environmentTuesday, September 1, 2026
Today's environment coverage is bookended by loss and logistics. The death of Wendell Berry at 92 closes a chapter on agrarian thought, while a new report on solar panel recycling exposes a yawning gap between aspiration and reality. In between, the AI arms race gets a European solution pitch, and Colorado takes oil companies to the Supreme Court.
Two stories set the day's tone: one about a life that shaped how we think about land, the other about what we do with the hardware that powers modern life.
Wendell Berry, the Kentucky farmer and writer who became the conscience of sustainable agriculture, has died at 92. His work argued for local economies and stewardship of the land, ideas that feel more urgent than ever.
A new report finds that only about 90% of retired American solar panels are actually recycled, while South Korea aims to scale its processing capacity from 1,222 tons last year to 120,000 tons annually by 2030. The gap is being filled by shipping panels from US shredding plants across the Pacific.
Courts and regulators are the arena today, with lawsuits against the Trump EPA and oil companies, and a push for grid integration in Indonesia.
Environmental groups have sued the Trump administration over the EPA's approval of trifludimoxazin, a 'forever chemical' herbicide used on major crops. The suit argues the agency ignored the chemical's cancer risks.
Boulder, Colorado is taking Exxon and Suncor to the Supreme Court, seeking damages for climate adaptation costs after the Marshall Fire. The case could set a major precedent for holding oil companies liable for extreme weather.
IEEFA is pushing Indonesia to fold its 100 GW solar plan into the national electricity framework instead of treating it as a standalone target. Utility-scale solar is now up to 44% cheaper than coal, making integration the smart financial move.
From Bill Gates to Bernie Sanders, most agree the AI arms race is disastrous. Only Europe can make it stopwww.theguardian.com
Superb fairywrens disappearing in Australia’s capital: Conserving insects could help save themnews.mongabay.com
Breakthrough Evidence: Nuclear Fusion 'Flaw' Could Actually Be Part of The Solutionwww.sciencealert.com
San Francisco residents can now choose where EV curbside chargers goelectrek.co
Turnbull turns to battery storage, with giga-scale plan for near Melbournereneweconomy.com.au
Mild winter and abundant rooftop solar sends grid demand to record lows – just 2 MW in one statereneweconomy.com.auAgroecology – A Way Out for Cambodian Farmers Facing Debt Crisiscambojanews.com
Rural Cambodian farmers are increasingly adopting agroecology farming practices to combat rising costs of modern agricultural inputs and low harvest yields, viewing it as a crucial strategy for financial survival and climate resilience. A recent forum co-organized by national and
Fox News Poll: Cool your servers! Voters reject data centerswww.foxnews.com
A Fox News poll reveals that 70% of U.S. voters oppose building new data centers in their local areas, citing environmental concerns regarding energy and water usage. While there is a broad national opposition, support varies significantly by demographic: MAGA supporters and Repu
Disasters to cost world $450bn a year from climate change and developmentft.trib.al
The article discusses the projected annual global cost of disasters, estimated at $450 billion, driven by climate change and development factors. A key finding highlighted is that more than half of these financial losses are not covered by insurance, as carriers increasingly carv
Cloover turns profitable at $350M revenue run rate and secures $100M financing facilitytech.eu
Cloover, an energy platform for residential solar and heat pumps, has achieved profitability three years after launch with a revenue run rate exceeding $350 million. The company secured a new $100 million financing facility, backed by a $350 million guarantee from the European In
Indiana's governor demands probe of power utility during tour of storm-ravaged Gary - Chicago Sun-Timeschicago.suntimes.com
Following a severe storm in Northwest Indiana that left thousands without power, Governor Eric Holcomb announced a state investigation into the preparedness of local utility NIPSCO. The article highlights the personal impact on residents, such as Brenda Medema, who sought refuge
The Ice Failed Upstream. The Debt is Downstream.counterpointbd.com
A glacial lake outburst flood in the Bhote Koshi river, originating from an ice and rock collapse on the Nepal-China border, caused significant disruption in Nepal. The incident highlights the urgent need for cross-border cooperation on hydrological monitoring and disaster preven
Duke Energy Florida asks to punt on rate for large load customerswww.utilitydive.com
Duke Energy Florida has submitted the first SB 484 compliance proposal to the Florida Public Service Commission, introducing a 20-year minimum service term and requiring large load customers (such as data centers) to advance construction costs. The proposal faces criticism from s
Clicks, grunts and squeals: the wonders of whale communication – podcastwww.theguardian.com
Ever since the earliest known recording of whale song was made in 1949 , researchers have been captivated by the wails, rumbles, clicks, grunts and squeals of their communication. As technology improves, scientists are decoding the intricate patterns that make different species’
Wendell Berry, Writer Who Extolled America’s Agrarian Past, Dies at 92www.nytimes.com
RIP Wendell Berry
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