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Scientists have identified a previously unknown group of polar bears in southeast Greenland living in an environment with relatively little sea ice, potentially pointing toward a way to preserve some of the iconic species as Arctic sea ice melts. 

Why it matters: The research suggests polar bears can live in a wider variety of conditions than scientists previously thought — and, some scientists say, raises the possibility that some groups of polar bears in select locations could be more resistant to global warming's sweeping changes. 

However, many questions remain to be answered about the newly identified population and its ability to withstand rapid Arctic climate change. 

Driving the news: The newly discovered group of polar bears lives among the isolated fjords and glaciers of southeast Greenland.

Researchers tracked the group — which they say likely contains a few hundred bears — using satellite data and ground-based tracking devices. They published their findings today in the journal Science.

Polar bears typically use sea ice that freezes along the coastlines as their hunting ground to catch seals. But that ice is absent for more than 250 days each year in southeast Greenland.

During stretches when they don't have access to sea ice, polar bears typically move to land or head to other areas where they can find sea ice. 

But this newly discovered group was able to stay put and keep hunting, relying instead on freshwater ice from glaciers.

The intrigue: The study's authors say the population offers a window into how some animals might fare as climate change continues to transform the Arctic, where temperatures are increasing about three times as fast as the rest of the world.

"[S]ome polar bears can become established and adapt to this distinctive environment, which, in some areas, may provide a buffer to sea-ice loss," the authors write.

The newly discovered population could provide a focus for polar bear conservation efforts, similar to how ecologists are seeking out hardier coral species that can better withstand marine heat waves.  

But, but, but... The ice these bears rely on is also under threat. It may offer these bears a hunting ground now, because sea ice is disappearing first, but Greenland's glaciers are melting.

"These bears are subject to the same climate warming as all other polar bears,"  lead author Kristin Laidre of the University of Washington told Axios in an interview. 

Whether polar bears use sea ice or ice from glaciers, "the general contours of the story are the same — climate change melt and ice retreat," said John Whiteman, chief research scientist at Polar Bears International. Whiteman was not involved in the new study.

The pace of ice sheet deterioration will determine whether the population of bears "might do better for a little while" or "end up in jeopardy," Whiteman told Axios. 

"These bears can really shed light on our understanding about the species," Laidre said, "And maybe how other similar areas in Greenland and Svalbard might be really critical to the persistence of polar bears as a species when we lose Arctic sea ice."

Zoom in: The group of polar bears is genetically distinct from others in the Arctic, and the researchers propose it be considered a new 20th subpopulation. 

They estimate the polar bears have been genetically isolated for at least 200 years. But because the bears live for 15 to 20 years on average, there have not been enough generations in the subpopulation to determine whether they have genetic adaptations. 

"From a broad perspective, the lifestyle of these polar bears is similar to others: They're eating marine mammal prey and hanging out on ice in the ocean," Whiteman says. The difference lies in the type of ice these bears rely on versus other Arctic populations.

The big picture: As climate change progresses, scientists are trying to get a handle on which species can move to new areas, which can adapt to new conditions and which are at risk of dying out. 

Recent studies have documented physical changes — for example, larger legs and beaks — or shifts in behavior, including the timing of migration and reproduction, in animals as they face the effects of climate change.

What to watch: It's unclear whether the bears' ability to use the ice sheet is unique to this subpopulation, or whether scientists might find other polar bears relying on ice sheets now that they know to look for that behavior.

The researchers say the group warrants recognition from the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a subpopulation, a move that could impact conservation efforts for the bears and their habitat.

Polar bear discovery in Greenland raises cautious hopes for conservation

The new discovery may point the way to preserving some polar bears as the Arctic warms.

 A polar bear stands on a snow-covered iceberg that is surrounded by fast ice, or sea ice connected to the shore, in Southeast Greenland in March 2016. Photo: Kristin Laidre/University of Washington

A polar bear stands on a snow-covered iceberg surrounded by fast ice, or sea ice connected to the shore, in southeast Greenland in March 2016. Photo: Kristin Laidre/University of Washington

Greenland

Alternative energy

Climate change

A look at the scientific breakthroughs changing the world, explorations in space and in worlds beyond our own and the threats posed to us by our own planet, both out of our control and of our own making.

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

The Department of Commerce's probe into whether Chinese companies are skirting tariffs on solar panel shipments to the U.S. is delaying projects nationwide, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Why it matters: The industry trade group claims that the investigation is setting back efforts to cut carbon emissions and harming U.S. green jobs, while potential tariffs resulting from it could further stunt solar growth.

The Biden administration's circumvention case against solar imports from Southeast Asia, which started in mid-March, came at the request of U.S. manufacturer Auxin Solar.

It asked the Commerce Department to investigate whether Chinese companies that receive subsidies from the Chinese government were getting around U.S. tariffs and flooding the U.S. market with solar parts by building subsidiary facilities in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar parts have been in place since 2012 to bolster domestic production of the parts. The Trump administration expanded the tariffs in 2018.

By the numbers: SEIA said this week that the probe has already delayed projects across the U.S.

A total of 318 U.S. projects accounting for 51 gigawatts of solar capacity and six gigawatt hours of attached battery storage have either been canceled or delayed, according to a survey the group conducted this month that 700 companies responded to.

It alleges that that loss of solar development caused the U.S. to emit an additional 364 million metric tons of carbon by 2035.

What they're saying: “If tariffs are imposed, in the blink of an eye we’re going to lose 100,000 American solar workers and any hope of reaching the President’s clean energy goals,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA president and CEO, in a statement.

"This would be a monumental loss for our nation, which has the potential to lead our clean energy future, with the right policies. Instead, the Commerce Department is on track to wipe out nearly half of all solar jobs and force a surrender on the President’s climate goals," she added.

The big picture: The Biden administration extended former President Trump's tariffs on solar cells and panels. However, it loosened some restrictions on imports from Asia to help combat climate change, Axios' Hans Nichols reports.

In a bipartisan rebuke of the tariffs, Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced now-stalled legislation in February to repeal them, while creating a program to enhance domestic production and manufacturing of solar panels and other components.

Go deeper: Solar developers see big hurdles in Commerce probe

Solar projects stalled as Biden administration probes Chinese imports

The Commerce Department is investigating whether Chinese companies are skirting U.S. tariffs.

A solar farm under construction in Portage, Pennsylvania, on April 25.

A solar farm under construction in Portage, Pa., on April 25. Photo: Justin Merriman/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Solar power

China

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

The battery storage company Yotta Energy raised an additional $3.5 million in Series A finance and announced a nearly $2 million Defense Department award for a microgrid project at a Nevada Air Force Base.

Why it matters: Expanded use of battery storage helps accommodate growing amounts of zero-carbon but intermittent solar and wind energy, and boosts the resilience of electricity systems.

And the military is a massive power consumer that's looking to expand use of clean energy.

Driving the news: Austin, Texas-based Yotta, which has battery tech that can integrate directly with almost any solar panel designs, said the latest round brings its total Series A finance to $16.5 million.

The company is focused on the commercial and industrial solar market, and says its system is "designed to seamlessly fit under any industry standard solar PV module."

What they're saying: "Historically, hardware in the clean tech space has been very difficult to raise funding for, but that's certainly kind of changed," CEO and co-founder Omeed Badkoobeh told Axios in an interview.

"I think people have realized that you're going to need to invest in some hardware to solve some of the climate issues that we are facing," 

Zoom in: APsystems, which co-produces custom-built power inverters with Yotta, is also an investor in the new Series A round. 

Olivier Jacques, APsystems president of global business units, said in a statement that they see "tremendous growth potential in rooftop solar-plus-storage."

"Yotta has produced an innovative, module-level commercial energy storage solution that no one else is doing right now,” said Jacques said.

He praised Yotta's tech for attributes including its direct mounting behind panels, noting that means "no zoning" and "no concrete," i.e. it does not require a separate site.

The project with the Air Force is at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas. Yotta said they've been awarded $1.97 million under the Defense Department's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.

It's a demonstration and validation program for innovative technologies.

Catch up fast: Yotta, founded in 2016, last fall announced a $13 million Series A round led by Wind Ventures and also included  Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, Riverstone Ventures.

The company's total funding to date, including today's announcements, is over $25.5 million, Yotta said.

What's next: Yotta said the latest funding will help further scale its tech, continue tech development and hire more people.

"Our mainstream market is to go after any [commercial and industrial] customers. So think of grocery stores, car dealerships, office parks, that want dispatchable solar plus storage, that want to add more capacity to do EV charging, and kind of see the writing on the wall that energy prices are going to rise sharply and they want to lock in their prices," Badkoobeh said.

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Battery storage firm wins $2M for Nevada Air Force Base project

Yotta Energy works with commercial and industrial users to integrate battery storage with solar panels

Workers installing a Yotta Energy battery system behind solar panels.

Batteries

White House deputy climate adviser Ali Zaidi said the administration is working to advance new climate technologies at the same time it is working to reduce emissions, from direct air capture to sustainable aviation fuels. 

Why it matters: Speaking at Axios’ inaugural What’s Next Summit on Tuesday, Zaidi said that President Biden is trying to meet people where they are, which includes the historic tapping of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to try to lower gas prices. 

 Zaidi said Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has prompted the White House to act to simultaneously boost oil and gas supplies in order to cut the price at the pump, while also working to crack the code of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from hard to decarbonize sectors, like cement manufacturing.

Zaidi said President Biden has not wavered from his climate ambitions. "He's meeting folks where they are, which is feeling the pain of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's price hike at the gasoline pump, stabilizing that situation, through extraordinary action and leadership," Zaidi said. "And then making sure we're moving as boldly and vigorously in the direction of a clean energy future as we can."

The intrigue: In the wake of Monday's latest report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which found that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak by 2025 and be cut almost in half by 2030 in order to meet the Paris Agreement's targets. 

"So for the longest time, we said ah, you know, steel, cement, aluminum, heavy industry, very hard to decarbonize. Let's talk about that tomorrow. And that moment is now, we can no longer wait," he said. 

Zaidi said there's virtually nothing that can be done to convince those who reject climate science findings that they're on the wrong side of this issue.

"This is not a few scientists, it's not many scientists, it's not most scientists, this is the judgment of the global scientific community," he said. 

"You don't need a degree in rocket science to go and see our communities being burned to the ground," he said. 

"You don't need a degree in rocket science to see the sea levels rise and threaten homes and livelihoods. You don't need a degree in rocket science to understand that what we are perceiving hundreds of billions of dollars of damage year over year is on a hockey stick, and it's getting worse if we don't take action in a bold way."

What's next: Zaidi, who works with White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy, faces the reality that the administration's boldest climate plans collapsed in the Senate due to opposition from West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin. It remains to be seen whether a new, less ambitious package of proposals can be passed before the midterm elections. 

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Zaidi talked about people who reject climate science findings, but did not single out Republicans.

White House climate adviser: "We can no longer wait" to cut emissions

Zaidi said President Biden has not wavered from his climate ambitions.

Ali Zaidi (left) speaks with Axios' Niala Boodhoo (right).

Ali Zaidi (left) speaks with Axios' Niala Boodhoo at the Axios What's Next Summit on April 5. Photo: Joy Asico

Whats Next

Axios What's Next

FedEx Express will soon begin testing a new short-haul air cargo system using autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft developed by Elroy Air, a California startup named for the boy in the "Jetsons." 

Why it matters: Self-flying cargo planes could help FedEx Express move goods among warehouses more safely and efficiently amid the exponential growth of e-commerce. 

Driving the news: The companies said they would begin flight testing in 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas, using Elroy's Chaparral autonomous aircraft.

Like similar aircraft, Elroy's VTOL ascends and descends like a helicopter but flies like a plane. 

It can pick up a cargo pod weighing 300 to 500 pounds without human interaction, and can deliver it within a range of 300 miles.

Unlike electric VTOLs from other manufacturers, Elroy's plane is a hybrid, so it doesn't require additional infrastructure such as airports or charging stations. 

What they're saying: "When you're not limited by challenging infrastructure, traffic or airports, logistics can reach more people, faster than ever before," said Kofi Asante, Elroy Air's vice president of business development and strategy. 

"We look forward to working together to create a new future for how we get goods to people around the world."

The big picture: The self-flying air cargo system is the latest step by FedEx to find innovative technologies to handle rising delivery volumes.

By potentially taking trucks off the road, the hybrid aircraft also helps FedEx toward its goal of carbon-neutral operations by 2040. 

FedEx taps Jetsons-inspired Elroy Air for self-flying cargo runs

Self-flying cargo planes could help FedEx meet demand for exploding e-commerce.

Image of a self-flying Elroy Air cargo plane approaching a Fed Ex warehouse

Elroy Air's innovative cargo aircraft could help FedEx Express meet logistics demands. Photo courtesy of Elroy Air

Aircraft

Transportation

Solar project companies are issuing strong warnings about the potential harms from a new Commerce Department probe into whether China is doing an end-run around tariffs on panel shipments to the U.S.

Why it matters: The probe could lead to tariffs of 50%-250%, per the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), an industry trade group.

That would "have a devastating impact on the U.S. solar market at a time when solar prices are climbing, and project delays and cancellations are adding up," SEIA President Abigail Ross Hopper said in a statement.

Several solar advocates made similar points about potential new costs and stunted solar growth.

Driving the news: Commerce said Monday it will investigate imports made via products assembled in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The move is a response to a request by the U.S. manufacturer Auxin Solar.

The other side: Auxin Solar CEO Mamun Rashid, in a statement, said Chinese solar manufacturers have for years "refused to fairly price their products" and are undercutting U.S. companies and workers.

More broadly, the Wall Street Journal notes the battle "pits U.S. solar manufacturers against installers who use imported cells and modules."

Of note: A Commerce spokesperson tells Reuters the inquiry is a first step and "there has been no determination one way or the other on the merits."

Solar developers see big hurdles in Commerce probe

The probe could lead to tariffs of up to 250%.

Carbon Collective, a San Francisco-based investment advisor, is launching a 401(k) service to give workers at small companies a way to fund climate solutions via their retirement savings. 

Why it matters: The Carbon Collective aims to expand the relatively limited environmental, social and governance (ESG) options available to many employees at small companies of fewer than 300 people. 

Driving the news: There has been a dramatic increase in the demand for ESG investment options in 401K plans and IRAs, with companies like Vanguard and BlackRock providing numerous low-cost options, including ESG index funds. 

However, questions are being raised about the stocks that make their way into ESG funds, and how they align with a fund's purpose. 

A recent Bloomberg investigation, for example, found systemic deficiencies in MSCI's methods. This called into question a top ESG ratings company that ESG fund managers rely on.

Zoom in: Carbon Collective aims to provide some clarity and avoid the greenwashing of the ESG world in part by publishing an annual climate index detailing companies it views as moving climate solutions forward. 

The 2022 version of this list came out in December, and has 169 companies. 

The index of publicly traded companies takes inspiration from climate solutions listed by the nonprofit Project Drawdown, along with those contained in a comprehensive International Energy Agency report. 

The index's top five companies by market capitalization are Tesla, NextEra Energy, Applied Materials, Zoom Communications and ABB, according to a statement.

Details: The 401(k) product, which companies can choose to have administered by Vested or Ubiquity, adds a second layer of services to what Carbon Collective already provides, on top of individual investment products. 

What they're saying: “People want to invest in building a world they actually want to retire into. Our bet was that they’re looking for a company to trust to help them do it,” said Carbon Collective co-founder Zach Stein, in a statement to Axios.

"What we need people to think about is whether their financial decisions are helping the world to transition off of fossil fuels or hindering that transition," said Ravi Mikkelsen co-founder of Atmos Financial, PBC, a climate solutions fintech startup that is not affiliated with Carbon Collective. 

Mikkelsen said Carbon Collective's index is more solidly pro-climate compared to what gets included in the ESG portfolios of major investment companies, while noting he was not commenting on investment performance. 

Carbon Collective aims to solve climate change using your 401(k)

“People want to invest in building a world they actually want to retire into."

Illustration of a golden coin with an emboss of the Earth on it.  

The most important shifts — both substantive and symbolic — in the West's energy stance toward Russia unfolded Tuesday on both sides of the Atlantic.

The big picture: The European Union, long dependent on Russian oil and natural gas, unveiled plans to break that reliance for good — and with astonishing speed.

Meanwhile, across the pond, the U.S. banned imports of Russian oil, gas and coal.

The U.K. also announced a phase-out of Russian oil imports by the end of this year.

Why it matters: The invasion of Ukraine is costing Russia its largest market for hydrocarbons. But enacting the European plan won't be easy.

The EU imported about 45% of its gas supplies from Russia in 2021. Europe also relies on Russia for 25% of its oil imports.

1. The EU is seeking escape velocity. The plan would disconnect the bloc from Russia’s fossil fuels “well before 2030."

Even more aggressively, the EU aims to cut demand for Russian gas by three-quarters by the end of this year.

It calls for bringing in more LNG from the U.S. and other countries, and replacing gas in heating and power generation.

2. Climate and security priorities have merged. EU leaders recognize the vulnerabilities that come with relying on Vladimir Putin, and see a faster energy transition as a key to solving it.

“The quicker we switch to renewables and hydrogen, combined with more energy efficiency, the quicker we will be truly independent and master our energy system,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.

The new plan represents a fusing of a slew of new policies with some sped-up aspects of the bloc's climate plan, known as the European Green Deal.

3. A successful break would create big problems for Putin. While Russia could make up for the lost market share in Asia or Africa, its infrastructure is currently better suited for routing natural gas and oil to Europe, with multiple pipelines extending from east to west like veins.

4. Officials must juggle multiple interests. With the cost of natural gas in Europe soaring to record levels, the plan also commits to exploring ways to shield customers from the full extent of energy price increases, through temporary price limits, for example.

5. The EU envisions a big role for hydrogen. The plan includes swiftly creating the necessary infrastructure for manufacturing, importing and storing renewable hydrogen, which could be used for transportation and shipping.

The bottom line: It took just 13 days after Russia's invasion to yield an accelerated European clean energy transition.

The EU's big energy moves show a new order is quickly emerging

The bloc aims to get off Russian natural gas "well before" 2030.

Illustration of a foot crushing an oil drum.

Energy

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is calling for the expansion of nuclear power in Europe and greater oil production in the U.S. as Russia's invasion of Ukraine spikes prices and lays bare the EU's energy vulnerabilities.

Driving the news: He tweeted Sunday that it's "extremely obvious that Europe should restart dormant nuclear power stations and increase power output of existing ones," calling it "critical" to national and international security.

The remark came two days after Musk, who's company is the market leader in electric vehicles, said via Twitter that "we need to increase oil & gas output immediately" because "extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures."

Quick take: Musk's new energy punditry is likely to run afoul of environmentalists, who support EVs but are pushing back against calls for expanded fossil fuel production to check Russia, a major oil-and-gas exporter.

But Musk said that while expanding oil production would "negatively affect" his company, "sustainable energy solutions simply cannot react instantaneously to make up for Russian oil & gas exports."

The intrigue: Musk's comments puts the EV pioneer into unusual alignment with the oil-and-gas industry, which has called for more leasing in federal lands and waters and greater Biden administration support for oil and liquefied natural gas exports.  

They also put him out of step with policies in Europe, where Germany is on course to shut down its last remaining nuclear plants, though those plans are being reevaluated. 

Yes, but: While U.S. oil production is rising, most output is on private and state lands, and the industry faces constraints in speeding output growth even faster in those areas. In addition, restarting nuclear reactors that have been dormant for long periods of time is also a complicated process. 

Elon Musk backs more nuclear and oil output to check Russia

Musk said it's "critical" to national and international security.

Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, stands at a press event on the grounds of the Tesla Gigafactory in Germany. Photo: Patrick Pleul via Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Electric vehicles

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced plans to transform a  warehousing and manufacturing port into an offshore wind farm hub.

Why it matters: The facility, to be built at the city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, will be "one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation," per a statement from the mayor's office.

The wind farm will help New York City reach its climate goals of 100% clean electricity by 2040.

What they're saying: "This site will be the launch of a whole new industry for New York City that will support 13,000 local jobs over time, generate $1.3 billion in average annual investment citywide, and significantly reduce our carbon footprint," Adams said in a statement.

"This is a transformative moment for New York City and our clean energy future — a future of sustainable power, good-paying jobs, and climate justice," he added.

The big picture: The New York City Economic Development Corporation is partnering with wind-developer Equinor for the project, which will see the port upgraded and the terminal built out as an operations and maintenance base.

"The port will serve as a hub to support the Empire Wind and Beacon Wind offshore wind farms," which will be located in the Atlantic Ocean, near Long Island, the city's statement notes.

By the numbers: Both New York State and NYC have goals to obtain 70% of their electricity from renewables by 2030.

The city expects these initiatives to remove more than 34 million tons of CO2 from the environment — the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from roadways over a 15-year period. 

It has committed $191 million to offshore wind projects, according to the statement.

Go deeper: Offshore wind companies bid record amounts to develop U.S. waters

New York City to transform Brooklyn port into offshore wind hub

It'll be "one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation," Mayor Eric Adams' office said.

Eric Adams, mayor of New York, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. 

Mayor Eric Adams in New York City. Photo: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

New York City

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

After decades of attempts to power cars with energy from the sun, the solar automotive age might finally be upon us.

Coming soon: A $25,000 solar-powered electric SUV

Sono Motors found a way to build solar cells into a car's body panels.

All Alternative energy stories