What mattered this week

No. This is not “Just summer”.

But summer’s hot! Hmm. US and Europe 15-20°C over averages. 400 records broken in Japan. 22°C minimum in Siberia. South Africa’s winter is - summer. 🔥
And the ice? The Alps are melting. All of them. A glaciologist saw the Rhone glacier dropping 1m in 10 days. 😢
Sea-heat wave too? The Med is 6°C above normal. Staggering for a body of water. Plus, record low sea ice for June 😱
Put it in context! 2024 was the hottest year on this planet in over 125,000 years. 2025 is on track to be the second hottest. 🥵

No breakfast for you

But I’m hungry. Hurry up then. New study says each 1°C of warming reduces food supply by 121 calories per person, globally. Current trajectory of 3°C… means breakfast is out.  
Lost my appetite suddenly. Well, farmland in US’s Midwest and Europe at greatest risk. Might be a good thing for some.
Read more: New Scientist

Fossils consumption still going up

But renewables fastest, right? Well, sort of. Huge growth rates from the good stuff - but fossils also grew, in fact 60% of the increase.
And fastest? Well, in May 2025 alone China installed 93GWe of solar, which is the same as California and Texas… have ever installed.. combined.
Best commentary: Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy;

One thing to worry about

Temperature increase is accelerating.

This is not good.

One thing to be optimistic about

The cost of solar + storage is down 22% in a year. Expect another 20-25% reduction in 2025 too. (Carbon Brief)

If you’ve got more time…

How do we get through this mess?

Simple: We. Stop. Burning. Stuff. We use electricity instead. So Ember’s latest is worth reading: The Electrification Imperative.

Some highlights:

• Electrification can easily displace 60% of fossil fuels and emissions

• Fossil fuels still supply 95% of final energy in transport, 56% in industry, and 37% in buildings.

• Huge onshore value: Electricity is made at home not imported on ships.

• But Europe and US have been stuck at 20% electrification since 1980s

• China is pulling ahead - 10% a year

Saddest thing? Western governments aren’t even talking about this.