Planetary Health covers the collision between technological civilization and the physical systems that support it. Data center energy, e-waste, climate technology, and more.https://cyberpunk.gg/https://jacobin.com/2026/04/decarbonizing-housing-landlords-class-conflict/https://jacobin.com/2026/04/decarbonizing-housing-landlords-class-conflict/Rapid building decarbonization requires challenging landlord power structures, as clean energy transitions clash with profit imperatives. Current policies preserve exploitative economics while claiming climate progress, necessitating deeper systemic overhaul. Equitable retrofits demand public control over privatized housing assets to avert dual crises of emissions and affordability.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:30 GMThttps://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350168/next-frontier-china-maps-seabed-resources-japan-races-tap-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feedhttps://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3350168/next-frontier-china-maps-seabed-resources-japan-races-tap-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feedChina's Ministry of Natural Resources released its first atlas mapping seabed chemical elements, including rare earths, in eastern waters based on two decades of surveys. Japan simultaneously pursues undersea rare earth extraction to diversify from terrestrial dependencies. The moves heighten geopolitical competition over deep-sea minerals essential for clean energy tech and electronics amid terrestrial mining constraints.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:27 GMThttps://www.technologyreview.com/2026/04/16/1135928/carbon-removal-microsoft/https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/04/16/1135928/carbon-removal-microsoft/Microsoft paused new carbon removal purchases after contracting 80% of the nascent market, citing insufficient supply of mature technologies. The decision highlights persistent hurdles in scaling direct air capture and other removal methods despite billions invested. Tech sector's net-zero pledges now risk stalling without viable offsets for unrelenting data center emissions growth.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:23 GMThttps://www.foxnews.com/politics/first-ever-moratorium-ai-data-centers-passes-maine-legislaturehttps://www.foxnews.com/politics/first-ever-moratorium-ai-data-centers-passes-maine-legislatureMaine lawmakers passed a bill imposing a moratorium on large-scale data center development, the first in the U.S., requiring assessment of energy and infrastructure impacts before approvals. The measure targets AI-driven facilities amid surging power demands, now heading to Governor Janet Mills for signature. It aims to protect local resources from rapid tech expansion.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:21 GMThttps://im-mining.com/2026/04/16/first-quantum-and-hitachi-commission-worlds-first-battery-electric-mining-truck-at-kansanshi-mine-in-zambia/https://im-mining.com/2026/04/16/first-quantum-and-hitachi-commission-worlds-first-battery-electric-mining-truck-at-kansanshi-mine-in-zambia/First Quantum Minerals and Hitachi Construction Machinery commissioned the world's first ultra-large battery electric mining truck prototype at the Kansanshi copper and gold mine in Zambia. The EH4000 BEV aims to boost energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and reduce fossil fuel reliance in mining operations critical for clean energy supply chains. Deployment marks a step toward electrifying extractive industries powering the EV and renewable boom.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:20 GMThttps://news.mit.edu/2026/geothermal-energy-turns-red-hot-0415https://news.mit.edu/2026/geothermal-energy-turns-red-hot-0415MIT Energy Initiative symposium outlined strategies for enhanced geothermal systems to deliver reliable, clean power at utility scale from heat-rich rocks. Experts detailed drilling innovations, policy needs, and economic models to overcome intermittency limits of other renewables. Geothermal expansion targets data center and industrial demands amid surging electricity needs.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:20 GMThttps://semiengineering.com/the-thermal-and-power-realities-of-the-ai-era/https://semiengineering.com/the-thermal-and-power-realities-of-the-ai-era/AI systems now consume power at scales rivaling small nations, with thermal management emerging as the binding constraint on further expansion. Industry leaders call for pre-competitive collaboration on cooling, photonics, and advanced packaging to sustain growth. Without breakthroughs, AI deployment faces hard caps from electricity grids and heat dissipation physics.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:37:09 GMT