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WRI DIGEST *↓*
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*In this issue:*

* New Data: Forest Carbon Hits 2-Decade Low ( #blurb1 )
* How to Cool a City — Even Without A/C ( #blurb2 )
* The Latest on Deep-Sea Mining ( #blurb3 )
* New Tech Can Revamp Aging US Power Grid ( #blurb4 )

Forest fire ( [link removed] )

Photo by Loren McIntyre/Alamy

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Forest Carbon Sink Hits Lowest Point in at Least 2 Decades ( [link removed] )
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In a typical year, forests and plants soak up almost a third of all carbon dioxide that humans emit from burning fossil fuels. But this critical “carbon sink” is rapidly shrinking. In 2023 and 2024, forests absorbed only one-quarter of the carbon they do in an average year and emitted far more greenhouse gases than normal. Massive wildfires around the globe were largely to blame.

This narrowing gap suggests that forests could soon shift from a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, with catastrophic impacts on people and the planet. Indeed, some forests have already tipped over the line. We analyze how this trend is playing out around the globe and what can be done to halt it.

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Shaded street ( [link removed] )

Photo by iamc/Alamy

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Simple Solutions Can Help Cool World’s Warming Cities ( [link removed] )
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For cities grappling with increasingly intense summer heat, some of the most powerful solutions are hiding in plain sight. Those on the leading edge are showing that seemingly simple changes — like painting roofs or planting trees — can have a dramatic impact on temperatures.

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Deep sea mining ( [link removed] )

Photo by Jochen Tack/Alamy Stock Photo

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Future Remains Uncertain for Deep-Sea Mining ( [link removed] )
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The nascent deep-sea mining industry remains in limbo, after the International Seabed Authority (ISA) wrapped its latest meeting on July 21 without finalizing long-awaited regulations. Yet some are already vying for access to ocean minerals, despite vast uncertainty about how seabed mining could affect ocean health.

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Fixing a stoplight ( [link removed] )

Photo by Susan Vineyard/iStock

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Advanced Transmission Technologies Can Revamp Aging US Power Grid ( [link removed] )
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Recent power outages ( [link removed] ) driven by extreme heat are a signal that the United States urgently needs to modernize its faltering electricity grid. But how, when a single new power line often takes a decade to build? In the near-term, the answer could lie in advanced transmission technologies.

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Vital Visualizations
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Net Carbon flux in global forests ( [link removed] )

Our latest analysis shows which forests are still strong carbon storehouses — and which have already become a net source of planet-warming emissions.

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LINKEDIN / JULY 21, 2025 ( [link removed] )
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WRI Summer Reading List ( [link removed] )

WRI's 2025 summer reading list is here!😎🌍

Our in-house librarians and staff have curated a powerful list of books that explore climate science, environmental justice, conservation and hope for the future.

Whether you're a researcher, policymaker or lifelong learner, these reads will challenge your thinking and inspire action.

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*Want to know more about how emerging data and technology can aid in sustainability? ( [link removed] )*

WRI’s Data Lab is launching a newsletter highlighting technical insights behind WRI’s digital products, new data and tools, and emerging tech topics like responsible use of AI.

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