President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees signal a sharp turn toward fossil fuel expansion and climate deregulation. Key figures, including fracking executive Chris Wright f
Are we entering the golden age of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is mostly utilized to heat swimming pools, buildings, greenhouses, and urban heating systems across the globe. Boreholes up to 5,000 meters deep are used to pump water with temperatures reaching 200 degrees Celsius. The heat is subsequently extracted, and the cooled water is reintroduced through a second hole. This technique of capturing heat is viable globally, affordable, and becoming more popular in places with little volcanic activity. According to Renewables Global Status Report estimates, the installed capacity of geothermal heat plants globally is presently 38 gigawatts — more than twice the capacity of geothermal power plants that produce electricity. China (14 GW), Turkey (3 GW), Iceland (2 GW), and Japan (2 GW) are now the leaders in generating deep geothermal energy, which is heating an increasing number of metropolitan areas and greenhouses. Six German research organizations found that producing heat with deep geothermal energy costs less than three euro cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Prior to Russia's invasion on Ukraine, several municipal utilities in Europe could produce heat at a lower cost than this. However, since Russia's invasion, dramatic increases in gas prices have increased that cost to more than 12 cents per kWh, making geothermal options more appealing.
A $200 billion surge in liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects could release greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of all global coal plants, raising significa
During his final overseas trip as president, Joe Biden highlighted the Lobito Corridor, an 800-mile U.S.-funded railway project in Angola connecting critical mineral-rich regions
Startups like Still Bright, Ceibo, and Jetti Resources are developing cleaner copper extraction technologies to meet surging demand driven by the energy transition. Innovations in
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies, such as pumped hydropower and underground compressed air storage, are emerging as solutions to store renewable energy for extende
The Midwest Hydrogen Hub, spanning Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan, has received $22.2 million as part of a $1 billion federal investment to expand clean hydrogen production
A new study reveals that air pollution from wildfires causes 1.5 million deaths annually, with over 90% of fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries, particularly i
A report from the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) reveals systemic racial bias in home appraisals has cost Black Americans $150 billion in home equity. Homes i
Community Church Atlanta transformed its Vicars Community Center into the city's first community-owned resilience hub, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Equipped with
Michigan's Public Service Commission faces a lawsuit from about 80 townships and counties challenging its implementation of a new law, Public Act 233, which expedites permitting f
The fifth and potentially final round of U.N. plastic treaty negotiations (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, centers on whether to impose global caps on plastic production. Advocates,
Highways in the Twin Cities have perpetuated environmental and social inequities, disproportionately affecting urban communities. Black residents were displaced during their const
Ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, the Biden administration is fast-tracking clean energy investments. The Department of Energy announced nearly $12 billion in loans,
COP29 approved controversial rules for international carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling countries to trade emissions reductions. Critics argue the gui
COP29 concluded in Baku with a contentious climate finance agreement that left many nations dissatisfied. The deal commits wealthy countries to lead efforts to triple climate aid