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WRI DIGEST *↓*
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EVENT SPOTLIGHT
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*Stories to Watch 2026 ( [link removed] )*

Ani Dasgupta ( [link removed] )

Join WRI President & CEO Ani Dasgupta *tomorrow, Jan. 29* , to learn about the biggest climate and development stories in the year ahead. Stories to Watch 2026 will show how well-designed climate action is delivering benefits today — from driving economic growth to addressing the cost-of-living crisis.

*Register* ( [link removed] )

*In this issue:*

* Expert Q&A: Can the US Avoid Winter Blackouts? ( #blurb1 )
* World’s Most Water-Stressed Countries ( #blurb2 )
* Sustainable ‘Bioeconomy’ Takes Root in the Amazon ( #blurb3 )
* Waste Offers New Ways to Store Carbon ( #blurb4 )

Snow storm ( [link removed] )

Photo by ZUMA Press/Alamy

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Expert Q&A: Can the US Avoid Blackouts During Winter Storms? ( [link removed] )
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A massive winter storm blanketed much of the U.S. in snow and sub-freezing temperatures over the weekend, knocking out power for more than a million households.

Losing power during a bitter cold spell can be dangerous, even life-threatening. As these kinds of blackouts become more common ( [link removed] ) thanks to increasingly extreme weather, understanding what causes them and how to prevent future failures will be key to protecting lives and infrastructure.

WRI grid expert Kelly Lefler unpacked what, exactly, causes power systems to buckle during severe winter weather and how we can make them more resilient.

Read more ( [link removed] )

People stand by a river ( [link removed] )

Photo by Kirsten Walla/iStock

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World's Most Water-Stressed Countries ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )
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Overuse, pollution and ecosystem damage have led to an era of “global water bankruptcy” in which much of the world can no longer return to normal water levels, according to a new UN report ( [link removed] ). WRI data shows which countries face the highest water stress today and where risks are escalating fastest.

Read more ( [link removed] )

A woman sitting ( [link removed] )

Photo by All Media Vagalume/WRI Brasil

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An Indigenous Bioeconomy Takes Root in the Amazon ( [link removed] )
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For too long, the Amazon’s economy has been underpinned by extractive industries like farming and mining that strip away resources and leave the forest degraded. But a new economic model, based on time-tested Indigenous practices that support people and nature, is emerging.

Read more ( [link removed] )

A construction zone ( [link removed] )

Photo by Charm Industrial

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4 Companies Using Waste to Fight Climate Change ( [link removed] )
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From almond shells to invasive species, companies are using waste in innovative ways to lock away carbon.

Read more ( [link removed] )

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FEATURED NEWS RELEASE
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*WRI Ross Center Names Five Finalists in Prize for Cities Contest ( [link removed] )*

WRI today announced five finalists for the 2025-2026 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities ( [link removed] ) , a prestigious global award that recognizes pioneering projects reshaping urban life. This year's theme, “Catalyzing Healthy Cities,” highlights initiatives improving access to nature, mobility and everyday services.

“Cities are facing an unprecedented convergence of health, climate and sustainability challenges. The decisions they make now will shape health and resilience for decades to come. As global engines of innovation, this year’s finalists are already demonstrating how communities can unite to transform crisis into opportunity.”

*— Ani Dasgupta
* *—* WRI President & CEO

*Read more* ( [link removed] )

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Vital Visualizations
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Water stress map ( [link removed] )

Increasing pressure on the world's fresh water means that an additional billion people could live with extremely high water stress by 2050 — conditions in which even a short drought can lead to severe consequences.

Read more ( [link removed] )

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LINKEDIN / JANUARY 23, 2026 ( [link removed] )
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How can renewable energy keep the electricity system reliable during winter storms? ( [link removed] )

Learn how clean power can help keep the lights on when winter storms threaten to shut down the grid.

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*How You Can Help*

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