1.
Feathery fast-zipping solo tent strips weight well under 1 pound
So I just read about this new tent from Zpacks, it's a solo tent that's really lightweight, under 1 pound. It's not a freestanding tent, so you'll need to stake it down, but it's designed to be super easy to set up with just one pole. The idea is that it's perfect for backpackers or anyone who's going to be deep in the wilderness and needs something that's both lightweight and convenient.
The material is Dyneema, which is known for being really strong and durable, but also super light. I think this could be a great option for anyone who's looking to shave some weight off their pack without sacrificing too much in terms of comfort and convenience. It's not a huge tent, obviously, since it's a solo tent, but it seems like it could be a good choice for anyone who's looking for a reliable and lightweight option.
I'm not sure how it compares to other tents on the market in terms of price, but it seems like it could be a good investment for anyone who's serious about backpacking or bikepacking. The fact that it's so lightweight and easy to set up makes it seem like it could be a really good choice for anyone who's going to be on the move a lot.
2.
Cyborg cockroaches go amphibious ... thanks to a new diving suit
What sounds more terrifying than a part-cockroach, part-robot cyborg? Definitely one that can also breathe underwater. Yet, this is exactly what researchers have just created, except they are replacing “terrifying” with “useful.” Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore and Waseda University in Japan have created a soft, flexible diving suit for cyborg cockroaches.
3.
South African genomics projects direct 10% of budgets to community-chosen benefits
South Africa is pioneering new ways to embed ethical benefit sharing in genomics research through community-led decision-making. Speaking at the World Congress of Bioethics (WCB) in Johannesburg on 8–10 July, Ngoni Ngwarai, assistant director of systems and operations at the SAMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), presented an operational blueprint for researchers, universities, funders and industry partners seeking to translate ethical principles into practical action.
4.
Why nature has never evolved a perfect weapon for any species
From a snake's venomous fangs to the sharp spines that cover a cactus, puncture tools can be found right across the animal kingdom. While they come in all shapes and sizes, there's a fascinating force driving their diverse designs.
Category: Biology, Science, Refractor: Science & Health
Tags: University of Illinois, Animal science, Animals, Evolution, Charles Darwin, Weapon, nature, Self-defense, Resources, Energy-efficient
5.
AlexAI on rising electricity bills prices, how to deal with used nuclear fuel, and smarter forest management
So you're curious about electricity bills rising in New Jersey. It's likely due to a combination of factors, including increased demand from new residents and businesses, as well as the state's transition to renewable energy sources. New Jersey's renewable portfolio standard requires utilities to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, which can drive up costs. Additionally, the state's aging infrastructure and high transmission costs also contribute to rising electricity bills.
Now, let's talk about New England's natural gas shortages. The region's reliance on imported natural gas from Canada and the Gulf of Mexico makes it vulnerable to supply disruptions. The lack of infrastructure to transport and store natural gas also exacerbates the problem. It's not just a matter of demand outpacing supply, but also the region's limited ability to store and transport gas during the winter months.
Regarding used nuclear fuel, deep geologic disposal is indeed a long-term solution, but it's still in the experimental phase. The US Department of Energy is currently developing a deep geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, but the project has been stalled for decades due to regulatory and funding issues. While it's not a perfect solution, it's one of the most promising options for managing nuclear waste.
Hydrogen is not a game-changer just yet. While it has potential applications in niche industries like transportation and power generation, it's still a relatively expensive and inefficient source of energy. The high cost of producing and storing hydrogen makes it less competitive with other energy sources, at least for now.
Finally, smarter forest management can indeed reduce wildfires, but it's not a silver bullet. Thinning forests, creating fire breaks, and conducting prescribed burns can all help mitigate the risk of wildfires. However, it's a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach, including land-use planning, fire prevention, and emergency response.
6.
The National Academies' perversion of science
The piece is an opinion essay, not a new study or meta‑analysis, so its claims aren’t backed by fresh data—just the author’s interpretation of existing statistics. It points to a 98 % drop in climate‑related disaster deaths from the 1920s to the 2010s, citing the EM‑DAT database, and says that when you adjust damages for GDP the overall economic impact looks flat. From that baseline, the author argues that fossil‑fuel energy has been the main driver of the decline, calling this “fossil‑fueled climate mastery.”
The writer then criticizes the National Academies’ recent report, saying it ignores those benefits and only highlights the negative side of greenhouse‑gas emissions. He labels this omission “fossil‑fuel benefit denial,” suggesting the report is deliberately one‑sided and therefore misleading.
He also notes that the Academies’ report admits it didn’t factor in adaptation measures or the economic value of fossil fuels, which, in his view, makes the analysis incomplete. The article ends by comparing the report to a hypothetical study that would deny the existence of vaccines while discussing polio risk.
Overall, the article is a polemic rather than a balanced scientific review; it leans heavily on the author’s perspective that fossil fuels have net positive climate effects, despite the broader consensus that their emissions pose long‑term risks.
7.
Talking points roundup: the myth of "peak oil," rising electricity prices in Pennsylvania, heat-related deaths in Europe, and more
Here are some of my favorite talking points I’ve created or shared this week.
On what’s causing rising electricity prices in Pennsylvania:
What caused PA electric bills to increase so much recently?
Anti-fossil-fuel policies, including prohibitions on reliable fossil fuel power and subsidies for unreliable solar/wind, prevented the supply of reliable power from keeping up with demand.
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On the UK’s disastrous anti-fossil-fuel policies:
How not to do energy policy:
The UK banned fracking, intentionally stifled its natural gas production, and bet on “green” (mostly wind) energy.
Th
8.
How our "knowledge system" ignores the benefits of fossil fuels
This is the first of 11 “Alex Notes” on my book Fossil Future—like Cliff’s Notes, but actually written by the author. Enjoy!
(Some of you will remember that I started creating “Alex notes” as part of the Fossil Future book launch, but never got past Part 1. I’m doing them a bit differently this time around, and most importantly I’ll finish them!
Also, for those who preordered Fossil Future or who are premium subscribers to this newsletter, I’m doing a special live event “How to talk to anyone about climate change” on October 23.
9.
The "Levelized Cost of Energy" scam
LCOE must die.
If you ever hear anyone favorably compare solar and wind to coal, gas, or nuclear by citing a low LCOE—“Levelized Cost of Energy”—you are being scammed.
LCOE explicitly ignores “reliability-related considerations” and is therefore a garbage metric.1
You’ve heard it over and over: “Solar and wind are now cheaper than fossil fuels.”
You might suspect something is wrong here, because if solar and wind were so cheap their developers wouldn’t always be asking for subsidies, or claim the sky is falling when subsidies are taken away.2The suspicious claim that “Solar and wind are now ch
10.
AlexAI on blackouts, electricity demand from data centers, coastal insurance pricing, and Alaska oil and gas
Here are 5 answers my AI, AlexAI, gave to user questions this week.
Want to ask AlexAI a question, have a discussion with him, or have him help you with energy communication? Give him a try at alexepstein.ai! And keep the feedback coming, it helps AlexAI improve every week.
1. Are blackouts in Texas and California a warning sign for the rest of the country?
2. Can our electric grid really handle the explosion of new data centers for Al?
3. Why is Alaska an excellent place for oil and natural gas production?
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