Tech News
Back to home
Technology

Four bright spots in climate news in 2025

Source

MIT Technology Review

Published

TL;DR

AI Generated

In 2025, global greenhouse-gas emissions hit record highs, and climate-fueled disasters continued to devastate communities. However, there were some positive developments: China managed to keep carbon dioxide emissions flat while its economy grew, thanks to investments in solar, wind, and electric vehicles. The battery storage industry saw rapid growth, surpassing targets and driving down costs, leading to a cleaner and more stable grid. Additionally, AI's influence on energy sparked renewed interest in next-generation energy technologies, with tech giants investing in geothermal and nuclear power. Despite progress, nations have stalled in taking additional action to meet climate goals, but the collective effort has shown that addressing climate change is possible.

Read Full Article

Similar Articles

Zuckerberg's Meta will beam sunlight from space to power AI data centers, solar-collecting satellites will orbit 22,000 miles above Earth — firm reserves 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage

Zuckerberg's Meta will beam sunlight from space to power AI data centers, solar-collecting satellites will orbit 22,000 miles above Earth — firm reserves 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage

Meta, led by Zuckerberg, plans to power its AI data centers with sunlight beamed from space using solar-collecting satellites in geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above Earth. The company has reserved 1 Gigawatt of orbital solar energy and 100 Gigawatt-hours of long-duration storage to address the increasing energy demands of its AI infrastructure. This move is part of Meta's strategy to secure long-term energy supplies for its expanding AI operations, with a first orbital demonstration planned for 2028 and potential commercial delivery by 2030. The partnerships with Overview Energy and Noon Energy aim to tackle the challenges of intermittency and long-duration energy storage in renewable energy systems.

Tom's Hardware•
Nanoscale device generates continuous electricity from evaporating water and some sunlight — paves the path for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and more

Nanoscale device generates continuous electricity from evaporating water and some sunlight — paves the path for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and more

Researchers at EPFL in Switzerland have developed a nanoscale device that generates continuous electricity from evaporating water, aided by heat and sunlight. This technology, known as a hydrovoltaic device, can work with ordinary ion-containing water like tap water or seawater. The device consists of three layers that harness evaporation, heat, and sunlight to produce stable electrical output. While the power output is small compared to commercial solar panels, the device shows promise for battery-free sensors, wearable electronics, and IoT devices in environments with natural water, warmth, and sunlight. The design allows for independent optimization of each stage and potential scalability in the future.

Tom's Hardware•
Inventor showcases 3D printer filament dryer that mines Bitcoins and dries filament with waste heat, capable of 6 TH/s at 140W — joins Bitcoin-mining 3D printer in hobbyist-focused miner lineup

Inventor showcases 3D printer filament dryer that mines Bitcoins and dries filament with waste heat, capable of 6 TH/s at 140W — joins Bitcoin-mining 3D printer in hobbyist-focused miner lineup

An inventor has created a filament dryer that not only dries filament for 3D printing but also mines Bitcoins, utilizing waste heat from the process. This new prototype is capable of 6 TH/s at 140W and is part of a lineup of hobbyist-focused mining devices. The filament dryer helps prevent common printing issues caused by moisture absorption and offers a proactive solution for maintaining filament quality. It is likely that this new device shares underlying technology with the inventor's previous 3D printer that also doubled as a Bitcoin miner, hinting at further scalability and innovation in this unique niche market.

Tom's Hardware•
Is carbon removal in trouble?

Is carbon removal in trouble?

Microsoft, a major player in the carbon removal market, has reportedly paused its carbon removal purchases, causing concern in the industry. Carbon removal technologies aim to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for permanent storage. Microsoft, which aims to become carbon-negative by 2030, has been a significant buyer of carbon removal contracts. The company's decision to pause purchases may impact the industry's growth and reliance on corporate support. Industry experts suggest that government mandates and policies are needed to ensure the scalability of carbon removal efforts.

MIT Technology Review•

We use cookies

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our cookie policy.