Axios

Private equity firms KKR and Energy Capital Partners announced a $50 billion strategic partnership that will invest in data centers and energy infrastructure for AI expansion.

Why it matters: This is the real AI gold rush, building the agent-agnostic architecture that will support any "above-ground" winners.

The University of Chicago is the latest top-tier institution to unveil new degree programs to attract students who want to study climate change.

Why it matters: Tackling climate and energy challenges requires specialized skills and knowledge, and employers have reported gaps in worker qualifications amid an abundance of jobs.

Flash floods in southeastern Span have killed at least 95 people and many others remain missing, Spanish authorities said Wednesday.

Why it matters: The devastation has made the floods the worst natural disaster to hit Spain in recent memory, AP reported.

Tech and utility giants are backing a new project that envisions data centers becoming a benefit to power grids, not just a huge source of energy demand.

Why it matters: AI-fueled data center growth risks straining grids and making decarbonization harder.

Climate change exposed people to an average of 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures around the world last year and drove heat-related deaths to record highs, according to an annual report published Wednesday.

Why it matters: The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change represents the most up-to-date assessment of the connection between health and climate change and includes sweeping recommendations for the U.S., including a call for ending fossil fuel expansion specifically because of the health consequences.