So hot right now: initiatives outside of government in response to Trump 2.0 officials pulling back climate science and data programs.

Why it matters: The federal government historically does research and produces climate data that's widely used by academics, local governments, companies and others. But outside groups are stepping forward.

A few projects that caught my eye...

⚠️ The National Academy of Sciences just launched a "fast-track" review of the latest evidence on how greenhouse gases threaten human health and welfare.

• It's a response to EPA's planned revocation of its 2009 "endangerment finding" that's the legal underpinning of Clean Air Act climate rules.

🔢 The new Cornerstone Sustainability Data Initiative, co-led by a former EPA researcher, is an open-source hub for info corporations use to tally supply chain emissions.

• The project — unveiled Friday — comes after EPA decided to stop supporting the in-house research that many companies use, the NYT reports.

🧑‍🔬 This fall, the American Geophysical Union and the American Meteorological Society will issue a formal call for manuscripts on climate change in the U.S.

• It will be the next step in their planned initiative, launched in May, to "sustain the momentum" of the next National Climate Assessment.
• That's the congressionally mandated, multiagency report series that faces an uncertain future under Trump 2.0.

🥊 Many veteran climate scientists are "launching a coordinated response" to DOE's new report that challenges mainstream academic views on climate impacts, CNN reported.

Reality check: Scientists aren't claiming they can replace projects like the NCA with these ad hoc efforts.

• And obviously the National Academy can't regulate emissions in response to EPA's pullback, though I wouldn't be shocked to see its new work surface in court battles.

The other side: Trump officials say Democratic policies variously downplay domestic costs of emissions regulations and overstate climate threats.

What we're watching: Energy Secretary Chris Wright tells CNN that "we'll probably have public events here in D.C. this fall" about DOE's report.

• DOE didn't provide more info, and several of the report's authors tell Axios they're not aware of anything coming up. But co-author Steven Koonin thinks it's a good idea.
• "At the right time, I personally think a public forum highlighting points of scientific agreement and disagreement would have a salutary effect on the public and political dialogue about these issues," he said via email.

🕵️ Steel, mining and energy giants today announced a consortium to explore CO2 capture and storage "hubs" across Asia.

• Why it matters: Companies involved include BHP, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, Chevron, Mitsui & Co and others.

🛢️ Oil and gas majors are "stepping up their hunt" for new reserves, the FT reports in a new feature.

• Why it matters: It's happening as a "slower than expected transition to clean energy sets the stage for stronger fossil fuel demand for decades to come," per the FT.

🔋 Via Bloomberg, lithium prices and stocks shot up today after battery giant CATL halted operations at a large Chinese mine.

• Why it matters: The move is "spurring speculation that Beijing might move to suspend other projects as it tackles overcapacity across the economy," the news service reports.

The next few days will bring a mix of oil market-moving data and geopolitical info.

What's next: The latest supply and demand outlooks from OPEC and DOE's independent stats arm both land tomorrow.

• Then the International Energy Agency's latest report arrives Wednesday.

Friction point: All eyes Friday will be on Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Trump last week announced 25% tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil as the White House seeks leverage for a cease-fire in Ukraine.
• But the plan, which would bring U.S. tariffs on the country to 50%, doesn't take effect until Aug. 27.

What they're saying: "Clearly pricing will be choppy for some time until we get a firmer picture of the likelihood of any Ukraine peace deal, as well as next steps on India within the 21 day reprieve period," Sparta Commodities analyst Neil Crosby said in a note.

What we're watching: Friday's meeting, of course. But also potential secondary sanctions against China, the largest buyer of Russian barrels.

• Vice President JD Vance, in a Fox News interview that aired yesterday, said Trump hasn't made a firm decision.
• "The China issue is a little bit more complicated, because our relationship with China ... affects a lot of other things that have nothing to do with the Russian situation," Vance said.

India's imports of Russian oil have soared since the invasion of Ukraine as Europe began shunning Kremlin-backed barrels, and China's purchases have climbed too.

Electricity costs are rising nationwide — and could get even higher for some amid the explosion in data centers powering AI and more.

Why it matters: Surging power bills could further stress many Americans' budgets as pretty much everything else gets more expensive, too.

By the numbers: The nationwide average retail residential price for 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity rose from 16.41 cents to 17.47 cents between May 2024 and May 2025, per the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a gain of about 6.5%.

• Some states saw much larger increases, such as Maine (+36.3%), Connecticut (+18.4%) and Utah (+15.2%).
• Just five states saw a decrease, including Nevada (-17.7%) and Hawai'i (-7%).

Between the lines: Electricity prices vary regionally and have many influences, from basic supply and demand to fuel rates and infrastructure costs.

• Yet many analysts point to power-hungry data centers as a driver of rising rates, especially in data center hotspots.
• That's partly because of data centers' immediate demand for energy, but also because of investments in new transmission lines and other gear to handle their expected proliferation — costs passed along to customers.

The bottom line: Many of us are paying for the AI boom, whether we use the tech or not.

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The research firm Wood Mackenzie's estimate of newly installed U.S. rooftop solar capacity in 2030 is a whopping 46% below its projection before the new budget law.

Why it matters: Killing the investment tax credits makes home solar systems less affordable, states the analysis, and a separate summary predicts more industry bankruptcies.

What's next: It nonetheless projects the market will start growing again in 2028, and finds"substantial" long-term growth despite huge near-term hurdles.

• 7.5% of "suitable" owner-occupied U.S. homes had solar systems at the end of 2024.