Technology

The US Wants Minerals from South America. Defenders Fear What Comes Next.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s push for minerals and militarization raises fears about the violence more mining could inflict on local communities and critical ecosystems."

Source: Inside Climate News, 09/11/2026

AI Boom Poses Growing Public Health Threat, Former EPA Officials Warn

"A group representing more than 800 former employees of the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday sounded the alarm over the health consequences of data centers. It warned that Trump administration policies to weaken pollution safeguards and speed up approvals of the facilities threatened to exacerbate those health harms."

Source: New York Times, 09/11/2026

Decarbonizing Energy Systems With Clean Firm Power

Solar and wind power are critical for combating climate change, but some energy experts warn they won’t be enough. Their vision for an emissions-free grid depends on technologies ranging from long-duration batteries to nuclear reactors. Journalist Nicolás Rivero on clean firm power’s potential, the challenges ahead and how Big Tech is driving the pursuit of always-on zero-carbon electricity.

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Gen Z Is Using ‘Polyester’ As An Insult. It’s Actually A Throwback.

"Here's how the fabric went from a "miracle" fiber to TikTok slang for fake."

"Even if you’re not wearing polyester now, it’s probably sitting somewhere in your closet — after all, it is the most ubiquitous fabric for textiles on Earth. Is that bad? 

Judging by social media, the answer is solidly “yes.” Influencers want you to know it’s a form of plastic, fashioned from melted crude oil or PET bottles and extruded into threads. That disgust factor (“ugh, I’m wearing plastic?”) might help explain why “polyester” is now trending as an insult on TikTok.

Source: , 09/03/2026

Study Suggests That Climate Change Is Intensifying El Niños

"A new study suggests that El Niños — the natural climatic chaos agent that pops up periodically and spikes global temperatures — are getting stronger because of human-caused climate change."

Source: AP, 09/03/2026

UN Talks In Mongolia Show Growing Drought Crisis As Climate Impacts Worsen

"Representatives from nearly 200 countries wrapped up United Nations desertification talks in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Friday, seeking ways to keep land productive as climate change heats the planet and degraded soils and landscapes lose their ability to hold water, produce food and support livelihoods.

Source: AP, 09/03/2026

AC Cooling Saves 1000s Of Lives Yearly, But Worsens Warming: Experts

"Cooling from air conditioning saves lives — more than 5,000 a year in the United States alone — but it also heats up the planet and taxes our electrical grid, scientists say."

Source: AP, 09/03/2026

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