Oak Ridge National Laboratory is accelerating cleantech innovation in the Southeast by hosting early-stage startups at the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. Its “Innovation Crossroads” program provides funding, lab access, and mentoring for hard tech founders solving decarbonization challenges.
New Cohort announced.
Takeaways: 

▪️ Public-private R&D accelerator embedded at a national lab

▪️ Focused on deep tech: energy and advanced materials

▪️ Offers two-year fellowships, access to supercomputers and prototyping

▪️ Program alumni include DAC, sustainable concrete, hydrogen storage, and SMR and much more

▪️ Critical Southeast hub for climate entrepreneurship 

 

A gap is widening between the speed of technological innovation in climate solutions and the ability of financing models to support them. From industrial decarbonization to next-gen batteries, the article outlines how finance must evolve to keep pace.
Takeaways:  

🔹 Venture timelines often mismatch with climate hardware commercialization

🔹 Institutional investors are cautious on tech risk, despite climate urgency

🔹 Climate-aligned project finance and blended capital needed for scale

🔹 Policy certainty and demand signals can unlock private-sector dollars

🔹 Urges new financial archetypes: climate funds, catalytic capital, and hybrid models

 

The OBBB took direct aim at solar and wind renewable energy. Let's hope the districts (mostly red and rural) fight back on what will be a rise in electricity price and loss of jobs.
Despite political attacks, data shows that wind and solar power have helped keep the Texas grid afloat during high-demand periods. In June’s heatwaves, renewables supplied over 40% of the power — debunking claims they’re a grid liability. 
Takeaways:  

➤ Renewables hit record highs during summer peak demand

➤ Gas plant outages highlighted the need for diverse generation

➤ Texas has more installed wind + solar than any other U.S. state

➤ Critics overlook grid resilience gains from storage and forecasting

➤ The data directly contradicts political rhetoric

 

Scientists have detected rhythmic pulses deep beneath Africa’s mantle, possibly tied to massive geological features that influence plate tectonics and volcanic activity. The findings could shed light on long-term climate cycles and Earth’s deep interior dynamics.
Takeaways:  

▪️ Signals come from deep mantle structures below southern Africa

▪️ Pulses occur in multi-year intervals, suggesting long-term geophysical cycles

▪️ May help explain volcanic hotspots and tectonic motion

▪️ Adds insight into how deep Earth processes affect surface systems, including climate

My good friend, Erin Martin from my Climatebase days is working on this fascinating project.
Resin8 is an engineered aggregate made from mixed plastic waste, designed to be blended into concrete and asphalt. It's currently used in buildings, roads, and bricks — a climate-friendly alternative to landfill and incineration.
Takeaways:  

🔸 Converts unrecyclable plastics into durable building material

🔸 Reduces weight, improves insulation and compressive strength

🔸 Certified for use in dozens of countries, with multiple partners

🔸 Each ton of Resin8 diverts ~1.5 tons of CO₂ emissions and landfill waste

 

I spent four weeks with family and friends in Paris and beyond. Throughout the trip what I witnessed was the priority and normalcy of prioritizing sustainability and a healthier planet. No politics or finger-pointing, just pride in the work that drives better economic outcomes, energy security, human and planetary health. Here's a taste of where we went. If you ever need some recommendations, I'm your gal.

All photos are copyrighted and are my own.
Here's a link to see them.