Wednesday, June 17 2026 Climate Solutions Update

In 2025, the global energy landscape experienced a pivotal shift as 814 GW of new solar and wind capacity was installed, surpassing fossil fuel additions of 158 GW for the first time. This marked the end of the era of King Coal, signaling a transition to a new dominance of renewable sources in electricity production. Concurrently, grassroots organizations in Africa are increasingly adopting agroecology, a farming approach that works with nature, as a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, supported by flexible funding from ClimateWorks and the African Climate Foundation.

As the urgency to protect coral reefs intensifies, new evidence indicates that over 165,000 square kilometers of coral reefs can potentially recover from climate impacts—three times more than previously understood—though only 28 percent of climate-resilient reefs are currently protected. Additionally, nine Northeast states and the District of Columbia are collaborating on an offshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network aimed at reducing electricity costs and improving reliability while facilitating offshore wind deployment. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, comes amidst criticism of past energy policies, notably from Sierra Club Senior Advisor Nancy Pyne regarding former President Trump’s ban on wind energy. Collectively, these developments underscore a critical juncture in the advancement of sustainable energy and environmental resilience.

In California’s Southern Desert, researchers found that integrating perovskite tandem PV into agrivoltaics can significantly reduce emissions, enhancing food production and conserving water in lettuce farming.
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Grassroots organizations across Africa are transforming food systems as flexible funding supports agroecology initiatives, enhancing local resilience and reducing reliance on harmful agrochemicals.
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In 2025, global electricity production shifted dramatically as renewables surpassed coal for the first time, marking a pivotal moment for solar, wind, and batteries.
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The US can lead the global carbon removal market by implementing the new federal policy roadmap for CDR, which addresses funding and standards to scale up innovative solutions.
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Governments and local partners are enhancing reef management in coastal areas, as new evidence shows coral reefs can recover, vital for protecting ecosystems and communities.
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Nine Northeast states are advancing renewable energy by developing an offshore HVDC transmission network, which will lower electricity costs and enhance reliability along the Atlantic Coast.
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In China, a new satellite model is enhancing solar energy efficiency as it accurately maps panel temperatures, leading to improved photovoltaic power simulations.
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Rivian is advancing electric vehicle adoption in Georgia as they build a new factory and enhance grid services, making EVs more accessible and beneficial for consumers and utilities alike.
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Places mentioned in this update: Africa, Arizona, Atlantic Coast, California, China, District of Columbia, Georgia, Northeast, Southern Desert, US