Pope Francis had become one of the most influential voices on the moral side of climate change. Back in 2015, he released an encyclical called Laudato Si', where he framed environmental issues not just as scientific or political problems, but as deep moral and spiritual ones. He emphasized that climate change affects everyone—but especially the poor and vulnerable who contribute the least to the problem yet suffer the most from its effects. At the end of the show, we look back.

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🔋 CATL’s Battery Breakthrough China’s battery giant CATL just unveiled technology that can charge an EV in just five minutes while also performing well in cold weather and offering over 500 km (320 miles) of range. They're even rolling out sodium-ion batteries to replace traditional 12V batteries, reducing fire risk and cost.

🎒 Chicago Teachers Union Bargains for the Planet In a groundbreaking new contract, the Chicago Teachers Union added climate initiatives to their demands. If approved, the deal will bring solar to 30 schools, heat pumps, and clean energy job training — all in partnership with local labor unions.

🗣️ Thomas L. Friedman on China: “We’re Screwed”

🏢 Climate Action in NYC A Manhattan housing co-op has gone fully electric.

📬 Listener Mail: Greetings from Japan

⚡ The Lightning Round

• New York injects $30M more into EV rebates.

• Robots are fixing China's grid.

• Tesla’s mega-charger (168 stalls!) is coming to California.

Pope Francis and the climate.

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See you in one week!

In Sierra Leone, solar power is saving lives—literally. A neonatal intensive care unit that once faced constant blackouts is now powered by a solar microgrid with lithium-ion batteries. The result? A surge from 10 newborns a month in 2013 to 140 today, with hundreds of lives saved each year thanks to reliable, renewable power.

(Sorry, we had to remix this episode twice! James does NOT have a brain tumor.)

Watch Michael Liebreich's documentary from his Cleaning Up YouTube channel:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/solar-hospital-126744571?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

A historic win for climate accountability: the UN's maritime agency has passed the first international emissions cap for global shipping.

Also this week: New research shows that cleaner air boosts solar power generation.

Plus: A U.S. jury has ordered Greenpeace to pay $660 million in damages over its role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

• Florida has overtaken California

• It’s illegal to bike your kids to school in Ontario.

• J.D. Vance called the people of China "peasants." We had thoughts.

Links Mentioned:

• Solar Brightening Boosts Power Output – Bloomberg

• Greenpeace Verdict and the Future of Activism – Bloomberg

• UN Shipping Emissions Vote – BBC

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Texas offers billions to build gas power plants—but no one wants the cash. Developers say renewables are just too cheap. Meanwhile, Delhi cracks down on combustion cars, Viking unveils a zero-emission cruise ship, and salmon are swimming free thanks to dam removal.

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In this episode:

• Texas’ Energy Gamble: A $5B loan program for new gas plants is falling apart. Developers say costs and market risks are too high. Read more
• Viking's Hydrogen Cruise Ship: The Viking Libra launches in 2026 as the world's first zero-emission hydrogen-powered cruise ship. Details
• Barcelona's All-Electric Ferry: New ferry runs 21 hours on a single charge. Story
• Delhi’s Combustion Crackdown: Starting April 15, vehicles older than 10–15 years can’t refuel. Big bans are coming by 2035. Read
• UK Adjusts Its Ban: ICE vehicle sales end in 2030, hybrids get a 5-year extension. Details
• Salmon Return to the Klamath: Four dam removals bring salmon back to Oregon and California rivers. Watch the doc
• Fleet EV Update: James reflects on EV truck adoption and fights battery myths. CATL eyes Nio’s battery swap network. More

Lightning Round:

• Russia struggles as oil nears $50/barrel
• Toyota plans 10 new EVs by 2027 (link)
• Audi halts U.S. deliveries due to tariffs
• BYD sells 6,500 EVs in March in the UK (+750%)
• Pakistan multiplies solar capacity 17x in 2024
• Illinois EV adoption up 50%, fueled by $4,000 rebate
• Solar power is doubling globally every 3 years
• Over 100 oil refineries face shutdown by 2035
• Clean electricity surpassed 40% globally in 2024 Source

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