Spencer Low
@spencerlow.com
Head of Regional Sustainability, Asia Pacific at Google. Chair of the Innovation Task Force of the United Nations ESCAP Sustainable Business Network.
According to a recent study from Stanford University, the US is bearing the biggest brunt of the economic losses inflicted by climate breakdown – compared to every other country in the world – and will likely continue to do so.
The US is now paying more than any other country for climate change damage, study suggests | BBC Science Focus Magazine
Despite being the biggest carbon emitter, the US is already paying a disproportionate price for the climate crisis.
sciencefocus.com
IEA: Solar overtakes all energy sources in a major global first
IEA: Solar overtakes all energy sources in a major global first
Global energy demand growth slowed in 2025 – but electricity use is still surging, and solar just hit a major milestone, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). more…
electrek.co
In the words of Winston Chow, #Singapore’s most prominent #climate scientist: “Singapore has always thrived by looking outwards. In an era defined increasingly by climate extremes, extending our adaptation efforts beyond our shores may prove to be one of the most strategic choices we can make.”
Science Talk: Climate change, S’pore’s adaptation strategy cannot wait for geopolitics to stabilise
S'pore, the ASEAN chair in 2027, can be the springboard for regional climate resilience. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
straitstimes.com
The world’s worst mega-leaks of the potent greenhouse gas #methane in 2025 have been revealed by an analysis of satellite data. Fixing a leak can be simple and equivalent to closing a coal power station, making lack of action maddening, say analysts.
Revealed: the world’s worst mega-leaks of methane driving global heating
Exclusive: Fixing a leak can be simple and equivalent to closing a coal power station, making lack of action maddening, say analysts
theguardian.com
A rather depressing read, and a timely reminder that we increasingly live in siloed #media bubbles. Some of us consume #climate stories constantly, but others clearly never hear anything about it. The latter may well change, but hopefully not in regrettable ways.
The planet is overheating. Why is the news looking away?
Since 2021, global media coverage of climate change has dropped 38 percent. Blame wars, political chaos, and Jeffrey Epstein.
grist.org
“During the last decade, the rate at which Earth warmed increased substantially. After removing the influence of known natural variability factors, the increase of the warming rate is statistically significant. At the present rate, we will exceed the 1.5°C limit of the Paris Climate Accord by 2030.”
Global Warming Has Accelerated Significantly
During the last decade, the rate at which Earth warmed increased substantially After removing the influence of known natural variability factors, the increase of the warming rate is statistically...
agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Singapore remains committed to #climate action, pursuing cross-border efforts via carbon trading agreements with 10 countries. However, recognizing emissions cuts are insufficient, Singapore will publish its national #adaptation plan in 2027 to protect infrastructure, public health, and coastlines.
S’pore stays firm on climate goals, will work on cross-border solutions like carbon credits: DPM Gan
It needs to prepare early for a world that will become increasingly carbon-constrained and climate-impaired, he added. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
straitstimes.com
There can be beauty in hope: these restored stepwells look architecturally fascinating.
Ancient stepwells brought back to life as India begins to run out of water
Centuries-old wells restored to provide drinking water as parts of the country head towards “day zero” when no water will be available
theguardian.com
“If a city is bold enough to create aggressive climate and decarbonization mandates, the private sector will come up with technology and business solutions to respond.”
A quiet geothermal boom could reshape how cities heat and cool — Scientific American
A new Brooklyn, N.Y. high-rise sits atop 320 geothermal boreholes. It’s a feat of waterfront engineering—and one blueprint for decarbonizing the North American skyline A drill rig operates at the mudd...
apple.news
Scientific American@sciam.bsky.social · 6mo agoA new Brooklyn, N.Y. high-rise sits atop 320 geothermal boreholes. It’s a feat of waterfront engineering—and one blueprint for decarbonizing the North American skyline
The South Australian government was criticised in the past for driving up electricity prices with its rapid adoption of #renewable #energy. At times, the state experienced spikes in electricity prices when the wind wasn’t blowing or the sun shining, and it had to fall back on expensive gas energy.
This state’s power prices are plummeting as it nears 100% renewables — New Scientist
South Australia is proving to the world that relying largely on wind and solar energy with battery back-up is incredibly cheap, with electricity prices tumbling by 30 per cent in a year and sometimes ...
apple.news
New Scientist@newscientist.com · 6mo agoSouth Australia is proving to the world that relying largely on wind and solar energy with battery back-up is incredibly cheap, with electricity prices tumbling by 30 per cent in a year and sometimes going negative
Time will tell. I suspect, sadly, that there needs to be an accumulative effect.
Hurricane Helene did not shift US climate views or votes, study finds
Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history, did not affect people's views on climate change or their intentions to vote for politicians advocating stricter climate policies. This ...
phys.org
Spain has called the “fight against #disinformation” a top priority after witnessing a surge in hate speech directed at #climate #scientists. This is primarily on X, fka Twitter. And yet, Elon Musk declared that “climate change is real” in 2017, and unabated CO2 emissions a “dangerous experiment”.
How online abuse became the norm for Europe’s climate scientists
Spain could begin cracking down on online abuse targeted at climate scientists after finding an “alarming” increase in hate speech.
euronews.com
The impacts of #climate change are occurring sooner than expected, but governments and businesses continue to underestimate the #risks, which could add up to trillions of dollars in #economic losses by 2050.
Sooner-than-expected climate impacts could cost the world trillions
A report warns that we may have seriously underestimated the rate of warming, which could damage economic growth
newscientist.com
“Some of the most #resilient countries are smaller ones. Dinosaurs grew too large and vanished; smaller organisms evolved and thrived. #Adaptation is the pathway to resilience, which can be measured by indicators such as #energy self-sufficiency, quality of governance, and social progress."
Why AlphaGeo CEO Dr Parag Khanna believes geography holds the key to the future
The founder of the AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform and renowned geopolitical strategist reveals why navigating geopolitical, climate, and infrastructure shifts is a blueprint for a more re...
thepeakmagazine.com.sg
Scientists warn that our understanding and perception of climate-fuelled risks are “limited and flawed” and could delay necessary climate action. Even when people recognise the real risks posed by climate change, many seem to perceive these risks as primarily affecting others.
‘Psychological bias’ to climate change risks slowing progress - study
Scientists warn that our understanding and perception of climate-fuelled risks are “limited and flawed”.
euronews.com
A sad state of affairs for Southeast #Asia at the end of 2025. #Adaptation and #resilience must attract more attention going forward, even while accelerating mitigation efforts.
Editorial | Asia’s floods a deadly reminder of need to combat growing climate threat
Devastating flooding and landslides have focused attention on disaster preparedness efforts as rising temperatures threaten the region.
scmp.com
Carbon capture was meant to help fix past emissions — not replace real cuts to fossil fuels. ECI Director Michael Obersteiner talks to Bloomberg UK about how negative emissions reshaped climate policy — and why we should be cautious ahead of #COP30. Read more: www.eci.ox.ac.uk/news/scienti...
The scientists who popularized carbon capture have a warning about it
eci.ox.ac.uk
The Norwegian research and intelligence company Rystad Energy recently released their new flagship report, Global Energy Scenarios 2025, on the next era of the global energy system. Rystad has constructed a Decarbonization Index based on three tasks:
Global Energy Scenarios Report 2025: The next energy era
New insights: Rystad Energy's flagship report Global Energy Scenarios 2025. Discover the latest insights on the future of the global energy system.
rystadenergy.com
The words “colonial leverage” in the subtitle detract from what is otherwise an excellent analysis, and perhaps reflect Western fears of tables being turned. “ #Decarbonisation, by this logic, is statecraft, not #climate stewardship.” I think it’s both, which makes it even more strategic.
China’s new green order
unherd.com
Interesting that Japanese investors consider the tech startup ecosystem in their own country to still be immature. Still, the facts are clear: there are over twice as many VC-backed startups in Europe than in Japan, per capita, and 4.3 times more unicorns. It’s likely even more skewed for greentech.
Japanese investors turn to Europe as deep tech boom lures capital abroad
Japanese investors participated in European financing rounds worth more than 33 billion euros ($38 billions) since 2019.
cnbc.com
Google released today a white paper on "Assessing Biological Ecosystems in Consumer Electronics Supply Chains: Northern Việt Nam Case Study", which details a novel approach to measuring and managing our ecosystem impacts within our consumer electronics supply chain. Key learnings are:
Assessing Biological Ecosystems in Consumer Electronics Supply Chains: Northern Việt Nam Case Study
Case study describing geospatial measurements and local insights to describe the state of ecosystem services in Northern Việt Nam consumer electronics supply chain sites.
sustainability.google
With COP30 about to get underway, Google has just announced yesterday the three ways we’re accelerating global action for our planet, leveraging environmental data and AI technologies to help nature and people flourish together.
How we’re using AI to help nature and people flourish together
Human wellbeing is deeply tied to the health of our planet. Here’s how we’re using AI to help nature and people flourish together.
blog.google
There is an increasing number of AI applications for grid management, and smart grids in ASEAN can help avoid losses from disruptions as well as create new economic opportunities and jobs. Congratulations to @ember-energy.org on this latest study.
Ember@ember-energy.org · 10mo agoNEW | Smart grids can cut power outages in ASEAN, avoiding $2.3 billion in annual GDP losses and creating up to 650,000 new jobs ⚡🌏 Replacing legacy grids with smart, flexible systems will reduce curtailment and boost reliability as renewables expand. https://loom.ly/i9lbBHo
“We have already entered the beginning of the age of non-tourism.” Let’s hope not, but lots of changes are definitely underway.
Heatwaves, wildfires and the hot summers that could change how we holiday
With rising temperatures causing chaos worldwide, what does it mean to be a tourist in a world on fire?
theguardian.com
A study by @pik-potsdam.bsky.social and @bokuvienna.bsky.social finds that 60% of global land areas are now already outside the safe zone, and 38% are even in the high-risk zone. This points to the link between biomass and natural carbon sinks, which can contribute to mitigating climate change.
PIK_climate@pik-potsdam.bsky.social · 12mo agoMore than half of the world’s land area is in a precarious state, according to a new study mapping the #PlanetaryBoundary of functional biosphere integrity - in spatial detail and across centuries. 38% of global land is already in the high-risk zone. 👇 www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/late...
The collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), a critical ocean current, can no longer be considered a low-likelihood event. This is according to a study published on August 29 via @ioppublishing.bsky.social. The tipping point may be reached in the next decade or two.
Shutdown of northern Atlantic overturning after 2100 following deep mixing collapse in CMIP6 projections - IOPscience
Shutdown of northern Atlantic overturning after 2100 following deep mixing collapse in CMIP6 projections, Drijfhout, Sybren, Angevaare, Joran R, Mecking, Jennifer, van Westen, René M, Rahmstorf, Stefa...
doi.org
An exciting announcement from the Korea Energy Super Week in Busan that just ended. It was great to get to hang out with KAIST's Associate Professor Haewon McJeon. @hmcjeon.bsky.social
Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment@andlingercenter.bsky.social · 11mo agoKAIST and AndlingerCenter (@acee.princeton.edu) launched Net-Zero Korea to accelerate Korea’s #energy transition. The project is powered by the Princeton’s Net-Zero America study framework, and supported by Google and industry partners. bit.ly/45Ta1G2
As the saying goes, if #climate change is a shark, then #water is its teeth. 🦈 Water is increasingly seen as a critical theme for adaptation efforts, especially in #Asia Pacific. Let's make sure technology and entrepreneurial energy are harnessed to provide innovative solutions at scale.
Abrahm@abrahm.bsky.social · last yr.The craziest discovery about our global water crisis -- besides the fact that the continents are drying -- is that groundwater pumping is now driving sea level rise. @hrishikeshac.bsky.social @jayfamiglietti.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/wate...
When livelihoods depend on extractive, unsustainable industries, there are tough tradeoffs: @theguardian.com Iraq’s marshes were considered an Eden with wetlands teeming with fish and wildlife. In a land threatened by drought and desertification, oil drilling is draining the last of the water.
Iraq’s marshes were considered an Eden. Now the oil industry is sucking them dry
Hawizeh’s wetlands once had abundant fishing and wildlife. In a land threatened by drought and desertification, oil drilling is draining the last of the water
theguardian.com
As the effects of climate change are felt across the Pacific, #Fiji has become an authority on the logistically and culturally fraught process of community relocation.
Faced with rising seas and falling aid, Fijian villages move uphill
As the effects of climate change are felt across the Pacific, Fiji has become an authority on the logistically and culturally fraught process of community relocation.
washingtonpost.com