đ CAT Newsletter 281 - 2025-08-17
Hey CATs,
Welcome to issue 281 of the ClimateAction.tech (CAT) Newsletter - your weekly summary of what's happening inside the CAT Slack community (join here and check out our onboarding checklist), and in the wider world of climate and tech.
Remember you can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time - the link is at the bottom.
Stay curious đđđą
CAT Community News
âď¸ From the blog
A new Climate Careers profile is up: See how @Clifton Reddy, a software engineer, advocates for climate through teaching & advancing sustainable software principles.
#ď¸âŁ Channel highlights
#2-greener-tech: 'Which climate goal(s) are you making progress on?' - this week N shared progress on a plugin, S migrated his website to a new hosting provider and moved the domain, S read more pages of the first #cat-book-club book, M is ideating on the CAT cannon idea, C reviewed a queue system to help reduce errors, A got an MVP for a Solvathon project running and is making progress on a job hunt, and G wants to get more active as a CAT volunteer and wants to take a carbon data library project forward
#green-teams: C shared a recent find - the Employee Climate Action Network to support employee-led climate action
#greener-ai: Lots of conversation in this channel recently from responsible AI events to reports on water use and hot takes that some applications of AI can never be considered sustainable
#greener-webdev has a new channel host J whose introduction post can be found here
â¤ď¸ Help a CAT
M is looking for feedback for his definition of sustainability which borrows ideas from systems analysis. Have a look and share your feedback in the thread
G (channel host for #greener-infra) is asking - as "infrastructure" can be quite vague, are there particular topics you'd consider "on-topic" or "off-topic"? Are there areas you'd like to see more of? Share your thoughts
đ Looking for Slack channel hosts
In the CAT Volunteering team we're looking for more hands on deck with Slack channel hosting (more info). In particular, we're looking for hosts for: #2-greener-tech, #greener-ai, #greener-data, #green-teams, #greener-design
đŠ Community networking
Every 2 weeks, we match 2-3 CATs so you can connect over a quick 30-minute call. Join #cat-roulette, pick your region and wait for a message from Donut. The next round of matches will go out on Fri, August 22nd. More info.
Media, events, and news
đş CAT recommendations
đą A cutting from Branch
The latest issue Branch magazine out, it's time to bring back our a cutting of Branch, where each week we feature a single piece from the magazine by and for people who dream of a just and sustainable internet for all.
Our pick from issue 9 this week is Designing a Grid-Aware Branch, from CAT members Hannash Smith, Fershad Irani, and Tom Jarrett in the CAT slack, going into detail about how they rebuilt Branch along grid aware principles.
Go read Branch issue 9: Designing a Grid-Aware Branch
âśď¸ CAT videos
10-15 minute videos providing accessible explainers to climate related issues.
Bloomberg Originals: Why China Is Building an AI Megaplex in the Desert
A Bloomberg investigation found China is building a small city of AI data centers in a remote desert and looking to buy 115,000 of Nvidia's best chips to power them despite a US export ban. There's a construction boom under way on the edge of the Gobi desert in Xinjiang; Xinjiang, and especially the Hami region which includes Yiwu County, is rich in wind and solar energy, as well as abundant in coal, offering a ready source of affordable power.
đ¤Â Podcasts
Outrage + Optimism: Facing a Future Beyond 1.5°C
As global temperatures continue to skyrocket, the once unthinkable is now within view: overshooting 1.5°C of warming. This limit, set out in the Paris Agreement, has defined a decade of climate action, but is fast approaching. So what happens next? This week, Tom, Christiana and Paul grapple with the latest science, the looming risks of climate tipping points, and the urgent need to prepare for the worst - even while hoping and working for the best. They're joined by Ricken Patel, former Founding CEO of global activism nonprofit Avaaz, who is now calling us to take the possibility of overshoot seriously, and to build the political, technological and social capacity to bring temperatures back down.
Catalyst: The case for sodium-ion
The first episode in a series covering sodium-ion batteries featured a cautious take on the chemistry: Back in February Adrian Yao, founder of Stanford's STEER program, explained the challenges of reaching competitive energy density and costs, especially given the falling price of LFP. Still, sodium-ion chemistries are picking up steam, thanks largely to growing deployments in stationary storage and small-scale mobility in China.
So what's a more bullish take on sodium-ion?
The Impact Equation: Matthew Gould, Former Ambassador, CEO of NHSX and CEO of ZSL
Matthew Gould, CEO of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), whose career journey reads like a masterclass in strategic leadership across diverse global challenges. From serving as British Ambassador to Israel and holding diplomatic postings in Tehran, Islamabad, Washington, and Manila, to directing the UK's cyber security strategy and leading NHSX through its digital transformation, Matthew has consistently demonstrated how personal passion, public service, and strategic thinking can intersect to make an impact. Now, at the helm of ZSL, he's uniting world-class zoos, cutting-edge science, and global conservation efforts in the fight to protect our planet's wildlife.
Zero - The Climate Race: Can small modular reactors live up to the hype?
Electricity demand is soaring, and some think the answer isn't building bigger, but smaller. That's the idea behind small modular reactors (SMRs): take a large-scale nuclear plant that's hard to build, and shrink it down to something that's more manageable, cheaper and easier to replicate. Instead of one huge nuclear plant, you build 10 small ones.Â
Right now these kinds of small modular reactors are in the startup phase, with only two in commercial operation in Russia and China. So how viable is the business for these small modular reactors? And will SMRs ever become a scaled up solution for our energy needs? Rachel Slaybaugh joins Akshat Rathi on Zero to discuss.Â
Renewable Energy Smartpod: Digging Deep Into Geothermal with Mike Richter from Brightcore Energy
When hockey legend Mike Richter retired from the NHL, he pivoted to a career in energy efficiency. Mike is now the president of Brightcore Energy, a company that offers turn-key solutions -- including geothermal systems, solar, energy storage, or smart building technologies -- that simplify the clean energy journey for large commercial and industrial clients. During our conversation, Mike and I focus on advancements in geothermal that enable companies like Brightcore to not only complete projects in wide open spaces like business parks and college campuses, but also in extremely tight spaces ... like Manhattan.Â
đ¤Â Podcasts
The latest climate-related podcast episodes. Don't forget, if you're looking around, there's a list of podcasts maintained by CATs
Environment Variables: LLM Energy Transparency with Scott Chamberlin
In this episode of Environment Variables, host Chris Adams welcomes Scott Chamberlin, co-founder of Neuralwatt and ex-Microsoft Software Engineer, to discuss energy transparency in large language models (LLMs). They explore the challenges of measuring AI emissions, the importance of data center transparency, and projects that work to enable flexible, carbon-aware use of AI. Scott shares insights into the current state of LLM energy reporting, the complexities of benchmarking across vendors, and how collaborative efforts can help create shared metrics to guide responsible AI development.
đ Submitted events
Want an event listed here? Use this event listing form to submit the details so we can add it in the newsletter.
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025 - 4WARD Climate Connect: Monthly Global Networking Session (August)
Meet seasoned climate and sustainability professionals from around the worldâleaders, founders, investors, and changemakersâwho are serious about driving the transition to a sustainable future. Leave the sales pitches behind; this is about real collaboration.
Friday Aug 22, 2025 - Feedback Friday: Portfolios for Job Switchers
Sometimes the hardest part about your job hunt is just getting started. Come get started with a group of Sustainability Creatives going through the same challenges as you in their job hunt and provide each other with feedback on your portfolios.
Monday Aug 25, 2025 - Portfolio Tips and Tricks: Climate Career Switchers
In this session, we will be doing a live portfolio redesign for a member of our community. The purpose of this session is to show you (not tell you) how to craft a beautiful portfolio that lands with employers and to connect you with others face who similar challanges to you.Â
Thursday Aug 28, 2025 - Design it. Prove it. Promote it: Practical LCA Tools for Materials, Manufacturing, and Marketing Teams
This free webinar is for product innovators - engineers, sustainability managers, marketers, and those simply interested in making better product decisions! Weâll show you how to use Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to analyze and communicate your productâs environmental impact.
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025 - Portfolio Tips and Tricks: Climate Career Switcher
In this session, we will be doing a live portfolio redesign for a member of our community, Ely, who is hoping to apply their copywriting / social media marketing skills to jobs in the sustainability space.
Thursday Sep 04, 2025 - The Customer Traction Lab â A 3-Part Workshop Series
A hands-on series for climate and sustainability innovators to use behavioral science to spot and fix friction in the customer journey. Apply tactics to your own business and learn from peers. First session: Sept 4
Thursday Sep 04, 2025 - Sustainability Essentials for Professionals
AimHi Earth would love to invite you and your team to join our free Sustainability Essentials for Professionals session, a live and interactive 90-minute crash-course designed to boost clarity, confidence and momentum around sustainability đż
Monday Sep 08, 2025 - VC-Founder Climate Matchup
Announcing the 2025 Climate Tech VC-Founder Matchup, with meetings taking place online between Sept 8th (Monday) to Sept 12th (Friday). Read more - https://sosv.com/announcing-sosvs-vc-founder-climate-tech-matchup-sept-8-12/
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025 - Doubling Your Startup's Runway: Survival Strategies for a Tough Funding Climate
đ° Facing startup funding challenges in 2025's tough climate? Sept 9, 4pm CEST Join Cornelius Schmahl & Matt Ward for battle-tested runway extension strategies. .
Learn cash conservation, alt funding & emergency fundraising tactics.
FREE!
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025 - Agilists4Planet Conference - Grounded in Hope
Are you curious about how you could contribute to a brighter future for humanity? Come join us to get inspired by real-world stories, learn about impactful ways to use your skills, and solve problems together.
Thursday Sep 18, 2025 - Agilists4Planet Conference - Grounded in Hope
Are you curious about how you could contribute to a brighter future for humanity? Come join us to get inspired by real-world stories, learn about impactful ways to use your skills, and solve problems together.
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025 - Green IO London 2025
Green IO and apidays London have partnered to gather 350+ responsible technologists to answer a simple question requiring complex answers:
"Good for the Planet, Good for Business?"
Hosted by Apidays, this takes place on September 23 to 24, 2025 in etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate.
đ° News Highlights
The Guardian: Natural England hails recovery of 150 struggling species
Targeted conservation projects led by Natural England as part of its ÂŁ13m species recovery programme's capital grants scheme, have supported the recovery of 150 species, according to findings published on Wednesday. As part of the work, conservationists relocated more than 15,000 individual animals and plants to expand species' territories, and bred more than 12,000 individual invertebrates, mammals and birds in captivity for release into the wild.
Smart Energy International: Mercury Consortium releases first 'Bluetooth for low carbon tech' specifications
The Mercury Consortium has released its first set of specifications for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The aim of the specification is to ensure that EV chargers can respond to grid signals to deliver flexibility services while also providing consumers with control and choice. The release of the preliminary version is to collect broader stakeholder input before finalising the requirements and an associated test specification later in the summer.
Carbon Brief: China Briefing 24 July 2025
China Briefing handpicks and explains the most important climate and energy stories, including recent news such as: EU-China climate statement; the World's largest megadam, and clean-tech exports.
BDC Magazine: Green skills surge as low-carbon tech rewires UK homes and careers
The UK's shift to clean home energy is accelerating, and it's opening the door to thousands of green job opportunities. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data shows a 145% rise in the proportion of homes listing a heat pump as their main heating source since 2020, alongside a 129% increase in homes with solar panels and a 36% rise in wind turbine installations.
EE Times Europe: NFC Digital Product Passports
NFC-enabled digital product passports are set to play a key role in helping EU manufacturers comply with upcoming sustainability regulations, particularly the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Battery Passport rules coming in 2027.
Future CIO: Forrester probes the double-edged impact of disruptive technologies on sustainability
Forrester's new report, "Jekyll and Hyde: The Dual Role of Disruptive Technologies in Sustainability," delves into the potential of disruptive technologies to positively and negatively impact environmental sustainability. It identified six of the most important disruptive technologies that can shape sustainability in 2025: automation and AI, IoT, computing technologies, advanced data centres, extended reality, and autonomous mobility.
đ Papers We Love đ
Nature.com: Green and intelligent - the role of AI in the climate transition
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a powerful role in supporting climate action while boosting sustainable and inclusive economic growth. However, limited research exists on the potential influence of AI on the low-carbon transition. This paper identifies five areas through which AI can help build an effective response to climate threats. The team estimate the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions through AI applications in three key sectorsâpower, food, and mobilityâwhich collectively contribute nearly half of global emissions. This is compared with the increase in data centre-related emissions generated by all AI-related activities.
đź Jobs
Remember only jobs listing salary ranges are listed here - to get your job listed, you need to list a salary range. Folks can still look in the #jobs channel. Remember: if you're looking for advice finding a role, check our #climate-careers channel.
Icebreaker One - Account Manager - circa ÂŁ35k/yr. We work a 4-day week Mon-Thu - Permanent - Totally remote
Icebreaker One (IB1) is a UK-headquartered non-profit with a mission to make data work harder to achieve Net Zero. Weâre looking for someone to work as part of the team that extends and strengthens our network of partners across corporate, government and funding sectors.
People Powered Retrofit Coop - Software Developer - ÂŁ39,000 - ÂŁ43,500 (Full time) - Permanent - Flexible - remote ok
We're looking for an experienced software developer to join our team. You will play a key role in improving and evolving our modelling platform, which involves integrating elements of building physics so that trained assessors are able to generate various retrofit scenarios.
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