I took yesterday off in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, but now I'm back with updates to share from around the world. I am a big believer in letting people tell their own stories, and I'll tell you my favorite ways to do that with our Indigenous colleagues: reading updates from Cultural Survival, see for background this amazing 6 minute video about their radio campaign in Guatemala, and searching this custom search engine of 10 leading Indigenous news websites. That's a great way to include the perspective of varied Indigenous people in your thinking about anything.

Email subscribers: you’ll find three updates from organizations that are just for you. You'll find the table of contents for the full set of 67 updates at the end of this post.

Ok, let's go!

-Marshall Kirkpatrick

Founder, Earth Catalyst

Daily super-personalized email and strategic consulting based on two decades of tech startup trailblazing, now focused on green tech and sustainability.

Visual of the Day: Zillow Adds Climate Risk

This is a big deal, though the implementation is called into question by Robinson Meyer at Heatmap:

 "But few experts believe that tools like [data provider] First Street’s are capable of actually modeling the dangers of climate change at a property-by-property level....Not all of First Street’s data is seen as equally suspect. Its estimates of heat and air pollution risk have generally attracted less criticism from experts. But its estimates of flooding and wildfire risk — which are the most catastrophic events for homeowners — are generally thought to be inadequate at best."

Relatedly, check out the Allen AI Institute's Wildlands initiative with the University of Idaho and the Idaho Prescribed Fire Council. It's combining machine learning and citizen science (like a mobile app for photo uploading) to improve the state of fuel load estimation in wildland fire analysis.

Quote of the Day

From Why Indigenous-Led Management Is Integral to Reconciliation and Restoration Efforts, in the Center for Biological Diversity's publication The Revelator.

And now...

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (4 stories) - Solar-powered farming in Nigeria, insect-based protein production for lab meat, climate-resilient cowpea research in Africa, and global food security discussions at World Food Forum 2024

• Carbon (4 stories) - Bezos-backed GEOTrees, Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite, and Google's nuclear deal with Kairos Power advance emissions tracking and clean energy adoption

• Circular (1 story) - Spanish giants Zara, H&M, Primark, and IKEA to launch textile waste collection pilot ahead of EU rules

• Ecosystems (8 stories) - WWF report on wildlife decline, Nature-based Solutions guide for climate pledges, Earthlungs Reforestation partnership, Arctic walrus concerns, and UN biodiversity summit in Colombia

• Efficiency (4 stories) - Gridium's 4CP forecasting success, efficiency credits study, Minnesota's 80% energy reduction goal, and Washington's digital signature mandate for Clean Buildings Portal

• Finance (3 stories) - EDF Climate Corps, Zillow's climate risk data, and stalled global climate finance negotiations

• Grid (7 stories) - Uplight acquires AutoGrid, LiveEO showcases Treeline, advancements in lithium batteries, Biden's $612M grid resilience fund, Washington's resilience grants, Louisiana PSC candidates discuss electricity

• Indigenous (9 stories) - Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary, UN disaster resilience, GreenFaith webinars, Caatinga restoration, Indigenous food systems, Klamath River revegetation, Colombian climate resilience

• Industry (1 story) - Permian Basin methane leaks undermine "clean" hydrogen from natural gas, challenging federal subsidy eligibility

• Policy (16 stories) - UN strategies for Anticipatory Action, Project 2025 opposition in Hampton Roads, federal climate investments in Southern cities, and global initiatives like Climate Week NYC and the Global Humanities Alliance

• Renewables (6 stories) - Solar on brownfields, African renewables forum, U.S. solar supply chain, tidal power challenges, community solar for care homes, and SME solar benefits

• Transport (4 stories) - Stellantis showcases electrified lineup; Kaluza promotes utility-automaker partnerships; California fosters clean energy startups; global EV adoption accelerates with 85 million projected by 2025.

Agriculture

Solar-powered farming in Nigeria, insect-based protein production for lab meat, climate-resilient cowpea research in Africa, and global food security discussions at World Food Forum 2024

• Deji Ojo: Powering Nigeria's Agricultural Future (RMI) (RMI) - Ayodeji Ojo spearheads solar-powered initiatives to electrify smallholder farming in Nigeria, addressing climate change while enhancing incomes and reducing pollution in the agricultural sector.

• Human insulin... from black soldier flies? FlyBlast makes the case (FeedNavigator) (AgFunderNews) - Belgian startup FlyBlast engineers black soldier flies to produce human insulin and other proteins for lab-grown meat, potentially slashing costs by 95%.

• 7th World Cowpea Research Conference highlights climate-resilient technologies and food security (CGIAR) (CGIAR) - The 7th World Cowpea Research Conference in Benin explored innovative climate-resilient techniques and food security approaches for cowpea farming in Africa, addressing challenges faced by millions of smallholder farmers.

• World Food Forum: 2024 global flagship event opens in Rome (FAO) (FAO) - Global experts, youth leaders, and policymakers convene in Rome for the World Food Forum 2024, tackling agrifood system challenges and sustainable food security solutions.

Carbon

Bezos-backed GEOTrees, Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite, and Google's nuclear deal with Kairos Power advance emissions tracking and clean energy adoption

• Managing greenhouse gas emissions across scopes 1, 2, and 3 (3Degrees) (3Degrees) - Webinar series offers comprehensive guidance for businesses on measuring greenhouse gas emissions across all three scopes.

• Bezos-Backed 'GEOTrees' Will Earn Rainforest Nations Carbon Finance (Source not provided) (Forbes) - The GEOTrees project, backed by Jeff Bezos, seeks to establish a worldwide standard for measuring forest carbon sequestration, potentially unlocking carbon financing for rainforest nations.

• Methane mapping (Carbon Mapper) - Tanager-1 satellite, launched by Carbon Mapper, commences global methane emissions tracking and public data release, marking a significant step in climate monitoring efforts.

• Google inks nuclear deal for next-generation reactors (The Verge) (The Verge) - Google partners with Kairos Power to buy electricity from small modular nuclear reactors by 2035, supporting its carbon-free energy goals and AI ambitions.

Circular

Spanish giants Zara, H&M, Primark, and IKEA to launch textile waste collection pilot ahead of EU rules

• Zara, H&M, Primark and IKEA launch textile waste pilot (Future Planet) - Major Spanish fashion retailers, including Zara, H&M, Primark, and IKEA, will initiate a voluntary textile waste collection pilot in April 2025, anticipating upcoming EU regulations.

Ecosystems

WWF report on wildlife decline, Nature-based Solutions guide for climate pledges, Earthlungs Reforestation partnership, Arctic walrus concerns, and UN biodiversity summit in Colombia

• Guide for Including Nature in Nationally Determined Contributions (Nature4Climate) - New guide presents 15 recommendations for incorporating Nature-based Solutions into nations' 2025 climate pledges, aiming to boost emissions cuts and ecosystem resilience.

• Climate Action Now Reforestation Site Nursery (Climate Action Now on YouTube) (Climate Action Now) - A nursery supplying seedlings for reforestation efforts, in partnership with Earthlungs Reforestation, supports Climate Action Now's users and subscribers in their environmental initiatives.

• How Climate Change Is Strengthening Hurricanes (Climate One on YouTube) (Climate One) - Rising ocean temperatures have led to more powerful hurricanes, with recent storms Helen and Milton exhibiting higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and greater destructive force.

• Ugandan artist selected for International Day for DRR Art Competition (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - Ugandan student Racheal Musiimenta's artwork, inspired by a landfill collapse, secures her victory in the 2024 Disaster Risk Reduction Art Competition and a spot at the 9th Africa Regional Platform in Namibia.

• Have you ever seen a walrus? (Climate One on YouTube) (Climate One) - Marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson cautions that walruses are imperiled by Arctic ice melt, with ice-free summers possible within 10 years.

• New report: A staggering 73% drop in wildlife populations (Source not provided) (Environment America) - Global wildlife populations have plummeted by 73% since 1970, with freshwater species and Latin American regions bearing the brunt of the decline, a new World Wildlife Fund report reveals.

• Why biodiversity credits cannot work (commentary) (Mongabay) (Mongabay) - Conservationist Byron Swift contends biodiversity credits are inherently flawed for tackling the extinction crisis, pointing to problems with market incentives, transaction costs, and implementation hurdles.

• Your guide to the UN biodiversity summit (Conservation International) - The UN biodiversity summit in Colombia will evaluate progress on the 30x30 goal, explore climate-nature connections, and address the $700 billion annual funding shortfall for conservation efforts.

Efficiency

Gridium's 4CP forecasting success, efficiency credits study, Minnesota's 80% energy reduction goal, and Washington's digital signature mandate for Clean Buildings Portal

• 4CP Season 2024: A Look Back & Lessons Learned (Gridium) (Gridium) - Gridium's 4CP demand forecasting service accurately predicted half of Texas' peak electricity demand periods in summer 2024, aiding building operators in managing high-cost energy charges.

• Energy Code Decarbonization Pathway to Accommodate the Ninth Circuit Court Ruling (2050 Partners) (2050 Partners) - New study suggests efficiency credits as alternative pathway to decarbonize buildings, addressing recent court ruling on fossil fuel equipment bans.

• Efficiency First (2050 Partners) (2050 Partners) - Minnesota aims to slash commercial building energy consumption by 80% by 2036, backed by a new partnership promoting advanced energy codes and an efficiency-first strategy.

• Clean Buildings Bulletin (Clean Buildings Bulletin) - Washington State's Clean Buildings Portal will mandate digital signatures for all applications from October 14, 2024, impacting submissions for Early Compliance, Exemption, and Early Adopter Incentive Programs.

Finance

EDF Climate Corps, Zillow's climate risk data, and stalled global climate finance negotiations

• Seeking Increased Sustainability Capacity? Host an EDF Climate Corps Fellow (EDF+Business) (EDF+Business) - EDF's Climate Corps program pairs organizations with graduate student fellows for 10-12 weeks in summer 2025, aiming to enhance sustainability efforts and address climate issues.

• Can Zillow's Climate Risk Data Protect You From Flooding? (Heatmap News) (Heatmap News) - Zillow's new climate risk data for home listings offers valuable insights, despite limitations, when combined with local knowledge and additional sources.

• Climate Finance Goal Deadlock, Biden Invests in Grid Resilience, Helene's Threat to Tech, and More (Source not provided) (ClimateProof.news) - Negotiations on a new global climate finance target to replace the expiring $100 billion goal have stalled, with nations unable to agree on the amount and structure of future funding.

Grid

Uplight acquires AutoGrid, LiveEO showcases Treeline, advancements in lithium batteries, Biden's $612M grid resilience fund, Washington's resilience grants, Louisiana PSC candidates discuss electricity

• The Regulator's Dilemma Part One: Virtual Power Plants (Uplight) (Uplight) - Energy software firm Uplight expands its capabilities in flexible capacity management and customer engagement through the acquisition of AutoGrid.

• Now Let's Really Leverage Virtual Power Plants (Uplight) (Uplight) - Energy software firm Uplight expands its virtual power plant capabilities by acquiring AutoGrid, enhancing its flexible capacity management offerings.

• Meet us at Enlit Europe 2024 (LiveEO) (LiveEO) - Satellite-based vegetation management firm LiveEO will present its Treeline solution for utilities at Enlit Europe 2024 in Milan, October 22-24.

• New Lithium Battery Technology Set to Disrupt Storage Market (BloombergNEF) (BloombergNEF) - Emerging lithium battery technologies, featuring silicon-based anodes and solid-state electrolytes, are set to transform the energy storage market with enhanced performance and density.

• Biden surveys Milton damage in Florida and announces funding for electric grid (Source not provided) (NPR) - Biden tours Hurricane Milton's aftermath in Florida, unveiling $612 million for national grid resilience, with $94 million earmarked for the state's utilities.

• Grid resiliency grant deadline is fast approaching (Washington Department of Commerce) - Washington's Department of Commerce announces deadlines for grid resilience grants in October 2024 and April 2025, prioritising projects that enhance clean, affordable, and reliable energy amid climate challenges.

• LPSC Forum Recap - Recording Now Live (Alliance for Affordable Energy) - The recording of a recent forum featuring Louisiana Public Service Commission District 2 candidates discussing electricity issues and answering questions is now available for public viewing.

Indigenous

Chumash Heritage Marine Sanctuary, UN disaster resilience, GreenFaith webinars, Caatinga restoration, Indigenous food systems, Klamath River revegetation, Colombian climate resilience

• Biden-Harris Administration Establishes Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, A Landmark for Tribal-Led Conservation (Greenpeace USA) (Greenpeace USA) - The Biden-Harris Administration has designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off California's coast, marking the first Indigenous-nominated marine protected area in U.S. history.

• Enhancing the science–policy linkages using traditional and Indigenous knowledge (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - UN report urges incorporation of traditional and indigenous wisdom into disaster risk reduction strategies, emphasizing a scientific, collaborative approach to boost resilience and adaptability.

• Cycle de webinaires "Voix de la Terre" (GreenFaith) - French environmental group GreenFaith unveils three-part webinar series for 2024-2025, focusing on decolonial ecology, eco-theology, and activist self-care.

• III Encontro do Redário - fortalecendo e ampliando a base (Instituto Socioambiental on YouTube) (Instituto Socioambiental) - The third Redário Meeting in Juazeiro bolstered seed collector networks and established governance frameworks for ecological restoration in Brazil's Caatinga biome.

• Knowledge and tradition coalesce at the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems (FAO) (FAO) - Experts converge in Rome to spotlight Indigenous knowledge's role in transforming sustainable food systems at the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems event.

• Yurok Crew Resumes Revegetation Work Behind Former Klamath Dams (Yurok Tribe) (Yurok Tribe) - Yurok Fisheries Department restarts extensive revegetation efforts along the newly undammed Klamath River, aiming to bolster salmon populations and restore the ecosystem.

• Women's network for environmental advocacy and climate resilience: a model for social innovation (CGIAR) (CGIAR) - Colombian women's environmental network showcases successful approach to climate resilience and gender equity, featuring strong centralization around a key NGO.

• 15 Calls to Action on Indigenous Peoples Day! (Cultural Survival) - Indigenous Peoples Day gains momentum with 15 calls to action, urging an end to Columbus Day and promoting support for Indigenous communities and cultures.

• Why Indigenous-Led Management Is Integral to Reconciliation and Restoration Efforts (The Revelator) (The Revelator) - Indigenous-led management and traditional knowledge prove vital for conservation, sustainable resource use, and reconciliation efforts, offering alternatives to Western scientific approaches in environmental stewardship.

Industry

Permian Basin methane leaks undermine "clean" hydrogen from natural gas, challenging federal subsidy eligibility

• Everything's Bigger in Texas, Including Hydrogen Emissions (Heatmap News) (Heatmap News) - Study reveals Texas' Permian Basin methane emissions render "clean" hydrogen production from natural gas unfeasible, despite potential billion-dollar subsidies under federal standards.

Policy

UN strategies for Anticipatory Action, Project 2025 opposition in Hampton Roads, federal climate investments in Southern cities, and global initiatives like Climate Week NYC and the Global Humanities Alliance

• Climate Week 2024 Recap (Keyframe Capital) - Climate Week 2024 in NYC saw over 150 attendees at a key breakfast event, among various climate tech gatherings including discussions, sports activities, and decarbonization roundtables.

• Radical Project 2025's "Fat Cat" Policy Proposals Are Rejected By Virginians in Hampton Roads (CCAN Action Fund) (CCAN Action Fund) - Hampton Roads residents overwhelmingly oppose Project 2025's corporate-friendly policies, with 73% expressing concerns about environmental and community impacts, according to a recent survey.

• Federal funding is sparking climate progress (Southern Environmental Law Center) (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Federal investments are propelling climate action across Southern cities, funding EV charging networks, energy-efficient building upgrades, and eco-friendly infrastructure projects.

• DRR financing workshop (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - Officials from 14 nations received training on crafting national financing frameworks for disaster risk reduction investments during a capacity-building workshop.

• Briefing note on anticipatory action: An innovative tool at the intersection of disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - UN report outlines strategies to scale up Anticipatory Action, aiming to reduce disaster risks and enhance humanitarian response through improved analytics, financing, and sustainable systems.

• Reflection from North East Climate Forum '24 (Climate Group on YouTube) (Climate Group) - The North East Climate Forum in Shillong fostered collaboration on climate action strategies for carbon-neutral yet vulnerable North East India, promoting regional knowledge sharing and unified goals.

• Scorecard for disaster-proofing critical assets (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - The UN's Principles for Resilient Infrastructure Scorecard, successfully applied in Queensland, Australia, aids in evaluating and enhancing the resilience of critical assets against disasters.

• Applying a "cascading disasters" approach: Warning of non-seismically induced tsunamis in Indonesia (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - Indonesia's tsunami warning system struggles to detect non-seismic events, exposing interagency gaps and underscoring the necessity for enhanced cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Co-knowledge production linking science, communities and public policy under deep uncertainty in a modern risk society in Japan (UNDRR) (UNDRR) - Japanese researchers examine a collaborative knowledge system connecting scientific findings, local insights, and governmental strategies to tackle complex disaster risks in an increasingly uncertain world.

• A Story About a YEA! Alum (Climate Generation) (Climate Generation) - Former YEA! participant Athena Geer's journey from student to Youth Climate Justice Coordinator exemplifies the program's success in empowering youth for climate action.

• New alliance to enhance global impact of the humanities (University of Melbourne) - Eight leading universities unite to form the Global Humanities Alliance, aiming to amplify the worldwide influence of humanities and social sciences through joint research and educational programs.

• Nobelist Daron Acemoglu Has Thoughts About Climate Change (Heatmap News) (Heatmap News) - Renowned economist Daron Acemoglu challenges conventional climate models, urging stronger clean technology policies to address global warming more effectively.

• De-fund the Tone Police (Drilled) - Climate activists face growing legal challenges as critics debate protest methods, overlooking the potential advantages of varied communication approaches in the fight against global warming.

• Love Is Blind' Star Taylor Krause Has a New Policy Paper (Heatmap News) (Heatmap News) - "Love Is Blind" star Taylor Krause, an RMI policy manager, co-authors a white paper detailing strategies for clean hydrogen producers to comply with proposed government standards.

• Join us for Upcoming Events & Open House this Saturday! (Columbia Climate School) - Columbia Climate School announces a series of events from October 15-25, 2024, featuring seminars, conferences, and an open house at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

• People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help (The Conversation) (The Conversation) - Census data shows hurricane displacement disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, causing long-term mental health issues and recovery difficulties for affected populations.

Renewables

Solar on brownfields, African renewables forum, U.S. solar supply chain, tidal power challenges, community solar for care homes, and SME solar benefits

• Advancing Low-Impact Solar Development on Brownfields (Great Plains Institute) (Great Plains Institute) - GPI and The Nature Conservancy advocate for solar development on brownfields and ex-mine lands, aiming to boost clean energy while protecting greenfields and supporting local communities.

• Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa Kicks off Investment Forum in Nairobi (IRENA) - The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa launches an investment forum in Nairobi, aiming to mobilize substantial funding for the continent's energy transition and green industrialization efforts.

• The Green Light Podcast Featured by UtilityDive (Dylan Green) (UtilityDive) - UtilityDive highlights Dylan Green's Green Light Podcast, which explores strategies to address U.S. solar supply chain challenges and enhance clean energy production and employment opportunities.

• As tidal power rides a wave of clean energy optimism, pitfalls persist (Unknown source) (Mongabay) - Tidal stream power emerges as a promising renewable energy source, yet grapples with financial, ecological, and expansion hurdles on its path to commercial viability.

• Brunelcare joins BEC's rooftop revolution (Bristol Energy Cooperative) (Bristol Energy Cooperative) - Brunelcare's Deerhurst Care Home has installed 226 community-owned solar panels, projected to save £9,200 annually and cut carbon emissions by 17.4 tonnes per year.

• Significant cost-saving opportunity for SMEs with solar adoption (Sun Exchange) (Sun Exchange) - SMEs can slash operating costs and boost energy reliability by up to 40% through risk-free solar power adoption, according to Sun Exchange's latest analysis.

Transport

Stellantis showcases electrified lineup; Kaluza promotes utility-automaker partnerships; California fosters clean energy startups; global EV adoption accelerates with 85 million projected by 2025.

• Stellantis Brings Winning Global Portfolio to Paris Motor Show 2024 With Full Menu of Stylish, High-Tech Electrified Vehicle Debuts (Stellantis) (Stellantis) - Stellantis unveils an array of electrified vehicles from four brands at Paris Motor Show 2024, advancing its strategic plan for the decade ahead.

• Could automaker partnerships win utilities' fight for EV customers? (Kaluza) (Kaluza) - Automaker collaborations may boost utilities' appeal to EV owners through integrated smart charging and enhanced customer experiences, suggests energy tech firm Kaluza.

• NEX Level Keynote: Access California's Rich Clean-Energy Ecosystem & Abundant Opportunities (New Energy Nexus on YouTube) (New Energy Nexus) - California's clean energy sector presents diverse opportunities for startups, backed by state agencies and universities, in areas including energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and zero-emission transportation.

• Gartner Forecasts 85 Million Electric Vehicles Will Be on the Road by End of 2025 (Gartner) (Gartner) - Global electric vehicle numbers are set to surge, with 85 million expected on roads by 2025, and battery-powered models accounting for nearly three-quarters of the total.