Chris Caldwell
@chris-caldwell.bsky.social
🛠️ Founder & CEO
Renewables & Cleantech investor 🌳☀️🌊💨
Host of Conversations on Climate🎙️
https://linktr.ee/chris_caldwell
Renewables & Cleantech investor 🌳☀️🌊💨
Host of Conversations on Climate🎙️
https://linktr.ee/chris_caldwell
I'm so tired of this sales pitch: "AI is using a lot of energy but it's also helping the climate". The AI that helps the climate is generally very different from the AI that uses a lot of energy (e.g. LLMs like ChatGPT). We can have the former without the latter.
June 16, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I'm so tired of this sales pitch: "AI is using a lot of energy but it's also helping the climate". The AI that helps the climate is generally very different from the AI that uses a lot of energy (e.g. LLMs like ChatGPT). We can have the former without the latter.
The blackout in Spain and Portugal wasn’t just a grid failure. It was a test of resilience, trust, and truth.
Resilience isn’t about avoiding disruption. It’s about building the physical and societal systems, grids and information alike, that help us thrive through it.
New on Illuminem 👇
Resilience isn’t about avoiding disruption. It’s about building the physical and societal systems, grids and information alike, that help us thrive through it.
New on Illuminem 👇
May 8, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The blackout in Spain and Portugal wasn’t just a grid failure. It was a test of resilience, trust, and truth.
Resilience isn’t about avoiding disruption. It’s about building the physical and societal systems, grids and information alike, that help us thrive through it.
New on Illuminem 👇
Resilience isn’t about avoiding disruption. It’s about building the physical and societal systems, grids and information alike, that help us thrive through it.
New on Illuminem 👇
Taken at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA this week. This picture tells many more than 1000 words.
February 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Taken at the FBI Academy in Quantico, VA this week. This picture tells many more than 1000 words.
Not that economic growth is everything, but emissions keep falling and the economy keeps growing, weren’t we supposed to be living in caves by now?
January 25, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Not that economic growth is everything, but emissions keep falling and the economy keeps growing, weren’t we supposed to be living in caves by now?
More than 160 financial institutions joined the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) in 2021, signaling commitment to climate action.
But just two years later, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) an offshoot of GFANZ, has lost every major U.S. bank in a single month.
But just two years later, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) an offshoot of GFANZ, has lost every major U.S. bank in a single month.
January 11, 2025 at 10:37 AM
More than 160 financial institutions joined the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) in 2021, signaling commitment to climate action.
But just two years later, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) an offshoot of GFANZ, has lost every major U.S. bank in a single month.
But just two years later, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) an offshoot of GFANZ, has lost every major U.S. bank in a single month.
LA is burning and our political baseline remains unchanged, climate policies are acceptable only if they demand zero sacrifice or lifestyle change
This is a profoundly irrational economic decision. The longer we wait, the greater the loss of opportunity and the higher the costs we’ll face
This is a profoundly irrational economic decision. The longer we wait, the greater the loss of opportunity and the higher the costs we’ll face
January 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
LA is burning and our political baseline remains unchanged, climate policies are acceptable only if they demand zero sacrifice or lifestyle change
This is a profoundly irrational economic decision. The longer we wait, the greater the loss of opportunity and the higher the costs we’ll face
This is a profoundly irrational economic decision. The longer we wait, the greater the loss of opportunity and the higher the costs we’ll face
Reposted by Chris Caldwell
“1.5C was never the difference between safety + ruin, between hope + despair. It was negotiated by govts trying to answer a big q: What’s the highest global temp increase — and associated level of dangers — societies should strive to avoid?”
Well said @zhonggg.bsky.social & @bradplumer.bsky.social
Well said @zhonggg.bsky.social & @bradplumer.bsky.social
2024’s Record-Breaking Heat Brought the World to a Dangerous Threshold. Now What?
Global temperatures last year crept past a key goal, raising questions about how much nations can stop the planet from heating up further.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
“1.5C was never the difference between safety + ruin, between hope + despair. It was negotiated by govts trying to answer a big q: What’s the highest global temp increase — and associated level of dangers — societies should strive to avoid?”
Well said @zhonggg.bsky.social & @bradplumer.bsky.social
Well said @zhonggg.bsky.social & @bradplumer.bsky.social
When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money.
-Alanis Obomsawin
-Alanis Obomsawin
January 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can't eat money.
-Alanis Obomsawin
-Alanis Obomsawin
% of Americans who would oppose using economic or military coercion to seize control of the panama canal
Dems: 68%
Rep: 33%
Source: Yougov
Dems: 68%
Rep: 33%
Source: Yougov
January 8, 2025 at 11:03 PM
% of Americans who would oppose using economic or military coercion to seize control of the panama canal
Dems: 68%
Rep: 33%
Source: Yougov
Dems: 68%
Rep: 33%
Source: Yougov
‘Energy independent’ Uruguay runs on 100% renewable electricity for 10 straight months
theprogressplaybook.com/2023/10/19/e...
theprogressplaybook.com/2023/10/19/e...
'Energy independent' Uruguay runs on 100% renewables for 10 straight months
Uruguay's rapid energy transformation has shielded electricity users from global shocks.
theprogressplaybook.com
December 31, 2024 at 4:13 PM
‘Energy independent’ Uruguay runs on 100% renewable electricity for 10 straight months
theprogressplaybook.com/2023/10/19/e...
theprogressplaybook.com/2023/10/19/e...
Reposted by Chris Caldwell
A serious day-after-Christmas present in New York, where great activism means the Empire State will be sending the bill for climate damages off to Big Oil. The Climate Superfund Bill has been signed!!
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
A (successful) test of the state-by-state approach!
A day-after-Christmas present for the planet from Albany, New York
open.substack.com
December 26, 2024 at 6:14 PM
A serious day-after-Christmas present in New York, where great activism means the Empire State will be sending the bill for climate damages off to Big Oil. The Climate Superfund Bill has been signed!!
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
open.substack.com/pub/billmcki...
This seems likely to end badly
Japan handled downshifting growth pretty well. China looks alarming open.substack.com/pub/paulkrug...
Stagnation With Chinese Characteristics
How not to manage a downshifting economy
open.substack.com
December 27, 2024 at 10:36 PM
This seems likely to end badly
💥 New York makes history! “The companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable,” said Senator Krueger, co-sponsor of a new law
🛢️ Fossil fuel companies will be fined $75 billion over 25 years to fund climate damage repair
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
🛢️ Fossil fuel companies will be fined $75 billion over 25 years to fund climate damage repair
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
New York to fine fossil fuel companies $75 billion under new climate law
New York state will fine fossil fuel companies a total of $75 billion over the next 25 years to pay for damage caused to the climate under a bill Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
December 27, 2024 at 9:53 PM
💥 New York makes history! “The companies most responsible for the climate crisis will be held accountable,” said Senator Krueger, co-sponsor of a new law
🛢️ Fossil fuel companies will be fined $75 billion over 25 years to fund climate damage repair
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
🛢️ Fossil fuel companies will be fined $75 billion over 25 years to fund climate damage repair
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
🌍 Australia’s Circular Economy Framework ♻️
Australia’s new Circular Economy Framework aims to DOUBLE its circularity in 10 years.
What it means:
✅ Diverting 26M tonnes of waste annually
✅ Cutting material footprints by 10%
✅ Boosting resource recovery to 80%
Australia’s new Circular Economy Framework aims to DOUBLE its circularity in 10 years.
What it means:
✅ Diverting 26M tonnes of waste annually
✅ Cutting material footprints by 10%
✅ Boosting resource recovery to 80%
December 18, 2024 at 8:11 PM
🌍 Australia’s Circular Economy Framework ♻️
Australia’s new Circular Economy Framework aims to DOUBLE its circularity in 10 years.
What it means:
✅ Diverting 26M tonnes of waste annually
✅ Cutting material footprints by 10%
✅ Boosting resource recovery to 80%
Australia’s new Circular Economy Framework aims to DOUBLE its circularity in 10 years.
What it means:
✅ Diverting 26M tonnes of waste annually
✅ Cutting material footprints by 10%
✅ Boosting resource recovery to 80%
Climate migration could displace over 215 million people by 2050
The dominant narrative focuses on refugees moving to high-income nations, but the reality is different. Most will remain within their own borders, often settling in informal settlements places already burdened with limited resources
The dominant narrative focuses on refugees moving to high-income nations, but the reality is different. Most will remain within their own borders, often settling in informal settlements places already burdened with limited resources
December 17, 2024 at 10:12 PM
Climate migration could displace over 215 million people by 2050
The dominant narrative focuses on refugees moving to high-income nations, but the reality is different. Most will remain within their own borders, often settling in informal settlements places already burdened with limited resources
The dominant narrative focuses on refugees moving to high-income nations, but the reality is different. Most will remain within their own borders, often settling in informal settlements places already burdened with limited resources
🌳 Danish lawmakers have committed to:
Plant 1 billion trees over 20 years
Convert 10% of farmland into forests to restore nature and cut fertilizer use
🌱 The impact:
Forests will expand by 250,000 hectares, with another 140,000 hectares of damaged land restored.
Plant 1 billion trees over 20 years
Convert 10% of farmland into forests to restore nature and cut fertilizer use
🌱 The impact:
Forests will expand by 250,000 hectares, with another 140,000 hectares of damaged land restored.
Denmark will plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of farmland into forest
Danish lawmakers have agreed on a deal to plant 1 billion trees and convert 10% of farmland into forest and natural habitats in an effort to reduce fertilizer usage over the next two decades.
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2024 at 12:42 PM
🌳 Danish lawmakers have committed to:
Plant 1 billion trees over 20 years
Convert 10% of farmland into forests to restore nature and cut fertilizer use
🌱 The impact:
Forests will expand by 250,000 hectares, with another 140,000 hectares of damaged land restored.
Plant 1 billion trees over 20 years
Convert 10% of farmland into forests to restore nature and cut fertilizer use
🌱 The impact:
Forests will expand by 250,000 hectares, with another 140,000 hectares of damaged land restored.
🌍 Three-quarters of the world’s land is drying up permanently
A UN report shows:
77.6% of land saw drier conditions over 30 years
Drylands now cover 40% of Earth
🌡️ Causes? Climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity
COP16 failed again to agree on a global drought plan
A UN report shows:
77.6% of land saw drier conditions over 30 years
Drylands now cover 40% of Earth
🌡️ Causes? Climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity
COP16 failed again to agree on a global drought plan
UN talks fail to reach agreement on dealing with rising risk of global drought
Despite two weeks of U.N.-sponsored talks in Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, the participating 197 nations failed to agree on a plan to deal with global droughts, made longer and more severe by a warming clima...
tinyurl.com
December 16, 2024 at 12:32 PM
🌍 Three-quarters of the world’s land is drying up permanently
A UN report shows:
77.6% of land saw drier conditions over 30 years
Drylands now cover 40% of Earth
🌡️ Causes? Climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity
COP16 failed again to agree on a global drought plan
A UN report shows:
77.6% of land saw drier conditions over 30 years
Drylands now cover 40% of Earth
🌡️ Causes? Climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity
COP16 failed again to agree on a global drought plan
Unfortunately this is worth resharing. Here's the visual proof of why vaccines do more good than harm.
See year by year how vaccines beat back nine dangerous infectious diseases.
More:
www.science.org/content/arti...
See year by year how vaccines beat back nine dangerous infectious diseases.
More:
www.science.org/content/arti...
December 15, 2024 at 2:17 AM
Unfortunately this is worth resharing. Here's the visual proof of why vaccines do more good than harm.
See year by year how vaccines beat back nine dangerous infectious diseases.
More:
www.science.org/content/arti...
See year by year how vaccines beat back nine dangerous infectious diseases.
More:
www.science.org/content/arti...
🌍 52 years ago, The Blue Marble changed how we see our world.
Taken by Apollo 17 on Dec 8, 1972, it became the most reproduced photo in history.
For the first time, Earth was seen fully, our shared home in one breathtaking frame.
A masterclass in storytelling without words. Stunningly beautiful 💙
Taken by Apollo 17 on Dec 8, 1972, it became the most reproduced photo in history.
For the first time, Earth was seen fully, our shared home in one breathtaking frame.
A masterclass in storytelling without words. Stunningly beautiful 💙
December 15, 2024 at 2:07 AM
🌍 52 years ago, The Blue Marble changed how we see our world.
Taken by Apollo 17 on Dec 8, 1972, it became the most reproduced photo in history.
For the first time, Earth was seen fully, our shared home in one breathtaking frame.
A masterclass in storytelling without words. Stunningly beautiful 💙
Taken by Apollo 17 on Dec 8, 1972, it became the most reproduced photo in history.
For the first time, Earth was seen fully, our shared home in one breathtaking frame.
A masterclass in storytelling without words. Stunningly beautiful 💙
Reposted by Chris Caldwell
Who leads the global electrification race?
China has electrified more than 25% of its final energy use and overtaken the US and Europe.
Source is rmi.org/insight/insi...
China has electrified more than 25% of its final energy use and overtaken the US and Europe.
Source is rmi.org/insight/insi...
December 14, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Who leads the global electrification race?
China has electrified more than 25% of its final energy use and overtaken the US and Europe.
Source is rmi.org/insight/insi...
China has electrified more than 25% of its final energy use and overtaken the US and Europe.
Source is rmi.org/insight/insi...
Time’s covers highlight influence, but history reminds us: influence isn’t immunity.
Jeffrey Epstein (2002), Elizabeth Holmes (2014), and Sam Bankman-Fried all went from media spotlight to prison cells.
Accountability can come for anyone.
Jeffrey Epstein (2002), Elizabeth Holmes (2014), and Sam Bankman-Fried all went from media spotlight to prison cells.
Accountability can come for anyone.
December 14, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Time’s covers highlight influence, but history reminds us: influence isn’t immunity.
Jeffrey Epstein (2002), Elizabeth Holmes (2014), and Sam Bankman-Fried all went from media spotlight to prison cells.
Accountability can come for anyone.
Jeffrey Epstein (2002), Elizabeth Holmes (2014), and Sam Bankman-Fried all went from media spotlight to prison cells.
Accountability can come for anyone.
Reposted by Chris Caldwell
I’ve reported on homelessness for years and met many, many people who have found themselves in awful situations
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
December 11, 2024 at 8:29 AM
I’ve reported on homelessness for years and met many, many people who have found themselves in awful situations
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
Every single one of them had more decency and integrity than this privileged plutocrat
🚧 The planning documentation for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing tunnel is a staggering 360,000 pages and has cost £297 million so far.
For comparison: that’s more than double what Norway spent to actually build the world’s longest road tunnel.
For comparison: that’s more than double what Norway spent to actually build the world’s longest road tunnel.
December 11, 2024 at 11:57 AM
🚧 The planning documentation for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing tunnel is a staggering 360,000 pages and has cost £297 million so far.
For comparison: that’s more than double what Norway spent to actually build the world’s longest road tunnel.
For comparison: that’s more than double what Norway spent to actually build the world’s longest road tunnel.
Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two
🔹 Good + Fast = Not Cheap
High quality quickly? It’ll cost you.
🔹 Fast + Cheap = Not Good
Speed and savings? Quality drops.
🔹 Good + Cheap = Not Fast
Affordable quality? Be patient.
🔹 Good + Fast = Not Cheap
High quality quickly? It’ll cost you.
🔹 Fast + Cheap = Not Good
Speed and savings? Quality drops.
🔹 Good + Cheap = Not Fast
Affordable quality? Be patient.
December 10, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two
🔹 Good + Fast = Not Cheap
High quality quickly? It’ll cost you.
🔹 Fast + Cheap = Not Good
Speed and savings? Quality drops.
🔹 Good + Cheap = Not Fast
Affordable quality? Be patient.
🔹 Good + Fast = Not Cheap
High quality quickly? It’ll cost you.
🔹 Fast + Cheap = Not Good
Speed and savings? Quality drops.
🔹 Good + Cheap = Not Fast
Affordable quality? Be patient.
Reposted by Chris Caldwell
NEW RECORD: 2024 is the first year in history when wind, solar and hydropower generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the UK.
December 10, 2024 at 8:10 AM
NEW RECORD: 2024 is the first year in history when wind, solar and hydropower generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the UK.