Climate Currents Newsletter
1OCTOBER 2025STATUS REPORT: THE GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION While America takes a step backwards on climate policy, the transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy continues elsewhere. The world is pouring more money into clean energy solutions than ever before: Global investment in renewables like wind and solar power hit a record $386 billion in the first half of 2025, which is 10% more than the same period last year. And analysts expect that by the end of the year, we’ll be putting more than twice as much money toward clean energy compared to fossil fuels. China accounts for the largest share of these new investments as it rapidly rolls out clean energy technologies to decarbonize its own economy. As a result, emissions from China’s power sector are falling – a remarkable trend for the world’s largest emitter. China’s investments are also bringing the cost of renewables down for everyone else and “creating the conditions for a decline in global fossil fuel use,” according to leading energy think tank Ember. Indeed, the vast majority of new wind and solar projects are now producing power at a lower cost than their fossil fuel-based alternatives. The largest single shared energy storage power station in China in Delingha City, Qinghai Province. © Ma Min / Alamy.NOW THAT’S A BIG BATTERYThe “world’s most powerful battery” is up and running in Australia. The Waratah Super Battery is physically huge, covering the same amount of ground as roughly 25 American football fields. When fully operational, the 850-megawatt battery could power 80,000 homes for a full day. It was built as a “shock absorber” to protect the local grid from blackouts during emergencies. If the grid goes down, the battery can come online and keep the lights on.The Waratah Super Battery, at 850MW and 1680 MWh, is currently the world’s most powerful battery. © Akaysha Energy.
2Big batteries like this one are playing a key role in weaning the world off oil, gas, and coal. They allow renewable energy to be used whenever it’s needed, like when grid electricity is very expensive, disrupted by extreme weather, or both. For example, in Scotland earlier this year, a large battery saved the day when a wood-burning power generator unexpectedly failed. And in Texas, batteries are preventing blackouts on the hottest summer days. A record amount of new battery capacity was installed in the U.S. last year, and 2025 is expected to be even bigger.Over the summer, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice – also known as the World Court – issued a historic advisory opinion that will dramatically shape the future of climate litigation. The court concluded that all countries have an obligation to protect the environment, and can be held legally responsible for the climate damages they cause. While the opinion isn’t legally binding, it does provide a “legal foundation for challenging government support for fossil fuel exploration, production, and subsidies,” explained Sara K. Phillips, a scientist with the Stockholm Environment Institute. In other words, those looking to sue governments for their harmful emissions now have more legal leverage. This case was the result of a years-long campaign spearheaded by 27 law students in the Pacific Islands, including 30-year-old Cynthia Houniuhi, president of Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change. “The world’s highest court has confirmed what the youth and frontline communities have long demanded: bold climate action rooted in justice,” Houniuhi said. “The ICJ’s ruling is a powerful signal that the law is on our side.” A LEGAL LEG-UPCynthia Houniuhi, President, Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change © PISFCC.The Pacific has shown what’s possible when governments lead with courage and unity to protect people and the planet.— Cynthia HouniuhiADAPTATION IN ACTIONAfter another summer of extreme heat and dangerous storms, it’s becoming increasingly clear that many of the impacts of climate change are already here. So while decarbonization is essential, communities must also change how they live if they want to survive in a warming world. Adaptation–responding to climate change to reduce its impacts–is happening, but it looks different all over the globe and depends on a region’s unique cultural, economic, and geographic circumstances. Here are a few examples of climate adaptation in action:• In California, architects are designing more fire-resistant homes. Their methods include installing air vents that close if there’s a wildfire, getting rid of eaves so that embers can’t collect there, using safer construction materials, and removing nearby shrubs and trees to create a buffer zone around buildings.
3• In India, outdoor laborers are doing more work in the morning and evening hours to avoid the dangerous daytime heat. • In Kenya, farming communities that face extreme heat and drought are diversifying their income sources by learning new skills, some rooted in cultural traditions, such as beadwork. And they are also moving livestock to areas with more water, or even switching to drought-tolerant animals like goats and camels.• Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, has become a “sponge city,” installing clever new infrastructure that absorbs and redirects heavy rain to prevent flooding. Karen Blixens Squareat the University of Copenhagen. Bicycle shelters and garden beds are built to retain water.© Cobe.Since taking office again in January, President Trump has made some very big and abrupt changes to the nation’s energy and environmental policies. Let’s look at some of the most important and impactful shifts so far:• Energy Emergency: Trump declared that America is in the grips of a “National Energy Emergency,” facing low energy supply and a weak electrical grid. In a series of executive orders, he told government agencies to “unleash” more of America’s energy, prioritizing mainly heavy-polluting fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. • Environmental Reviews: The Trump administration has taken steps to weaken the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. The changes pave the way for new infrastructure projects like pipelines to be greenlit more quickly, but without consideration for their climate and environmental impacts, nor for the concerns of nearby communities.• Money for Clean Energy: At Trump’s urging, Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which eliminates financial incentives that helped people buy electric vehicles and install clean appliances like heat pumps. The OBBBA also shortens the construction timeline for developers of new solar and wind projects who want to take advantage of the IRA’s tax credits. • War on Wind: Under Trump’s leadership, the government has targeted the country’s nascent wind power sector. It halted construction on a near-complete project off the coast of Rhode Island, but a judge later said work could resume. • Pollution Rules: Trump has allowed more than 100 industrial facilities – including oil refineries, coal plants, and chemical manufacturers – to temporarily bypass Clean Air Act rules. This means they don’t have to abide by pollution rules aimed at reducing the amount of toxic chemicals they release into their surrounding environments. TRUMP’S CLIMATE OVERHAULThe Endangerment Finding is a 2009 scientific conclusion from the Environmental Protection Agency that said greenhouse gases are a public health hazard. The elimination of this landmark finding would severely curtail the EPA’s authority to regulate these gases, and dismantle many of the nation’s most important climate regulations, including those aimed at curbing emissions from vehicles and power plants.
4Looking ahead, Trump has hinted he wants to fully repeal regulations that limit harmful pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants, cars and trucks, and coal mines. He also wants to do away with the “Endangerment Finding.” Source: Rhodium Group, September 2025 • Note: The 2030 U.S. Paris Agreement target was a 50–52% reduction from 2005 levels. The chart value shown represents a 50% reduction. Chart courtesy Canary Media.Nuclear investmentGovernments and private companies are investing billions in nuclear power. What does all this money mean for clean energy?COP30The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference – the biggest and most-anticipated climate summit of the year – will take place in Belém, Brazil from November 10 - 21. This will be the first COP without an official presence from the U.S. federal government, after President Trump withdrew the nation from the Paris Agreement. How will this affect negotiations on things like climate finance goals?Big polluters A first-of-its-kind study recently linked emissions from some of the world’s largest fossil fuel companies – like Exxon Mobil Corp. and Saudi Aramco – to deadly heatwaves. Could this further the case for legal action against big polluters?KEEP AN EYE ON...
5CHECK YOURSELF1. Which of the following actions has President Trump not taken since declaring a “National Energy Emergency”?2. According to recent data, what trend is occurring in global clean energy investment?A) Weakening the National Environmental Policy Act to fast-track infrastructure projectsB) Eliminating financial incentives for electric vehicles and clean appliancesC) Expanding construction of offshore wind projects nationwideD) Allowing some industrial facilities to bypass Clean Air Act pollution rulesA) Investment is decreasing as countries prioritize fossil fuelsB) Global clean energy investment reached a record high of $386 billion in the first half of 2025C) The majority of renewable projects still cost more than fossil fuel alternativesD) China’s emissions from its power sector are continuing to rise3. What is the main purpose of Australia’s Waratah Super Battery, described as the “world’s most powerful battery”?4. What was the outcome of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion in 2025?A) To replace all fossil fuel power plants in AustraliaB) To act as a “shock absorber” that stabilizes the grid and prevents blackoutsC) To store enough electricity to export energy to neighboring countriesD) To power every home in Australia continuously for one yearA) It legally forced all countries to stop supporting fossil fuels immediatelyB) It concluded that countries can be held responsible for climate damages they causeC) It ruled in favor of oil companies in climate-related lawsuitsD) It withdrew legal recognition of greenhouse gases as a public health hazardQUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION1. Which story was most surprising to you? Why?2. Which story do you think is most important to be aware of and understand? Why?Going further1. Research: Choose one story to explore further. Look for key details like causes, impacts, and responses.2. Write your analysis: Create a detailed response based on your research. You can choose to write a factual news report, share your perspective in an opinion piece, or propose an action plan to address the issue.Correct answers: 1. C 2. B 3. B 4. B