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Global Financial Industry Retreat From Coal Hasn’t Cut Its Funding: Analysis (Maria)

The author writes, “Financial industry pledges to move away from coal haven’t translated into reduced worldwide funding, per a new analysis from environmental groups. Coal is the most CO2-intensive fuel, and its future trajectory will help dictate how much global warming occurs. The report from German NGO Urgewald and other groups traces funding since the 2021 UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland. … The data comes as global energy demand is rising, bringing new consumption records across sources.”

Are We About to Have Labor Camps in the United States of America? (Reader Jim)

From The New Republic: “One aspect of the Republicans’ big, ugly bill that didn’t get enough attention until Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez elevated it over the last few days is the massive amounts of money it directs to the apprehension and detention of immigrants. … The next day—the Fourth of July, as fate would have it, when President Trump signed the bill into law—historian Timothy Snyder posted a column on Substack under the blunt headline ‘Concentration Camp Labor.’ If AOC’s post and Snyder’s headline sound hyperbolic to you, consider what’s actually in this new law. It includes $170 billion for immigration enforcement: about $50 billion to build a wall on the southern border, $30 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $45 billion for detention camps.”

Canada Authorized $37.2 Million In New Military Exports To Israel (Sean)

The author writes, “Data from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) shows that in February the Liberal government authorized two new military export permits to Israel worth a combined total of $37.2 million. GAC insists it has not authorized any new export permits for goods that it believes could be used in Gaza, but won’t answer questions about whether or not this policy applies to Israel’s military operations in other regions. The newly authorized goods fall under an export category that includes ‘bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges, and related equipment and accessories,’ and another category that concerns military ‘technology.’”

Trump’s DOGE Cuts Are a Texas-Sized Disaster (Dana)

From Texas Observer: “President Donald Trump’s commitment to ‘energy dominance’ would seem to be good news for the Texas economy. But in the administration’s reversal of environmental policies — including via the chaos of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) trashing federal agencies — it is easy to overlook changes that are of particular importance for the state. Federal resources for managing climate-augmented weather disasters are being wiped out, and crucial information about future risks is being destroyed or degraded. Meanwhile, state leaders stand by while denying the seriousness of climate change as a driver of these events — and the threat this poses to the state economy.”

How Do You Escape a Heat Wave When You Have Nowhere to Go? (Laura)

From Inside Climate News: “People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to the health ramifications of extreme heat, which is worsening due to climate change. Finding a cool place at night is a particular challenge.”

‘The Vehicle Suddenly Accelerated With Our Baby in It’: The Terrifying Truth About Why Tesla’s Cars Keep Crashing (Siobhán)

From The Guardian: “Elon Musk is obsessive about the design of his supercars, right down to the disappearing door handles. But a series of shocking incidents — from drivers trapped in burning vehicles to dramatic stops on the highway — have led to questions about the safety of the brand. Why won’t Tesla give any answers?”

Scientists Reveal Your Morning Coffee Flips an Ancient Longevity Switch (Mili)

The author writes, “Caffeine has long been linked to potential health benefits, including reduced risk of age-related diseases. But how it works inside our cells, and what exactly are its connections with nutrient and stress responsive gene and protein networks has remained a mystery — until now. In new research published by scientists studying fission yeast — a single-celled organism surprisingly similar to human cells — researchers found that caffeine affects aging by tapping into an ancient cellular energy system.”