Mining more critical minerals like lithium and cobalt is essential for building the solar panels, batteries and other clean tech that will power the future. But without proper management, this extraction could come at the expense of local water supplies. New WRI analysis shows that 16% of the world’s land-based critical mineral sites are located in areas facing high levels of water stress, while the methods used to extract critical minerals require significant amounts of water. WRI experts explain what’s needed to grow the world’s clean energy without straining water supplies. Read more.

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Brazil’s Amazon rainforest experienced a record-breaking drought in 2023, fueled at least in part by climate change. Research shows that restoring degraded forests could help solve both problems. Not only can restored trees sequester carbon, evidence shows they can also increase rainfall and cool the air. Read more.

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The United States took a major step forward last week when President Joe Biden paused approvals of liquified natural gas (LNG) export facilities, effectively pumping the brakes on one of the country’s highest-emitting sectors. But this is just one action out of many needed to rein in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. WRI U.S. Director Dan Lashof assesses the state of U.S. climate action across 10 key areas. Read more.

Cecilio Ricardo / USDA Forest Service

“Biomass” — including everything from wood and bark from trees, to plants and animal manure — can help curb climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere and providing an alternative to fossil fuels. But without proper sourcing and production, biomass can actually increase emissions and threaten food security. WRI experts explain. Read more.

Without proper management, the extraction of critical minerals can be a water-intensive and polluting process, which can exacerbate water stress.