China achieves historic 1 TW solar capacity milestone

China achieves historic 1 TW solar capacity milestone

China has continued its reign as the undisputed global leader in renewable energy, with its solar capacity now surpassing a whopping 1 terawatt (TW). According to the Energy Information Administration, the total global electricity capacity in 2022 was less than 9 TW. From January to May, new solar installations totaled 197 GW, up 388% from the same period last year. In May alone, China added 92 GW of new capacity, a 105% increase from April and the highest monthly figure on record. China reached its first 1 GW of installed solar just 15 years ago in 2010.

The number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials in the U.S. has tripled since 2017

This year's Out for America report from the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute showed an overall 2.4% increase in out LGBTQ+ representation between June 2024 and May 2025 and a 198% increase since the organization, which provides training and support for out candidates, first launched the report in 2017. While the majority of LGBTQ+ elected officials serve in state and local offices, 2025 saw a 33% increase in the number of out U.S. House representatives, bringing the total number to 12.

Vietnam abolishes death penalty for eight crimes

The legal reforms in Vietnam ended the death penalty for eight crimes, including trying to overthrow the government, damaging state infrastructure, making and selling fake medicine, starting wars, spying, drug trafficking, embezzlement, and taking bribes. The new rules also say that anyone already sentenced to death for these crimes but not yet executed by July 1 will have their sentence changed to life in prison after a final decision by Vietnam’s highest court.

Over 1,400 companies worldwide have implemented cage-free egg production pledges

45% of US hens, 62% of European hens, and 82% of British hens are now cage-free — up from about 13%, 44%, and 50% respectively a decade ago. Fully 150 million fewer American, European, and British hens are now caged than a decade ago, even as egg demand has risen in all three markets. Most companies with cage-free pledges — over 1,400, including McDonald’s, Starbucks, Amazon, and Costco — have already implemented them.

Ireland shuts down its last coal-fired power plant

Ireland has become the 15th coal-free country in Europe, having ended coal power generation at its 915 MW Moneypoint coal plant in County Clare. Initially commissioned in the mid-1980s by ESB, Moneypoint was intended to help Ireland offset the impact of the oil crises in the 1970s by providing a dependable source of energy. But with Ireland now generating a lot more renewable energy, coal burning is no longer such an urgent need.

China begins producing solar energy cells for first time (1975 C.E.)

The first solar cell factories were located in Ningbo and Kaifeng. Annual national solar capacity installations were still low, as only 0.5 kW of photovoltaic capacity was installed. This increased to 8 kW in 1980, 70 kW in 1985, 500 kW in 1990, and 1550 kW in 1995. Soon, China would become the world's undisputed leader in solar energy production.

Wind and solar power account for more than half of China’s energy consumption for the first time ever (2032 C.E. ???)

Having already achieved the milestone of peak emissions in the 2020s, China – the long-time global leader in renewable energy – finally achieves the historic milestone of generating a majority of its power from clean, renewable sources. The milestone proves a major turning point in humanity's fight against climate change, encouraging and enabling other nations to follow suit.

Tell Congress: Protect Public Media

Congress must REJECT efforts to cut funding for PBS and NPR – which Americans consistently rank as the most trustworthy networks for news and public affairs. Attacks on public media are attempts to silence independent media. We must protect free, fact-based journalism and ensure access to trusted programming for all Americans. Sign the petition.

Weekly reflection

A few weeks ago, I shared how I, yet again, switched email delivery systems. I explained how there's some sense of shame when I do this.

I tend to kind of nerd out on the technological aspects of business. There's a part of me that finds solace in these less confronting actions. So it can be fun. And it can certainly be helpful to my business in some sense.

But there's another part of me that knows that tinkering with things like this is not the real work. It's often a distraction from really getting right within myself, honing my craft, connecting with others, and sharing what I do from an authentic, clean place.

Well, I've done it again.

This time, the form the tinkering is taking is transitioning from calling myself a "leadership coach" to a "purpose coach."

In fairness to myself, this change did not take a lot of time. It hasn't been a huge distraction. But I do feel some sense of guilt in constantly tinkering with things like this. I want to convey a sense of stability and consistency, and endlessly tinkering doesn't really serve that.

Nonetheless, I've decided to give it a go, at least as an experiment.

I once got advice that while coaches have so many different names for themselves, most prospective clients only really know about life coaches and executive coaches. More specific names can work for clearly niched coaches, like marketing coaches, social media coaches, etc., where they offer a defined service and come from a specific technical expertise.

But "life coach" has always carried a certain amount of cringe for me. It feels so broad. And my mental image of a life coach is someone who is somewhat insincere, hocking shallow affirmations and platitudes.

"Executive coach" has felt somewhat elitist, like I only work with a certain tier of professional. This is both simply untrue of, and is not something I'd personally want to convey to the world.

"Leadership coach" felt like a nice middle ground. I do aspire to serve purpose-driven leaders, at least in the broadest sense of the term, separated from institutional or social authority. And it's something most people have some sense of. It sounds professional enough.

But lately, as I feel into it further, "leadership coach" just doesn't really convey what I do or reflect what I care most about. Yes, I do help my clients claim leadership over their lives and their role in social change. But the frameworks I gravitate toward have much more to do with purpose. I help people find and harness their unique genius and then offer it as a gift to a world, but in a way that maintains their well-being and sense of peace.

My hope is that "purpose coach" both differentiates me further from the crowd and is a clearer distillation of what I actually do. And, though this term isn't quite as well-known or sought after, perhaps it will have a way of calling in those whom I can best serve.

What do you think?

Peter Schulte Purpose coach Bellingham WA USA About | Instagram | Donate