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Europe's lab-to-market gap draws proposals from network of more than 120 scientist-innovators
Europe could turn more of its scientific discoveries into new technologies, products and businesses by changing the way it funds innovation and supports researchers, according to a new Policy Forum published in Science.
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Coolest lava world yet with signs of an atmosphere offers clues to early Earth
In the search for extraterrestrial life, it makes sense to first look for rocky planets with an atmosphere, like Earth. Without an atmosphere, a planet can't have surface water. But of the more than 6,300 exoplanets cataloged thus far, the vast majority are not rocky, and only a handful of the rocky worlds appear to have an atmosphere.
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Chocolate giant lobbied U.S. and EU officials over deforestation laws, says report
Food conglomerate Mondelēz International, the owner of chocolate brands Cadbury, Milka, Toblerone and Oreo, has allegedly engaged in an extensive lobbying campaign to weaken and delay enforcement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), according to new analysis by environmental watchdog Global Witness. Under the EUDR, companies selling to the EU must show their forest products, including cocoa, were not produced on land deforested after Dec. 31, 2020. The law was originally slated to come into force in 2024 but will now be implemented from Dec. 31, 2026.
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Fossil fuel subsidies are the ‘worst energy policy in the world,’ researchers say
In an editorial in Science, U.S.-based energy policy experts Paasha Mahdavi and Michael Ross argue that governments creating consumer fossil fuel subsidies in response to rising energy prices is the “worst energy policy in the world.” Mahdavi, an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in the U.S., and Ross, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, write that following increasing fossil fuel prices due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, many countries have adopted subsidies for consumers that keep fossil fuel prices low.
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Man down: Vale the mighty Joe Salas, a colleague and a brother
Friends, I write today with tragic news. A treasured member of the New Atlas team has passed away, and it falls to me to pay some small tribute to a wonderful colleague and a close friend, Joe Salas. Category: Remarkable People, Technology Tags: Deaths, Crazy, New Atlas
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The philosophy of liberalism and how it has transformed our institutions
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GM's new V8s prove the small-block isn't dead yet
GM is making a bold move by introducing larger V8 engines in their upcoming 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 models. Instead of following the trend of downsizing, they’ve opted for 5.7-liter and 6.6-liter naturally aspirated small-block engines, replacing the previous 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s. This shift suggests that GM is betting on the enduring appeal of powerful, traditional engines, even as many manufacturers are focusing on smaller, more fuel-efficient options. It’ll be interesting to see how this decision resonates with consumers who appreciate the classic V8 experience.
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Your Weekly Dose of Climate Hope: April 12, 2026
A new report from Ember highlights rapid advancements in renewable energy, especially in developing countries where solar and wind generation is surging. Interestingly, many nations are installing more solar power than their governments officially recognize. In India, the government has set ambitious targets to cut emissions intensity by 47% and boost non-fossil energy to 60% by 2035, and they’re already seeing impressive progress.
In wildlife news, the endangered banteng population in Thailand is rebounding, and innovative conservation efforts, like artificial roosts for the Florida bonneted bat, are showing promise. India’s new wildlife underpass is helping various species safely navigate infrastructure.
On the tech side, BYD has introduced ultra-fast EV chargers, and Zambia’s copper mines are electrifying rapidly. A solar panel cleaning robot is also set to hit the European market, enhancing solar efficiency. Lastly, a cultural shift in Zambia is leading to increased leopard populations, thanks to a move away from real furs. These stories reflect a growing commitment to sustainability and conservation worldwide.
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Your Daily Dose of Climate Hope: Interview with CEO Tsung Xu of Vight, Electric Flying Car Startup
Tsung Xu, the founder and CEO of Vight, has gained attention for his journey from building a homemade VTOL drone in his garage to leading a startup focused on electric flying cars. His initial project aimed for a 130-mile flight range, though he only managed a crash before reaching that goal. Xu's background isn't in aerospace; he learned 3D printing and CAD design along the way. He highlights the clash between legacy regulations and modern technology, noting that even small drones can fall under strict export controls.
Xu believes the U.S. is making strides in eVTOL regulations, particularly with the new FAA MOSAIC regulations, which are designed for personal use aircraft. He sees this as a significant opportunity for innovation in the industry. The advancements in battery technology and electric motors are crucial, as they provide the necessary power and control for flying vehicles that weren't feasible in the past. This progress opens doors for urban air mobility, which Xu is eager to explore with Vight.
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Your Daily Dose of Climate Hope: April 14, 2026
The global electrotech revolution is accelerating even more around the world, but America keeps holding itself back. Leading think tank Ember has a great new report underscoring just how fast progress has become in the global electrotech revolution. Around the world, developing countries are skyrocketing on key metrics like solar and wind as % of generation, battery sales, EV sales as % of car sales, and electrification itself (the percentage of total energy demand met with electrons as opposed to combustion).