China’s CO2 emissions begin declining for first time

China’s CO2 emissions begin declining for first time

The world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide has seen a slight decline in those emissions over the past 12 months, even as demand for power has increased. This is an encouraging sign that the country’s massive investment in clean energy has begun to displace fossil fuels. A new report, published in Carbon Brief, finds that the country’s CO2 emissions have declined by 1% over the past 12 months. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, emissions declined by 1.6% relative to last year.

Guyana lawmakers pass bill making companies liable for oil spill damages

The legislation stipulates that responsible parties provide financial assurance to cover spills, conduct regular inspections and audits, and address any issues found. It also includes penalties for companies that fail to comply with regulations, including the suspension of licenses to explore and produce oil for those that do not provide the financial assurance required. The bill, which passed with a majority of votes cast in a simple voice vote, is expected to be signed into law by President Irfaan Ali soon.

The U.S. FDA approves first at-home tool as a Pap-smear alternative

Traditionally, gynecologists have inserted a cold metal speculum deep into a woman's vagina to scrape cells from the cervix. The Teal Wand — "built with empathy" by California-based Teal Health — uses a swab to collect a vaginal sample. Women will then mail the sample to a lab that will screen for HPV (human papillomavirus), the virus that causes nearly all cervical cancers. The FDA approval follows a U.S.-based study that found at-home screening was just as effective as that done in a doctor's office.

Marine litter on the E.U. coastline down by almost one-third since 2015

The new E.U. Coastline Macro Litter Trend report has found that the amount of marine macro litter in the E.U. coastline has dropped by 29% between 2015-2016 and 2020-2021. While the largest reduction in terms of percentages is seen at the Baltic Sea (45%), major efforts at the Mediterranean and the Black Sea have led to impressive reductions in the absolute amount of litter on European beaches. This achievement is the result of multilateral, national, regional, and citizen efforts triggered by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Surgeons in California perform first-ever successful bladder transplant

Patients who have their bladder removed most often have a portion of intestine repurposed to pass urine, often resulting in a host of new complications, including infections and digestive issues. Those complications have led doctors around the world to seek bladder transplant techniques for years. The transplant performed in early May has so far succeeded, and doctors said they are “satisfied” with the patient's recovery, though many unknowns remain.

China builds its first major solar farm (1983 C.E.)

China's first 10kW civil photovoltaic power station, which is also the oldest existing photovoltaic power station in China, was built in Xiaocha Village, Yuanzi Township, Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, providing domestic electricity for 130 local households. After 40 years, the plant is still generating electricity at around 7 kW.

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 your senators: Vote NO on the Trump megabill!

From 350.org: The Republican majority in the U.S. House just voted to advance Donald Trump’s megabill, which will give tax breaks to billionaires and massive giveaways to the fossil fuel industry while rolling back climate action. This disastrous budget package passed the House by just one single vote, and will soon make its way to the Senate. We can’t let it become law. Sign the petition.​

This week’s calendar

GET S*** DONE Work Group​ every weekday, 10:45am-12pm PT (online)
Bellingham Men’s Circle​ on Monday, May 26, 6-8pm PT (in-person)

Weekly reflection

Hi beautiful people,

Unfortunately, we got hit with another bug this weekend and I've been out of commission all week. I managed to get the full newsletter in, but just didn't quite have the brain power to write something here. Hopefully back in full next week!

Love,
Peter

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