Climate Desk

STORIES FROM MOTHER JONES AND ITS PARTNERS

Last week, Donald Trump dropped the climatic equivalent of an atomic bomb. Our Climate Desk partners were all over it—see the links in our newsletter. The darkness below captures the mood of the reactions to the administration's reckless move.

Citing National Security, Trump Has Abandoned Fenceline Monitoring at Coke Ovens - Inside Climate News The administration ended a program that documented excessive levels of a carcinogen at industrial facilities across the country. Environmental groups who say the move leaves polluted communities behin...

The Trump administration says coke ovens can skip new pollution monitoring for 2 years. Nearby Alabama residents have lived with toxic coke oven pollution for generations. Now, the battle Charlie Powell helped lead continues after environmental groups file suit against the administration.

Trump named ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by industry group Award was presented as president directed Pentagon to buy billions of dollars’ worth of energy from coal plants

Yet more nonsense awards for America's narcissist-in-chief.

So pathetic. He's made this nation a global embarrassment.

China Could Reach Peak Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sooner Than Beijing Planned, New Report Suggests - Inside Climate News Falling emissions from the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter could mean a global turning point.

If China reaches peak emissions in ‘26 and ‘27, as a new report suggests it could, the world will reach a climate milestone.

After the Outbreak - bioGraphic A northern gannet colony devastated by avian influenza is slowly recovering—and so are the researchers who witnessed the virus’s wrath.

After the Outbreak

A northern gannet colony devastated by avian influenza is slowly recovering—and so are the researchers who witnessed the virus’s wrath.

by @rheisman.bsky.social

www.biographic.com/after-the-ou...

Trump just blew up a load-bearing pillar of climate regulation in the US. What happens now? First, lawsuits.

First, lawsuits. www.vox.com/climate/4789...

Offshore wind showed up big during the East Coast’s brutal cold America’s two utility-scale offshore wind farms performed as well as gas power plants and better than coal in January — including during Winter Storm Fern.

Offshore wind is under attack. It’s also a huge reason the Northeast’s grid held up during a weekslong cold spell.

Trump crowned ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by coal advocacy group Anointment was made as president directed the Pentagon to buy billions of dollars worth of energy from coal plants

Trump crowned ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by coal advocacy group

Corb Lund wants to 'save the soul' of Alberta from coal On Tuesday, Elections Alberta approved a citizen's initiative petition spearheaded by Albertan country singer Corb Lund that would force the provincial government to ban coal in the Eastern Rockies.

"Well they can drill or they can mine,
On my smouldering bones,
This my prairie,
And this is my home."

How the guy who wrote that line presents a different vision of Albertans to a world that more often sees a caricature.

The ick factor won’t stop alt meat, if Bruce Friedrich has anything to say about it In his new book, "MEAT," Bruce Friedrich of the Good Food Institute addresses the consequences of humanity’s love of meat and advocates for meat alternatives—alt meat—to feed a growing population and…

In his new book, "MEAT," Bruce Friedrich @brucefriedrich.bsky.social of the Good Food Institute @gfi.org advocates for meat alternatives—alt meat—to feed a growing population and fight climate change.

Bulletin senior advisor Rachel Bronson @rb312.bsky.social gives her review.

A new Ohio bill could be a de facto statewide ban on solar and wind The state is mulling a bill that calls for all new generation to be “affordable, reliable, and clean” — but its strained definitions would exclude…

Renewable energy could see dark days ahead if Ohio lawmakers push through an ALEC-backed bill with strained definitions for "affordable, reliable, and clean." @canarymedia.com @ejtodaynews.bsky.social www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...

Climate leaders condemn Trump EPA’s biggest rollback yet: ‘This is corruption’ Leaders promise to fight back with court challenges as Trump rescinds finding foundational to US climate rules

Climate leaders condemn Trump EPA’s biggest rollback yet: ‘This is corruption’

‘The Sky Isn’t Falling’: Providing Perspective on the Data Center Boom - Inside Climate News States are well-equipped to deal with data centers, and a new forecast shows what will drive growth in global electricity demand.

How worried should we be about the data center boom? I wrote this week about some of the reasons to dial back on panic. In short, there is a hype cycle playing out. While there is cause for concern, "The sky isn't falling," as one expert told me.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1202202...
#energysky

‘We’re making progress’: why Coach’s designer is not giving up on sustainable fashion Stuart Vevers wants the luxury brand to keep championing upcycled materials and reduce landfill waste

‘We’re making progress’: why Coach’s designer is not giving up on sustainable fashion

Growing evidence points to link between autism and wildfire smoke Two new studies have identified an alarming connection between exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy and autism in young children.

There is no evidence that vaccines cause autism, but there is growing research that shows a link between wildfire smoke exposure in pregnant mothers and autism diagnoses. Two studies published in the last month indicate wildfire smoke has profound neurological impacts: grist.org/health/growi...

We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp, say Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis

We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps, write @jasonhickel.bsky.social and @yanisvaroufakis.bsky.social

- democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp

#climatecrisis
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Trump’s beef trade deal is a lose-lose gamble that won't lower prices There's no two ways about it: Eating more beef is bad for the planet and the climate.

Trump’s beef trade deal is a lose-lose gamble that won’t lower prices

There’s no two ways about it: Eating more beef is bad for the planet and the climate.

grist.org/food-and-agr...

#Beef #Meat #Climate #Argentina

With Renewables Ascendant in China, Coal Is Moving Into a Supporting Role In China, the rapid buildout of wind and solar power is pushing coal into decline. To aid the shift to renewables, China is upgrading its vast fleet of coal plants to serve as a complement to wind and solar, rather than as a source of baseload power. Analysts say the country is on track to retrofit almost every coal plant by the end of next year.

In China, the rapid buildout of wind and solar power is pushing coal into decline.

To aid the shift to renewables, China is now upgrading its vast fleet of coal plants to serve as a complement to wind and solar, rather than a source of baseload power.

Security strategies ignoring climate crisis are ‘dangerously narrow’, UN’s climate chief says Simon Stiell tells audience that emissions escalate climate extremes, fuelling famine, displacement and war

Security strategies ignoring climate crisis are ‘dangerously narrow’, UN’s climate chief says

‘People like cheap energy’: the bagel shop saving money and emissions with plug-in batteries A pilot scheme in Brooklyn is giving businesses batteries to form an electricity storage network – part of a growing number of innovative DIY energy ideas around the world

‘People like cheap energy’: the bagel shop saving money and emissions with plug-in batteries

BC cedes the driver’s seat on EVs, deferring to Ottawa's strategy Energy Minister Adrian Dix said BC won’t be reinstating its own EV purchase rebates and will instead focus on strengthening the province's charging network. BC will also drop, rather than relax, the r...

On yet another climate policy, BC shifts from leader to follower.

www.nationalobserver.com/2026/02/12/n...

How MAHA Exploits the Flaws of Modern Science Opinion | The weaknesses in science’s processes have been weaponized against it. It’s time to confront those flaws and fix them.

C. Brandon Ogbunu calls for rethinking how research is rewarded, evaluated, and shared to strengthen science from within.

N.C. Judge Upholds the State’s Limits on 1,4-Dioxane Pollution in Utilities’ Wastewater - Inside Climate News The chemical, used in solvents, degreasers and some consumer products, is a likely carcinogen that can harm the liver and kidneys.

“Compliance with regulations and a desire to maintain or improve public health cannot be said to be a bad faith decision."
Wake judge rules vs Asheboro, says NCDEQ can limit amount of 1,4-dioxane-a likely carcinogen-- city discharges into drinking water supply.
insideclimatenews.org/news/1102202...

Portugal urged to adapt to climate emergency after country battered by successive storms Continuing extreme weather has caused deaths of 16 people, evacuation of thousands and destruction of homes

Portugal urged to adapt to climate emergency after country battered by successive storms

NineDot Energy raises big money for small batteries in New York City New York needs more reliable power, fast. NineDot’s $431 million in new financing will help solve that problem with batteries scattered across the city.

NineDot Energy just raised $431 million to build batteries in New York City’s vacant nooks and crannies — a critical endeavor as electricity shortages loom.

Oatly banned from using word ‘milk’ to market plant-based products in UK Swedish company claims ruling is anti-competitive and ‘solely benefits Big Dairy’

This is such a waste of everyone's time and of government resources. Let people use normal words that have been flexibly used in many contexts for centuries ffs

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp, say Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis

We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps | Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis

California has abundant solar power. Here’s how factories can use it. High electricity costs in California have slowed industrial decarbonization in the state. New industrial rates and other fixes could change that, experts…

In California, new electricity rates will encourage large customers to shift their work to the solar power-rich daytime. Here’s how it could boost industrial decarbonization.

Alex Kirby obituary Other lives: Environment journalist at the BBC and former church minister dedicated to chronicling the climate crisis

A lovely obituary for Alex Kirby, a brilliant environment correspondent for the BBC, and more besides

I was fortunate to work with him for a while and I learned a lot from him

He was also a really lovely man and I will miss him

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Fight Over US Climate Rules Is Just Beginning As the EPA moves to roll back the endangerment finding, which allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, experts predict uncertainty for business and a protracted legal fight.

As the EPA moves to roll back the endangerment finding, which allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, experts predict uncertainty for business and a protracted legal fight. www.wired.com/story/the-fi...