In the past week, I studied the avalanche of financial quarterly press releases from companies including ASM International (ASMI), Tesla, Meta Platforms, Texas Instruments, and BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI). All of these releases share similar characteristics: as a reader, you must stay focused on the content of the press releases. However, for an investor, it is increasin ...
The societal impact of dropping things
With the demand for green energy rising to facilitate the climate transition, all efforts are being directed towards deploying renewable energy sources. Commissioning of wind and solar energy is at an all-time high, and while these sources will undoubtedly spearhead the energy transition, there are still some concerns that need addressing. One major concern is the storage of th ...
The curious case of home improvement retail in the U.S.
Specialty home improvement retailing refers to the distribution of building materials, tools, lawn and garden products, decorations, etc., catering to both professionals (such as residential contractors) and do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts. This sector represents a significant segment of the U.S. economy with an estimated market size of USD 1 trillion. Of this, USD 525 billion ...
Blowing Away Expectations: Record-breaking year for wind energy in 2023
The release of the Global Wind Report by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) depicts 2023 as a landmark year in the push for renewable energy, characterized by unprecedented growth. This surge in wind energy capacity not only reflects a significant technological advancement, but also comes from a broader commitment to sustainable energy practices worldwide. The global wind ...
This is how they tell me the world ends
If a title like " This is how they tell me the world ends" doesn't capture your attention, I'm not sure what will. The phrase is the title of a book authored by Nicole Perlroth. Perlroth, an American journalist, has garnered recognition for her extensive reporting on cybersecurity and digital espionage. Since 2011, she has served as a cybersecurity reporter for The New York Tim ...
Beyond 1.5°c: global warming's new peaks and what they mean
This week's Climate Shocker could only be on one topic – a pivotal moment in our planet's global warming trends. According to the latest report from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, a disturbing milestone was reached: March 2024 experienced temperatures 1.68°C higher than the pre-industrial average (1850-1900) for the month[1]. What's more, this represents the tenth conse ...
Flying cloud factories: planes produce more than carbon dioxide alone
In 2018, planes around the world, both passenger and freight, emitted 1 billion tons of CO2, accounting for 2.5% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions[1]. The aviation industry is a known contributor to climate change, which is why these CO2 emissions are regulated by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Unfortunately, the CO2 emissions do not provide the whole picture regard ...
Money for Nothing - the alarming rise of Meme investing
The alarming rise of Meme investing: Money for Nothing And then you turn on the TV, and there's just more of it. The $87 Million lottery winner, that kid actor that just made 20 million on his last movie, that internet stock that shot through the roof, you could have made millions if you had just gotten in early, and that's exactly what I wanted to do: get in. (The Boiler room ...
EU Taxonomy: Solution or Driver of Greenwashing?
In a bold stride towards a greener future, the European Union unveiled the EU Taxonomy, a pioneering framework with the ambitious goal of steering the financial sector towards sustainability. This innovative classification system seeks to define what truly constitutes an environmentally sustainable economic activity. Its mission? To combat greenwashing by promoting transparency ...
Cracking the code of electric steam cracking
Modern economies are enabled by the industrial production of essentials materials, a process that is often accompanied by substantial carbon dioxide emissions. In 2020, the industrial sector was responsible for 36% of global final energy consumption, with the majority of this energy derived from fossil fuels. Consequently, the industry is accountable for one-fourth of global en ...