Ukraine Russia attack

Ukraine, war and our world

Waking up to a world at war

It is hard to think about the environment when lives are being torn asunder by war.


I woke up this morning yearning for peace, mourning the harm and loss Ukrainians are experiencing, and hoping for better collective wisdom to guide us through this insanity.

At the top of my inbox this morning was a note from Katelyn Jetelina, a University of Texas epidemiologist who publishes the newsletter "Your Local Epidemiologist."

Posting on a global pandemic feels "insensitive without addressing a different kind of pain and suffering and tragedy that millions will soon face," she said. I concur.

Her wisdom is worth sharing:

"Just like the pandemic, many will also fall victim to mis and disinformation—a new tool that enemies have found to work swimmingly well in a time of anxiety and confusion. Please be sure to find (and share) only solid sources; preferably ones with a reporter on the ground in Ukraine. There are such things as disaster epidemiologists, so I hope they come to the forefront, too, ... to share the public health perspective of war or, more accurately, the devastating interaction between war and pandemic."

War and energy

With Russia serving as Europe's largest energy producer, early reporting has focused on how the global response is hindered by the EU's need for Russian natural gas.

But Russia is also a major provider of nickel, copper, cobalt – all necessary materials for alternative energy sources necessary in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Two stories of note:

Could Russian sanctions hobble U.S. clean energy push?

Norilsk Nickel Russia

Hans Olav Lien/Wikimedia Commons

Politico's Jael Holzman explores the metals market—and how reliant clean energy technologies are on exports from autocratic countries like Russia and China.

Key quote:

“Our concern is that our energy markets are so tied up with nations that do not share our values.”

Worth your time...

The Coming Energy Shock

Gasoline shortage florida 2021

CWMc/flickr

The Atlantic looks at the global energy market, Russia's immunity from foreign sanctions, and the havoc Russia could inflict on world markets.

"Any Russian retreat from world oil markets will jolt prices in ways that will be felt at gas pumps around the world."

Keep reading...

Some good news

In dark times I often turn back to Gary Snyder's short poem, "For the Children."

I need this today, and his advice at the end is worth carrying forward:

stay together
learn the flowers
go light

I'm grateful to our researcher, Autumn Spanne, who found this morsel of good news on the website Reasons to be Cheerful:

More women than ever are contributing to the next IPCC climate report

Women's Science March San Francisco

Matthew Roth/flickr

“Things are changing,” Miriam Gay-Antaki, an assistant professor of geography & environmental studies told reporter Jessica Kutz.

“People are realizing that attending to gender is not a nuisance but something that a lot of people actually want.”

Read the good news...

A fan blows on a woman laying down under a green mosquito net.

Heat waves scramble disease risks in ways we’re just starting to understand

Scientists are learning that heat waves can supercharge or suppress infectious diseases depending on when, where, and how they hit.

Liza Gross reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
white wind turbines on green grassy hills during daytime.

As Senate weighs wind and solar rollbacks, a look at how the GOP megabill threatens clean energy growth

The Senate is reviewing a sweeping House bill that would slash tax credits for wind, solar, and battery projects, potentially reversing clean energy gains and escalating electricity costs.

Christa Marshall reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
a silver and red train traveling down train tracks.
Credit: 7/Unsplash

Trump’s plan to cancel high-speed rail funding fuels stronger Democratic push for California project

President Donald Trump’s effort to cancel $4 billion in federal grants for California’s high-speed rail project is galvanizing Democrats and labor unions to secure long-term funding and keep construction on track.

Alex Nieves reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Coal plant with smoke billowing from a tower.

Trump blocks aging Michigan coal plant closure, igniting clash over clean energy rollback

A surprise federal order has forced Michigan to keep open an aging coal plant that state regulators and the utility had planned to shut down, highlighting President Trump’s push to revive fossil fuel power through federal intervention.

Evan Halper and Jake Spring report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
A wave cresting a stone barrier and flowing across a sidewalk.

Rising tides and outdated rules leave New Jersey shore towns vulnerable to flooding

New Jersey’s coastline faces more frequent flooding as sea levels rise faster than the global average, forcing towns and the state to grapple with long-term threats and contested climate policies.

Emilie Lounsberry reports for Inside Climate News.

Keep reading...Show less
gas stove range with burners lit.

Gas industry campaigns against California clean air rule meant to reduce home appliance pollution

A proposed clean air rule in Southern California that would curb emissions from gas heaters and water systems is facing a strong backlash from SoCalGas and its allies, delaying action as wildfire risk rises.

Hilary Beaumont reports for Floodlight.

Keep reading...Show less
A group of Czechia soldiers standing in a crowd.

Europe’s military climate goals fall short as nations ramp up defense spending

Just two of Europe’s 30 militaries have committed to net-zero emissions, even as defense budgets surge amid geopolitical tensions.

Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
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Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

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“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

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“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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