Advancing urban tree monitoring with AI-powered digital twins

The Tree-D Fusion system integrates generative AI and genus-conditioned algorithms to create precise simulation-ready models of 600,000 existing urban trees across North America.

Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL • mit
Nov. 21, 2024 ~8 min

Fast fashion may seem cheap, but it’s taking a costly toll on the planet − and on millions of young customers

The industry has a reputation for pollution and waste, but it has psychological effects as well.

Paula M. Carbone, Professor of Clinical Education, University of Southern California • conversation
Nov. 21, 2024 ~8 min


Bestselling comic, World Without End, rips the fossil fuel economy apart – and controversially embraces nuclear power

World Without End is a hugely impressive feat, unfolding as a dialogue between its creators.

Jo Lindsay Walton, Senior Research Fellow in Arts, Climate and Technology, University of Sussex • conversation
Nov. 21, 2024 ~7 min

Reality check on technologies to remove carbon dioxide from the air

Study finds many climate-stabilization plans are based on questionable assumptions about the future cost and deployment of “direct air capture” and therefore may not bring about promised reductions.

Nancy W. Stauffer | MIT Energy Initiative • mit
Nov. 20, 2024 ~13 min

Cop29 so far: the good and bad news

Good: the growth in fossil fuel emissions is slowing. Bad: almost everything else.

Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~9 min

Cop29: How fast is Earth warming?

The answer will determine how hot the planet gets this century.

Ed Hawkins, Professor of Climate Science, University of Reading • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~5 min

Why big oil and gas firms might want the Paris agreement to survive

ExxonMobil’s CEO has warned Trump not to walk away from global climate treaties. But what’s his underlying aim?

Annie Snelson-Powell, Associate Professor of Business and Society, University of Bath • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~7 min

Is Cop29 a waste of time? Not if rich countries commit to paying for climate damage in developing world

Loss and damage funding could preserve cultural heritage or soothe mental anguish post-disasters.

Lisa Vanhala, Professor of Political Science, UCL • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~8 min


Companies are still committing to net-zero emissions, even if it’s a bumpy road – here’s what the data show

Microsoft, Walmart and a few other high-profile companies made news for scaling back their public climate commitments. However, a closer look at the numbers shows commitments are still booming.

Manpreet S. Hora, Professor of Operations Management, Georgia Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 20, 2024 ~10 min

Climate change is encouraging unsanitary toilet practices among vulnerable communities

Cambodian study finds climate vulnerability hurts toilet functionality and leads to more open defecation.

James Harper, Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering Design, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Nov. 19, 2024 ~5 min

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