The cost of thinking
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Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can write an essay or plan a menu almost instantly. But until recently, it was also easy to stump them. The models, which rely on language patterns to respond to users’ queries, often failed at math problems and were not good at complex reasoning. Suddenly, however, they’ve gotten a […]
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Cropped 19 November 2025: COP30 edition
We handpick and explain the most important stories at the intersection of climate, land, food and nature over the past fortnight. This is an online version of Carbon Brief’s fortnightly Cropped email newsletter. Subscribe for free here. Key developments COP30 nears its end COP TALK: The COP30 climate summit is entering its final days in Belém […]
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New AI agent learns to use CAD to create 3D objects from sketches
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Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is the go-to method for designing most of today’s physical products. Engineers use CAD to turn 2D sketches into 3D models that they can then test and refine before sending a final version to a production line. But the software is notoriously complicated to learn, with thousands of commands to choose from. […]
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MIT Energy Initiative conference spotlights research priorities amidst a changing energy landscape
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“We’re here to talk about really substantive changes, and we want you to be a participant in that,” said Desirée Plata, the School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Climate and Energy in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Energizing@MIT: the MIT Energy Initiative’s (MITEI) Annual Research Conference that was held on Sept. 9-10. […]
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MIT Energy Initiative conference spotlights research priorities amidst a changing energy landscape
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“We’re here to talk about really substantive changes, and we want you to be a participant in that,” said Desirée Plata, the School of Engineering Distinguished Professor of Climate and Energy in MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Energizing@MIT: the MIT Energy Initiative’s (MITEI) Annual Research Conference that was held on Sept. 9-10. […]
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New report finds return of wildcats to South West England is feasible
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Image credit: Tom Mason. A new report published on 18 November reveals that the South West of England could support a reintroduction of European wildcats after more than a 100-year absence from the area, marking a vital next step in helping to secure the future of the UK’s most critically endangered mammal. The study finds […]
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Europe must embrace long duration energy storage to manage costs and meet climate goals: new report
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Artist’s rendering of Willow Rock project in California (image credit: Hydrostor). Policies to incentivize investment in longer duration energy storage can mitigate billions in grid costs, while helping the continent hit its 2050 climate goals and achieve energy independence, according to a new whitepaper from Hydrostor, a developer and operator working in the LDES field. […]
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New FOI data shows air quality budgets cut drastically as campaign group calls for their restoration
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Families led by Mums for Lungs outside the High Court during Dieselgate trial (photo credit: Ron Fassbender). The budget for local councils to tackle air pollution in their area has been cut by the Government from £225 million a year to just £1.5 million in the last five years, according to new figures obtained by […]
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Advanced river monitoring picks up three major awards
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Xylem UK has been recognised with three major industry awards for its advanced river monitoring technologies that support UK utilities in meeting requirements under the Environment Act 2021 The awards also reflect the growing importance of digital solutions in driving compliance, resilience, and improved water quality across the sector. At the Instrumentation & Electronics (I&E) […]
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Weir removed as part of River Medlock restoration
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(Left to right) Millhouse McLean and Jon Arrandale of Groundwork Greater Manchester. The River Medlock in Greater Manchester is being re-naturalised by Groundwork Greater Manchester as part of the final phase of an 18-month project to restore habitats for local wildlife in the Medlock Valley, as the group explains here. Over the last few weeks, […]
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A fast, fair, full, and funded fossil fuel phaseout
I pause to write this letter in the middle of week one of the 30th UNFCCC Conference of the Parties — the big international climate conference, the space for multilateral decision making to save ourselves from ourselves and rein in the climate crisis. Day two photos showed that a torrential downpour left the blue zone […]
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COP30: Carbon Brief’s second ‘ask us anything’ webinar
As COP30 reaches its midway point in the Brazilian city of Belém, Carbon Brief has hosted its second “ask us anything” webinar to exclusively answer questions submitted by holders of the Insider Pass. The webinar kicked off with an overview of where the negotiations are on Day 8, plus what it was like to be […]
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German group looks to make wind energy rotor blades from renewable materials
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A German research project is trying to develop wind turbine rotor blades made entirely from renewable materials. The group – a partnership between Kiel University of Applied Sciences (HAW Kiel) and German boatbuilder Nuebold Yachtbau – is experimenting with natural fibres such as flax, balsa wood, and Paulownia to replace conventional fibreglass and carbon composites […]
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First publicly-funded small modular reactors will be built in Anglesey
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The new SMRs will be built in Anglesey, near the site of the existing Wylfa Nuclear Power station (pictured, in 2019; image credit: Shutterstock). Wylfa in North Wales has been selected as the site for the UK’s first publicly built small modular nuclear reactors, the government announced on 13 November. The project is “expected to […]
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Massive illegal waste dump in Oxfordshire threatens Thames and adjacent river systems
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The incident site (image credit: Thames21). All river stakeholders, including the Environment Agency and Cherwell District Council, are being urged to work together in a swift manner to prevent a massive illegal waste dump from being washed into the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire, according to environmental charity Thames21. A shocking illegal rubbish dump, stretching over […]
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Your Summary of Negotiations: Nov. 17
Frustration about slow progress at the United Nations Climate Conference boiled over last week, when on Tuesday, Indigenous activists pushed past security at the entrance of the main conference hall, called the Blue Zone, and briefly occupied the space. The action was meant to draw attention to the exclusivity that happens at the COPs. Danielle […]
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Week One at COP30: Reflections from the Amazon
Standing in the Blue Zone in Belém, Brazil, surrounded by thousands of negotiators, activists, scientists, and Indigenous leaders, I’m struck by how profoundly location shapes conversation. This is the first COP held in the Amazon rainforest—not symbolically nearby, but actually within it. Through Climate Generation’s support, I’m able to spend two weeks here building strategic […]
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DeBriefed 14 November 2025: COP30 DeBriefed: Finance and 1.5C loom large at talks; China’s emissions dip; Negotiations explained
Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed. An essential guide to the week’s key developments relating to climate change. This week Finance and 1.5C dominate talks AGENDA ADOPTED: Negotiations at the COP30 UN climate talks began in the Brazilian city of Belém this week, attended in person by Carbon Brief’s Daisy Dunne, Josh Gabbatiss and Anika Patel. The […]