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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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”.
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.
“Businesses can anticipate shocks and disruptions, build scenarios to consider all outcomes from a situation, and prepare accordingly, and even invest in multiple redundant options for what might happen."
“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."
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.
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.
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...
1️⃣ Clean up and grow the power sector
2️⃣ Electrify almost everything
3️⃣ Clean up the residual
Asia leads in Task #2, electrification. 8 of the top 10 countries showing the highest share of electricity in their energy mix are: Taiwan, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
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:
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.
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.
🐦⬛ Even small interventions, like installing window deterrents or avoiding upward-facing lights at night, could benefit all focal bird species (23% of the total species of local interest).
💧 39% of the focal species in the region could benefit from water-related interventions, such as removal of physical pollution from waterways or water treatment initiatives.
🪹 31% of focal species could be helped by improvements to their nesting habitats.
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:
1. Visualizing our planet and connecting the dots
2. Understanding the past, present and future of our planet
3. Putting technology in the hands of local experts
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.
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.
“We have already entered the beginning of the age of non-tourism.” Let’s hope not, but lots of changes are definitely underway.
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.
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.
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
