Monday's on-site meeting of the new Earth Catalyst team was so successful it left me feeling energetically spent yesterday, so I took the day off the newsletter. Today we are back!

Time and again when I explore the most common causes of failure of efforts to change the world, a shortage of attention paid to managing personal capacity and well-being comes up. I can go pretty hard, for a long time, but a more nuanced strategy of cyclical exertion, active recovery, and growth, is much smarter than an out-of-control boom-and-bust way of doing things. This is something I've realized on a whole new level in the last year.

Email subscribers will find three stories just for you, a visual of the day and a quote of the day (both super downers, TBH), followed by the table of contents for the full set of 71 highlighted updates at the end of this email. As always, we're watching more than 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for these updates and we hope the ones selected for you will offer applicable tools and lessons to grow your efficacy and capacity.

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: About the COP29 Host Country

Lest we think leaders in international collaboration are well-poised to save us, here's Climate Action Tracker's report on the policies of petro-state and host of next month's COP29 conference Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan is among a tiny group of countries that has actually weakened its climate target in contradiction of the requirement of the Paris Agreement’s Article 4.3 that each Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submission will be more ambitious than its previous one. Azerbaijan's latest NDC (2023) is less ambitious than its predecessor, as it appears to have dropped its 2030 target altogether...Azerbaijan has not included the transition away from fossil fuels in its COP29 presidency agenda, a document which outlines the priorities for the upcoming summit."

Sounds like COP29 participants will be operating in the same context we all are: hosted by powerful parties set on extending the oil economy, consequences be damned. Given the upcoming US Presidential election just before that COP conference, it would behoove us all to prepare emotionally for good, as well as bad, news. Our work will continue to be needed either way.

Quote of the Day: COP29 Feelings

Quoted in John Englart's Australia at COP29 Climate Diary.  How much discomfort can you feel and still stay committed to acting in support of your values? That could be a good question to ask yourself. I can hold a lot, myself. Anger can be a useful container.

And now...

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• Agriculture (12 stories) - Genome-edited heat-tolerant tomatoes, electric tractors, toxic Roundup alternatives, IITA's African agriculture initiatives, and All G's precision fermentation dairy proteins

• Carbon (1 story) - Garnaut pushes for carbon pricing revival to drive Australia's net-zero ambitions

• Circular (2 stories) - Battery safety concerns and Hershey's low eco-rating prompt calls for responsible e-waste disposal and greener candy choices

• Ecosystems (13 stories) - Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, Land van Ons, Commonland, and Kunming-Montreal Framework initiatives address ecosystem restoration; Arctic vegetation shifts and Amazon connectivity loss highlight climate impacts.

• Efficiency (6 stories) - Passive building strategies, "energy vampires," Ghana's appliance efficiency efforts, BGO's NYC award, Franklin-inspired motors, and data center cooling breakthroughs

• Finance (4 stories) - Clean tech branding push, McKinney-James leads Nevada fund, deforestation finance urgency, energy stocks react to polls

• Grid (1 story) - Supply constraints and geopolitical risks threaten prolonged global gas crisis through 2025

• Indigenous (9 stories) - UN urged to act on Amazon threats; Caribbean hurricane vulnerability linked to colonial policies; Indigenous reserves expanded in Colombia; global summits highlight Indigenous voices in conservation efforts

• Industry (2 stories) - Lithium potential in Arkansas; Northvolt scales back European battery ambitions

• Policy (12 stories) - DOI's geothermal exploration fast-track, China's HFC-23 control policy, Southwest Gas rate hike, DOE community benefits metrics, and global climate policy debates

• Renewables (3 stories) - Thin-film solar at London Stadium, Kyoto Fusioneering's European expansion, and shifting costs for U.S. renewable and gas generators

• Transport (6 stories) - EV charging etiquette guide, cost savings analysis, Arkansas lithium discovery, airline price gouging, Shinkansen anniversary, and cruise ship tourism impacts

Agriculture

Genome-edited heat-tolerant tomatoes, electric tractors, toxic Roundup alternatives, IITA's African agriculture initiatives, and All G's precision fermentation dairy proteins

• Dark side of the genome: Inside Plantik’s mission to grow heat-tolerant crops through genome editing (AgFunderNews) - Plantik Biosciences has developed heat-tolerant tomatoes in just 12 months using genome editing, addressing climate change's impact on agriculture.

• Diesel vs. Electric Tractors: A Simple Breakdown and Comparison (Monarch Tractor) - Electric tractors boast quieter operation, lower emissions, and instant torque, but face higher initial costs and battery concerns compared to their diesel counterparts.

• New Roundup weedkiller 45 times more toxic to human health (Friends of the Earth) - New Roundup formulations containing diquat dibromide are 45 times more toxic to human health than glyphosate-based versions, contradicting Bayer's pledge to remove glyphosate from consumer products.

• Stewarding Success: Enhancing Access for Underserved Farmers in CSP (National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) - Despite exceeding funding mandates for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, a report reveals persistent enrollment gaps across states for underserved groups in the Conservation Stewardship Program.

• Australian precision fermentation startup All G plans bovine lactoferrin launch in 2025 (AgFunderNews) - Australian startup All G aims to profitably produce high-value dairy proteins, with plans to launch precision fermentation-derived bovine lactoferrin by 2025.

• Boosting soybean productivity in Africa: IITA-CGIAR hosts tricot on-farm trials workshop (CGIAR) - IITA-CGIAR workshop introduces Triadic Comparison of Technologies approach to enhance soybean on-farm trials, aiming to increase productivity across Africa.

• IITA empowers 35 seed certification officers to boost crop quality and strengthen food security in Togo (CGIAR) - IITA has trained 35 Togolese seed certification officers on yam, cassava, and sweet potato protocols, aiming to enhance crop quality and bolster food security in the West African nation.

• IITA supports young FCT farmers with input and machines to boost food security (CGIAR) - IITA's Youth in Agribusiness project has provided farm inputs and machinery to 135 young FCT farmers, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria.

• Angolan researchers sharpen soil management skills at Soils4Africa’s milestone workshop (CGIAR) - Angolan scientists enhance soil expertise at Soils4Africa workshop, focusing on advanced sampling methods and land management to improve agricultural information systems.

• IITA and China Agricultural University sign MoU to boost agricultural research and technology exchange (CGIAR) - The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and China Agricultural University have formalized a partnership to enhance agricultural research and technology sharing between Africa and China.

• Simeon Ehui: China’s Agricultural and Food Development Experience Can Provide Lessons for Africa (CGIAR) - China's agricultural modernization and food security strategies could provide crucial insights for tackling Africa's farming challenges, according to IITA Director General Simeon Ehui.

• LVC brings UNDROP as a tool to implement the UNDFF to address the concerns on the main pillars of the global food system, says Zainal Fuat at the UNDFF Forum (Via Campesina) - La Via Campesina promotes UNDROP as a means to implement UNDFF and tackle global food system challenges, focusing on peasant rights and agroecology instead of industrial farming.

Carbon

Garnaut pushes for carbon pricing revival to drive Australia's net-zero ambitions

• Let’s tax carbon: Ross Garnaut on why the time is right for a second shot at carbon pricing (The Conversation) - Economist Ross Garnaut advocates for carbon pricing's return in Australia, aiming to reach net-zero emissions and transform the nation into a renewable energy powerhouse.

Circular

Battery safety concerns and Hershey's low eco-rating prompt calls for responsible e-waste disposal and greener candy choices

• Proper Disposal of Batteries and Electronics Keeps Us All Safe (Eureka Recycling) - Experts warn that carelessly discarding lithium batteries and electronics in recycling bins can lead to fires and explosions, urging separate drop-off for these items to ensure safety.

• What’s the best Halloween candy that doesn’t hurt forests? (Environment America) - Hershey's poor environmental rating in the Chocolate Scorecard urges consumers to seek greener Halloween candy options, according to Environment America.

Ecosystems

• Restore the Mississippi River Delta Response to Status of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion (Restore the Mississippi River Delta) - Coalition backs Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project, urging Louisiana to meet obligations after federal trustees' reminder to restore Mississippi River Delta.

• 40 leading scientists express overwhelming support for Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan (Restore the Mississippi River Delta) - Forty prominent scientists have endorsed Louisiana's data-driven Coastal Master Plan in an open letter, highlighting its importance for the state's future.

• Presentaties over Land van Ons – Ontdek hoe jij kunt bijdragen (Land van Ons) - Dutch cooperative Land van Ons offers tailored presentations to boost farmland biodiversity and recruit members, showcasing opportunities for public involvement in agricultural conservation efforts.

• Join our CBD COP16 event: Finance for Holistic Landscape Restoration in Latin America and the Caribbean (Commonland) - Experts gather at CBD COP16 in Colombia to explore financing for holistic landscape restoration across Latin America and the Caribbean, with Commonland hosting a panel discussion and unveiling a new publication.

• The Canadian Arctic shows how understanding the effects of climate change requires long-term vision (The Conversation) - Long-term Arctic studies in Canada reveal substantial vegetation shifts, highlighting the crucial role of sustained scientific monitoring in comprehending climate change's effects.

• Australia at Biological Diversity COP16 in Columbia (Climate Citizen) - Australia reviews progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at UN COP16 in Colombia, facing pressure for increased funding and domestic action.

• Biodiversity increases organic nutrient availability across ecosystems (ETH Zurich) - Research reveals higher insect and spider diversity boosts essential fatty acid availability in ecosystems, with land use significantly affecting terrestrial systems.

• Conservation Florida and Palm Beach County to Expand Conservation Protection on More Than 31,000 Acres (Conservation Florida) - Palm Beach County has approved a resolution to safeguard over 31,000 acres of its natural areas through conservation easements, entrusting third-party land trusts with their protection.

• Botanical gardens play key role in biodiversity & climate conventions (commentary) (Mongabay) - Botanical gardens contribute significantly to climate and biodiversity efforts through research, conservation, and public education, yet remain an underutilized resource in global environmental strategies.

• Elusive wildcats may hold the key to healthier forests in Africa (Mongabay) - Researchers find leopards and golden cats potentially boost forest regeneration in Central Africa by influencing prey behavior and seed dispersal.

• Cambodian company strips protected areas of timber for export (Mongabay) - Investigation reveals Cambodian firm Angkor Plywood allegedly logged protected forests illegally, exporting valuable timber to Vietnam and China.

• The marvel of monarch migration (Environment America) - Monarch butterflies embark on a remarkable 3,000-mile journey from Canada to Mexico or California, navigating by the sun across generations, but face dwindling numbers due to habitat destruction and pesticides.

• Perda de conectividade na Amazônia fragiliza a floresta e seus povos, diz estudo apresentado na COP16 (Instituto Socioambiental) - Research unveiled at COP16 reveals Amazon's diminishing connectivity threatens forest resilience and indigenous communities, impacting environmental and cultural integrity.

Efficiency

Passive building strategies, "energy vampires," Ghana's appliance efficiency efforts, BGO's NYC award, Franklin-inspired motors, and data center cooling breakthroughs

• Resilient, Carbon-Free Buildings Are Within Reach (RMI) - A new report outlines strategies to integrate building resilience and decarbonization, focusing on passive measures to manage peak energy loads and enhance affordability.

• This Halloween, Beware of Energy Vampires (MCE) - Experts warn that "energy vampires" - devices consuming power while idle - can silently drain up to 10% of household energy, urging consumers to combat this spooky power waste.

• Ghana Climate Champion Kofi A. Agyarko Awarded 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award for Environmental Justice (IGSD) - Ghana's Kofi A. Agyarko has been honoured with the 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award for Environmental Justice, recognising his efforts to prevent the dumping of inefficient cooling appliances in the country.

• 757 Third Avenue Wins Earth Building of the Year at the 2024 New York City BOMA Pinnacle Awards (Cortex Building Intelligence) - BGO's 757 Third Avenue clinched the 2024 BOMA Earth Building Award, recognizing its exceptional environmental sustainability and ESG practices in New York City.

• Electric Motors Are About to Get a Major Upgrade Thanks to Benjamin Franklin (Wall Street Journal) - Researchers are modernizing Benjamin Franklin's 18th-century electrostatic motor concept, aiming to boost efficiency in electric motors using contemporary materials and methods.

• New Thermal Interface Material Could Cool Down Energy-Hungry Data Centers (UT News) - Researchers have developed a new thermal interface material that could slash cooling energy requirements in data centers by up to 13%, potentially transforming the industry's energy consumption.

Finance

Clean tech branding push, McKinney-James leads Nevada fund, deforestation finance urgency, energy stocks react to polls

• Early & Often: Why Climate Tech Companies Should Invest in Brand Building (Alder & Co.) - Climate tech firms are urged to invest early in brand building to differentiate themselves, reduce future costs, and boost growth potential in an increasingly competitive sector.

• Nevada Clean Energy Fund Advisory Council Appoints Rose McKinney-James as Chair (Nevada Clean Energy Fund) - Rose McKinney-James, renowned clean energy advocate and policy expert, has been named the first Chair of the Nevada Clean Energy Fund's Advisory Council, steering the organization's future initiatives.

• The clock is ticking: finance sector deforestation action must now go mainstream (Nature4Climate) - Financial experts call for urgent, widespread adoption of deforestation measures within the sector to meet climate targets and mitigate risks.

• Clean Energy Stocks Are Bracing for a Trump Victory (Heatmap News) - Clean energy stocks dip as Trump's poll numbers climb, despite bipartisan backing for IRA investments and interest rate impacts, reflecting investor worries over possible policy shifts.

Grid

Supply constraints and geopolitical risks threaten prolonged global gas crisis through 2025

• The gas crisis is not over yet (The Conversation) - Experts caution that the global gas crisis could extend to winter 2024-25, despite recent price drops, due to supply constraints and potential Middle East conflicts.

Indigenous

UN urged to act on Amazon threats; Caribbean hurricane vulnerability linked to colonial policies; Indigenous reserves expanded in Colombia; global summits highlight Indigenous voices in conservation efforts

• Indigenous Leaders Confront Criminal Economies at the United Nations: “We Are Protecting the Amazon for All of Us” (Amazon Watch) - Indigenous leaders urge UN action against criminal economies endangering the Amazon and its peoples, highlighting the critical role of Indigenous communities in safeguarding the rainforest.

• Colonialism’s legacy has left Caribbean nations much more vulnerable to hurricanes (The Conversation) - Colonial-era policies have heightened hurricane vulnerability in Caribbean nations through forced coastal settlement, unequal land ownership, and substandard construction practices.

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATEROLD TOWN WATER DISTRICT (Penobscot Nation) - Old Town Water District alerts residents to crucial drinking water information, as reported by the Penobscot Nation.

• Mocagua, Macedonia, El Vergel and Zaragoza Indigenous reserves expanded in Colombian Amazon (Andes Amazon Fund) - Colombia expands four Indigenous reserves by 418,547 acres in the Amazon, bolstering conservation efforts near Amacayacu National Park.

• Breathe (Climate Generation) - Melody Arteaga's journey from Mexico to California and Minnesota fuels her passion as an environmental justice organizer, driven by her family's experiences with air pollution and climate impacts.

• Australia’s Global ‘Nature Positive’ Summit features Indigenous voices, but little government action (Mongabay) - Indigenous voices featured prominently at Australia's Global 'Nature Positive' Summit, but government commitments to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation remained notably absent.

• ‘Treat us as partners, central actors’: Interview with Indigenous activist Joan Carling (Mongabay) - Indigenous activist Joan Carling urges recognition of Indigenous peoples as vital partners in conservation and climate efforts, emphasising land rights and traditional knowledge.

• The Panamanian shamans working to save their ancestral medicinal plants (Mongabay) - Panamanian shamans in Santa Marta village are safeguarding ancestral medicinal plant knowledge through a health clinic, booklet, and ethnobotanical study.

• Censo 2022: Alfabetização entre indígenas avança em todas as regiões do país (Instituto Socioambiental) - Brazil's 2022 Census reveals a nationwide surge in indigenous literacy, with illiteracy rates plummeting 35% since 2010.

Industry

Lithium potential in Arkansas; Northvolt scales back European battery ambitions

• Arkansas has enough lithium for the world’s EVs — but getting to it is the problem (The Verge) - Arkansas harbours lithium reserves potentially meeting global EV battery demand, but extraction hurdles persist, according to USGS estimates.

• Northvolt’s Struggles Are a Lesson for European Battery Projects: Scaling up Is the Top Priority (ABI Research) - European battery startup Northvolt cancels expansion plans and cuts 1,600 jobs amid production delays and lost contracts, underscoring challenges for similar projects across the continent.

Policy

DOI's geothermal exploration fast-track, China's HFC-23 control policy, Southwest Gas rate hike, DOE community benefits metrics, and global climate policy debates

• Community Organizing Youth Internship ’25 (Rogue Climate) - Rogue Valley's Winter 2025 youth internship offers 14-30 year olds climate justice training and a $500 stipend over 9 weeks.

• Advanced Geothermal Startup Praises Dept. of Interior’s New Categorical Exclusion That Will Accelerate Next-Gen Geothermal Exploration (Eavor) - The Department of Interior's proposed categorical exclusion aims to expedite geothermal exploration on federal lands, potentially reducing environmental review timelines for next-generation projects.

• HFC-23 China Policy Brief (IGSD) - China's new policy brief outlines efforts to control HFC-23 emissions, a potent greenhouse gas regulated under the Montreal Protocol, showcasing scientific findings and regulatory measures.

• Southwest Gas incessant in requesting back-to-back rate increases (Energy and Policy Institute) - Southwest Gas seeks an 11.88% rate hike in Arizona, aiming for increased equity returns and expense recovery, despite opposition from consumer advocates.

• Quality Metrics Can Help Deliver Community Benefits (RMI) - A new report proposes 16 key metrics to assess the Department of Energy's Community Benefits Plans, emphasizing engagement, workforce investment, equity, and Justice40 objectives.

• Robert Jenrick Endorsed by Notorious Climate Science Deniers (DeSmog) - Conservative MP Robert Jenrick's vow to scrap UK climate legislation has garnered support from leading climate science denial organisations, reports DeSmog.

• Australia at COP29 Climate Diary (Climate Citizen) - Australia's bid to host COP31 in 2026 faces scrutiny at COP29 in Baku, as the nation grapples with fossil fuel expansion and challenges in meeting emissions reduction goals.

• MAGA congressman says top priority is shutting down FEMA like the Department of Education (Raw Story) - Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett advocates dismantling FEMA and redirecting its funds to states, drawing parallels with the Department of Education during a conservative podcast appearance.

• Understanding How Alabama Power Makes Its Money (Energy Alabama) - Alabama Power's state-regulated profit margins contribute to Alabamians facing some of the country's highest electricity rates, according to Energy Alabama.

• Building Equity and Alignment for Environmental Justice Federal Grants Toolkit (Environmental Protection Network) - BEA unveils comprehensive Federal Grants Toolkit, providing environmental justice community leaders with step-by-step resources and personalized support to navigate the grant application process.

• Moving Towards a Clean Energy Future: The Crucial Role of State and Local Leadership (Acadia Center) - State and local leaders play a vital role in advancing clean energy initiatives and achieving climate targets, irrespective of shifts in federal administration, according to Acadia Center.

• 225 NGOs call on EU to reject delay to deforestation law (Mongabay) - NGOs worldwide urge EU to reject a proposed one-year delay in implementing anti-deforestation legislation, warning it could undermine credibility and benefit non-compliant companies.

Renewables

Thin-film solar at London Stadium, Kyoto Fusioneering's European expansion, and shifting costs for U.S. renewable and gas generators

• Ameresco to Revolutionise Stadium Sustainability with Innovative Thin Film PV Solution for London Stadium (Ameresco) - London Stadium's £3.5 million sustainability project will feature innovative thin-film solar panels, generating 850,000 kWh annually, as announced by energy services company Ameresco.

• THE FUSION ERA – KF’s Global Expansion: Launching KFEU and the Future Outlook for KF’s Newest Location (Kyoto Fusioneering) - Japanese fusion energy firm Kyoto Fusioneering expands globally, launching European subsidiary in Germany to enhance R&D and develop international supply chain.

• U.S. construction costs rose slightly for solar and wind, dropped for natural gas in 2022 (EIA) - Construction costs for U.S. solar and wind generators rose marginally in 2022, while natural gas-fired generators saw an 11% decrease, amidst a 27% overall decline in new electric-generating capacity investment.

Transport

EV charging etiquette guide, cost savings analysis, Arkansas lithium discovery, airline price gouging, Shinkansen anniversary, and cruise ship tourism impacts

• How to have great EV charging etiquette at home, at work, and everywhere else (SWTCHenergy) - A comprehensive guide details proper EV charging etiquette across different locations, stressing driver courtesy and compliance with local regulations.

• Businesses and Local Governments: It’s Never Been a Better Time to Electrify Your Vehicle Fleet (RMI) - New analysis reveals electric vehicles offer a 9% lower total cost of ownership compared to fossil fuel vehicles for most fleet scenarios, thanks to technological progress and Inflation Reduction Act incentives.

• What Lies Beneath Arkansas (Heatmap News) - A new USGS study indicates Arkansas could possess up to 19 million tons of lithium, potentially satisfying global electric vehicle battery demand nine times over by 2030.

• Companies That Fought Climate Action Accused of Price Gouging Hurricane Milton Evacuees (Truthdig) - Airlines face accusations of exploiting Hurricane Milton evacuees, with Florida evacuation flight prices soaring to over $1,000, despite many carriers' history of opposing climate action measures.

• How Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains changed the world of rail travel forever (CNN) - Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains, launched 60 years ago, transformed global rail travel with speeds reaching 200 mph, inspiring high-speed rail development worldwide.

• Growing cruise ship industry splits a Maine island town and worries Boston residents (Acadia Center) - Coastal communities in Maine and Massachusetts grapple with the environmental and social impacts of increasing cruise ship tourism, prompting debates over visitor limits and sustainability concerns.