The Guardian (June 26, 2025) China breaks more records with massive build up of wind and solar power. Retrieved January 25, 2026. From https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/26/china-breaks-more-records-with-massive-build-up-of-wind-and-solar-power

Summary: China has been doing an excellent job at expanding the amount of energy produced by solar and wind power. They have recently added huge numbers of solar panels and wind turbines, faster then the pace of any other country, and enough to power the entirety of nations like Poland and Sweden. Despite their success, the cost of installations for solar panels and wind turbines is still very expensive and an economic burden. Chinas biggest solar companies reported huge losses, and have described the industry as a death trap. Additionally, China is still the largest contributor of emissions, even though they are also the biggest supplier and installer of clean energy technology.

Abstract: Chinas success is a great model and example of how to actually develop better renewable energy technologies, turning it into a source of energy that is very reliable. Because of this, many other countries will now be able to follow in their footsteps and utilize some of their advancements, which would be a overall benefit to our environment. We can also learn from Chinas mistakes and where they fall short, such as finding ways to cut down on the expenses of implementing renewables so that the market actually has a incentive to further utilize them. Despite this, I think our progress needs to come faster because of how our emissions and burning of fossil fuels is still continuing to grow. 

Utility Dive (January 15, 2026) Global wind power additions to decline 6% in 2026. Retrieved January 25th, 2026. From

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/global-wind-power-trump-woodmac/809719/

Summary: While global wind power growth is still happening, it is projected to be less of a growth than in previous years by 6%. This is largely due to the fact that China is beginning to slow its production of wind energy sources. Additionally, the U.S has also slowed down in its growth of wind energy because of Trump’s dislike towards it. His policies are actively trying to create obstacles for new construction plans of wind turbines, specifically offshore projects. Trump also continues to cancel major projects located on federal lands, which is another hit to wind power growth. However, some of Trump’s efforts against wind energy is being pushed back by courts which are unfreezing the construction of some large offshore wind projects.

Abstract: While it is still good that wind energy is growing, the fact that nations are putting less emphasis on its expansion is concerning. Right now, we need to make huge pushes towards adopting clean energy, and this is an overall bad sign. I also don’t understand Trump’s hostility towards wind energy and why he is making such a big effort to thwart the construction of new projects. If we want to mitigate the damage that we inflict on our environment, cutting down emissions and usage of fossil fuels is absolutely necessary to prevent further global warming. This is why we need to start investing money in opportunities for clean energy, so that we don’t have to spend as much to deal with the effects of climate change.

Reuters (January 21, 2026) Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in EU power supply. Retrieved January 25, 2026. From

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/wind-solar-overtake-fossil-fuels-eu-power-supply-2026-01-21/

Summary:  Usage of Wind and Solar energy has recently surpassed fossil fuel energy in the EU. This is a big advancement as it shows how our reliance on fossil fuels has significantly reduced. Now around 70% of the EU’s total energy usage comes from clean and renewable sources. Despite the improvement, problems still remain as many European countries are still refusing to adopt policies that support the development of solar and wind energy. Additionally, the EU’s power grid needs to better adapt so it can make full use of the energy produced by solar and wind, which includes larger battery storage. 

Abstract: I find this to be a great accomplishment for the EU as using 70% clean energy means a large reduction in emissions from fossil fuels. Although this is still good progress, there are still many problems that need to be addressed soon so that we can see better results in utilizing renewable energy. The first major change that needs to be made is improving electrical grids so that energy from renewable sources isn’t so expensive. This would actually create a market incentive to stay away from fossil fuels and invest more in solar and wind, along with other renewables. Additionally, the article mentions that transportation is still producing a significant amount of emissions, which just shows that we still have a lot of work left to do.

The Guardian (October 6, 2025) Global renewable energy generation surpasses coal for first time. Retrieved January 25, 2026. From

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/07/global-renewable-energy-generation-surpasses-coal-first-time

Summary: This article starts by mentioning how global renewable energy sources actually have generated more energy this year than fossil fuels. This was largely possible due to China and India, which have been expanding their utilization of renewables exponentially, while attempting to leave behind fossil fuels. China is also expected to remain the worlds biggest growth market for renewables after adding more renewable energy generation than the entire world combined this year. On the other hand, America and Europe have been slacking in this department, with both of them actually increasing their fossil fuel usage by roughly 16% over the year.

Abstract: The overall news of renewables surpassing fossil fuels is great, especially for the environment as we can begin to cut down on our emissions and reduce its impact on our atmosphere along with other things. Even so, I would expect the U.S and Europe to be following these trends and make big steps in reducing their fossil fuel usage, but they have been doing the exact opposite. Instead, it has been China and India setting the example and making all the changes that we can’t seem to do. If we want to really begin to cut back on our global emissions, we need all nations to be making an active effort to do so, otherwise, the problems will only continue to worsen.

AP News ( October 6, 2025) Solar and wind power has grown faster than electricity demand this year, report says. Retrieved January 25, 2026. From

https://apnews.com/article/climate-renewable-wind-solar-coal-electricity-demand-abf7b587b038bf7580de1baee6576bbc

Summary: This article begins by talking about how solar and wind energy are expanding a lot globally, so much so that it has outpaced the growing demand for energy this past year. Reports show that solar energy grew by 33% in the first half of the year, and wind grew by 7.7%, which shows that we can begin to rely on renewable energy more. Additionally, the article then talks about how the use of fossil fuels globally has dropped by less than 1%. Despite this being such a small drop, it is still significant as it shows that this is the turning point in fossil fuel use. Places like China and India have done a great job in reducing the use of fossil fuels and expanding renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, places like the U.S have increased their usage of fossil fuels due to President Trump’s support of them, which is an ever-growing problem and will have long term effects.

Abstract: I find this news to be great, as it shows that renewable energy sources are finally being developed enough that we can safely start to rely more on them. This is extremely important because that leads us away from environmentally harmful sources of energy, specifically fossil fuels. With the world starting to step back from fossil fuels, we will be able to greatly cut our emissions and take big steps towards addressing climate change. Despite this great progress, the U.S is still lagging behind in expanding renewable sources and reducing its usage of fossil fuels. Our current administration is leading us in the wrong direction, and if we don’t take action, we will continue to be the problem.

China is currently building what could become the world’s largest solar farm, located on the Tibetan Plateau, it’s the size of Chicago. This project is a part of China’s push to meet its national goal and expand renewable energy capacity.Just in the first half of 2025, they have already installed 212 GW of solar power and 51 GW of wind which will be used to power up 5 million homes.This will outpace the entire U.S solar total from the end of 2024.With this new building it has helped reduce China’s carbon emissions by about 1%.Whats so amazing about this building is that its still allows sheep to graze underneath the solar panels which will help reduce the soil erosion.Although this is an amazing project China still relies of coal and due to the outdated grid structure it could hold back the buildings full potential.

This article relates to environmental science because it shows how important new large scale renewable energy projects are to the world.This project sheds light on how China is planning to lower emissions and support sustainable land use. I thought it was cool how they were able to build an amazing renewable energy building while still letting sheep remain on the land to graze. Which is also helping to soil.  This building isn’t just helping renewable energy but the soil as well.

(2025, August 20). China’s carbon emissions are falling but not fast enough. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/china-climate-solar-wind-carbon-emissions-ab119c39f226cfbeb2f5c1449747cae9

In The Guardian’s opinion piece it challenges the growing pessimism that surrounds the fight for climate efforts. Although fossil fuels still have a great influence and supply about 68% of global energy, the switch over to renewable energy is starting to gain popularity. Both solar and wind are expected to account for over 90% of electricity demand growth in 2025 and may surpass coal by 2026. In China alone coal has dropped from 73% to 51%.Which just goes to show the clear shift towards clean energy.This article argues that although renewable energy may not be working as fast as some may want, sharing that is has not done anything is completely false.What we should be doing is continuing to invest in clean energy because it is clear that results do happen.

This article relates to environmental science because it uses data from around the world to challenge climate haters and highlight how renewable energy is changing the game. It shows how with time progress will come, which is the case for clean energy.But it is better to wait for results then to continue to use fossil fuels that release CO2 and are bad for the environment.

Morton, A. (2025, August 19). Voices arguing that climate action is a waste of time are getting louder. Here’s why they are wrong. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2025/aug/20/voices-arguing-climate-crisis-action-is-a-waste-of-time-are-wrong?utm_source=chatgpt.com

There has been a global shift towards renewable energy which has reached a “positive tipping point”, making wind and solar powered energy both cheaper and more common, according to the U.N.’s 2025 report. Just in the past year 74% of electricity growth has come from renewables, and 92.5% of all new energy added to grids worldwide have been from clean sources.Reports are showing that solar and wind are now the cheapest energy sources globally. Solar is now 41% cheaper and wind is 53% cheaper than the lowest fossil fuels, which are already bad for the environment.The drop in prices is starting to create a cycle where renewable energy continues to grow and look good while fossil fuels start to become less competitive and just look bad not just for the environment but economically as well.

This article connects with Environmental science because it focuses on how clean energy can help reduce climate change and pollution.Showing how technology and economics can drive environmental change. The fact that solar and wind are now cheaper than fossil fuels is what surprised me the most from reading this article.Which provides the renewable energy isn’t just for the plant, just your bank accounts too.

Seth Borenstein. (2025, July 22). UN Says Global Shift to Renewable Energy Hits Positive Tipping Point. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-solar-wind-power-fossil-fuels-6aca4846e594ea8405f91edda39a03ad

Deines, T. (2025, July 10). In the Sweltering Southwest, Planting Solar Panels in Farmland Can Help Both Photovoltaics and Crops. Inside Climate News https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10072025/agrivoltaic-solar-southwest-farmland/  

Inside Climate News reported in July on research from the University of Arizona about agrivoltaics in desert farming. Scientists have been running experiments for seven years to see how growing crops underneath solar panels affects both the plants and the panels. They found some surprising benefits being the shade from solar panels actually helps crops grow better in hot and dry climates and cuts irrigation needs by more than half. In the Tucson desert, researchers were getting basil leaves as big as their palm. The reason this works so well is that the panels create shade, which reduces how fast water evaporates from the soil, so moisture stays available to plants longer. Plus having plants growing underneath actually makes the solar panels work better because of the cooling effect from the vegetation helps keep the panels from overheating.

This article caught my attention because it shows how creative thinking can solve what seemed like competing problems. A lot of people worry that building solar farms means losing farmland and reducing food production, but agrivoltaics proves that’s not necessarily true. You can generate clean electricity and grow food on the same piece of land at the same time. For the drought stricken Southwest, this is especially important because climate change is making the region hotter and drier every year. The article mentions that solar panels work best around 75 degrees fahrenheit, but in the desert they get way hotter, which reduces their efficiency. Growing crops underneath helps cool them down. At the same time, the crops benefit from protection against heat stress and need way less water. However, the article also discusses some challenges. Many large scale farmers are skeptical because agrivoltaic systems require more labor and different equipment which increases costs. There’s also concerns about taking productive farmland out of traditional use. I think this shows that even good environmental solutions face real economic and practical obstacles. We need more research and probably better financial support to help farmers transition to these systems. It’s a good reminder that addressing climate change and resource scarcity requires innovation and flexibility, not just sticking with old methods.