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The report documents a prolific trade in live primates on US social media, identifying over 1,600 animals for sale across 12 taxa. It highlights the use of euphemisms like 'adoption' to bypass platform filters, the risks of zoonotic disease transmission, and the ecological threat of invasive species in states like Florida. The authors argue that a patchwork of inconsistent state laws and a lack of federal oversight enable this trade, and they recommend the passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act and the Wildlife Confiscations Network Act to improve regulation and animal placement.

The review finds that neonicotinoid seed treatments (NSTs) often fail to provide statistically significant increases in yield or profitability for North American farmers, particularly in colder regions like the Midwest and Northern U.S. where early-season pest pressure is lower. While some positive returns on investment (ROI) were observed in the U.S. South due to milder winters and higher pest pressure, these results were inconsistent year-to-year. The document highlights significant ecological harms, including the reduction of predator insect populations, damage to pollinators, and disruption of soil decomposition. It argues that a shift from prophylactic use to an 'assess-and-decide' approach based on actual pest pressure would save farmers money without reducing yields.

The report details a shift in U.S. federal priorities that has narrowed incentives for clean energy, primarily through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and executive agency actions. It highlights significant tax credit repeals or restrictions, DOE funding cancellations, and EPA reporting rollbacks that have created deep uncertainty across the electric power, manufacturing, and energy and industry sectors. While some investments accelerated to meet new deadlines, others—particularly in hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, and carbon management—have declined or relocated abroad.

RMI explains that emissions from oil and gas are not uniform and vary based on resource type, asset age, and location. Using its Oil Climate Index plus gas (OCI+) tool, RMI highlights that methane emissions intensities in the United States can vary more than 10-fold. The document emphasizes the disproportionate impact of 'marginal wells'—which make up 75% of producing wells in the US but contribute less than 5% of production—and advocates for life-cycle emissions analysis to guide strategic interventions.

The FY26 NDAA includes at least 24 provisions affecting US biodefense, featuring a mix of strategic advancements and institutional losses. Key positive developments include prohibitions on contracting with adversary-owned biotechnology providers to protect multiomic data, the establishment of a DoD Biotechnology Management Office, and the creation of a wastewater surveillance pilot program. Conversely, the act codifies the dissolution of the National Counterproliferation and Biosecurity Center (NCBC) and maintains restrictions on the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) ability to run an enduring bioassurance program. The document also highlights efforts to enhance intelligence sharing on biotechnological threats and the authorization of $137,686,000 for the Biological Threat Reduction Program.

The EPA has proposed a significant rollback of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP), which would remove reporting requirements for 46 of 47 source categories and suspend subpart W reporting until 2034. This proposal threatens the viability of over 270 carbon capture projects and $77.5 billion in capital investment because the 45Q tax credit relies on GHGRP for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV). Specifically, the loss of subparts PP, RR, and VV would prevent carbon capture and storage (CCS) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects from claiming 45Q credits. For hydrogen projects, the delay of subpart W would reduce the reliability of upstream methane leak rate measurements used in the 45VH2-GREET tool for 45V tax credits, potentially forcing taxpayers to rely on an inaccurate 0.9% national average and increasing legal risks for high performers. Internationally, the rollback could disadvantage U.S. exporters in markets requiring verified data, such as those under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Domestically, at least ten states, including California and Colorado, have embedded GHGRP into their legal frameworks; removing it would force these states to create costly patchwork substitutes to maintain emissions inventories.

The report argues that federal agencies are bypassing legal responsibilities for reasoned decisionmaking to advance a deregulatory agenda. It details ten specific analytical requirements for proper regulatory repeals, including the necessity of considering both costs and benefits, accounting for indirect and non-monetized effects, and avoiding the use of outdated data or discredited models.

The document examines the health and economic impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," and advocates for a categorical regulatory approach. It highlights that current U.S. efforts, such as EPA drinking water limits, are insufficient because manufacturers can replace banned individual PFAS with other similar chemicals. The brief notes that annual health damages in the U.S. are estimated between $920.91 million and $62.6 billion across different studies, though these are likely underestimates. While cleanup technologies for water exist, those for soil and air remain undeveloped, making restrictions and bans the most cost-effective way to address ongoing contamination.

The document argues that reducing methane leakage in oil and gas operations is a primary opportunity for emissions reduction this decade, particularly in the US where methane intensity variance is high. While existing solutions could eliminate 30% of emissions with a 25% return on investment, demand for low-leakage gas in the US remains below one-third of total consumption. The guide identifies gas buyers—including utilities, chemical producers, and data centers—as essential drivers for demand through direct procurement, environmental attribute certificate (EAC) transactions, and advocacy for transparent Scope 3 reporting.

The document argues that talking about climate change is a critical individual action to normalize the topic and overcome the common misperception that others do not care about the issue. It provides a set of communication guidelines based on science and expert advice, emphasizing the use of shared values, personal stories, and empathetic listening over technical jargon or argumentative approaches. The guide highlights a gap in U.S. public perception, noting that while 63% of Americans are concerned about climate change, they believe only 43% share that concern, which often leads to silence and inaction.

The report finds that while a majority of registered U.S. voters support clean energy transitions and the Paris Climate Agreement, global warming remains a low priority for most when deciding on congressional candidates. There is strong bipartisan support for protecting workers from extreme heat and opposing the elimination of federal climate research and FEMA, though significant political polarization persists regarding fossil fuel use and the priority level of climate action.

In 2025, solar and wind power expanded fast enough to outpace global electricity demand growth for the first time over a sustained period. Solar growth accelerated in Africa and Central Europe, while BRICS nations now generate over half of global solar power. The rise of 'electrotech'—led by China—and falling battery costs are enabling fossil-free baseload power and supporting the energy demands of AI and data centres.

The RV industry is identified as the largest consumer of tropical wood in the US, utilizing meranti or lauan plywood sourced from Borneo, Indonesia, which has contributed to a 50% decline in Bornean orangutan populations over 60 years. The text highlights that major manufacturers such as Winnebago, Thor, and Forest River, along with supplier Patrick Industries, lack the wildlife and forest protection standards common in other industries. It advocates for a transition to composite materials or Forest Stewardship Council certified wood to protect rainforests and Indigenous community rights.

The Institute for Policy Integrity challenges the Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) proposal to remove the "blanket rule," which applies endangered species prohibitions to threatened species by default. The Institute asserts that the FWS's rationale is flawed because the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals previously found the rule consistent with the statute and because recent Supreme Court decisions do not mandate the withdrawal of regulations upheld by prior judicial decisions.

A group of NGOs, including the Environmental Defense Fund and The Nature Conservancy, has endorsed the Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact. The organizations highlight the pact's role in establishing best practices for next-generation geothermal energy, specifically praising its focus on community engagement, environmental protections, and data transparency regarding water use and hydraulic fracturing fluids.

The document challenges the narrative that wind and solar power drive up electricity costs, asserting that real-world data from multiple global markets often shows an inverse relationship. It highlights that in the US and EU, regions with higher-than-average renewable shares frequently have lower-than-average household power prices. While acknowledging that factors like transmission costs, wildfire mitigation, and market liquidity can influence prices, the briefing concludes that renewables generally lower wholesale costs by displacing expensive fossil fuels.

The United States has the potential for significant next-generation geothermal deployment, which could meet 15% of U.S. energy demand growth by 2050. However, the industry faces financing barriers due to slow and uncertain federal leasing and permitting processes, particularly on federal lands. The Clean Air Task Force advocates for increasing the technical capacity of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), implementing evidence-based categorical exclusions for low-impact exploration, and establishing clear permitting timelines to accelerate deployment while maintaining safety and environmental protections.

The report argues that maintaining secure maritime food trade is a US national security imperative, as disruptions to key chokepoints—specifically the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, and Strait of Malacca—can trigger cascading global risks. Using a strategic foresight approach, the authors analyze four scenarios based on the uncertainty of international cooperation and port infrastructure resilience. They find that climate stressors, such as a projected global warming increase of over 2°C by 2040, threaten agricultural productivity and port operability. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by hostile actors, such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, to weaponize food and destabilize regions. The report recommends that the US incorporate maritime food trade resilience into its National Security Strategy, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, and revitalize flexible development assistance to prevent the erosion of soft power and protect military supply chains.

In 2025, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for over a quarter of global new car sales, driven by a significant shift in emerging markets. While legacy auto markets in the US and Canada have seen a rollback of incentives, countries in Southeast Asia and Latin America are 'leapfrogging' advanced economies. Viet Nam and Singapore have reached EV sales shares exceeding 40%, surpassing the UK and EU. China continues to dominate as the largest market, with its exports increasingly targeting non-OECD markets such as Brazil, Mexico, the UAE, and Indonesia. The report highlights that EVs significantly reduce fossil fuel demand, with battery electric vehicles in Brazil delivering an estimated 90% reduction compared to internal combustion engine vehicles.

Catawba College, a private liberal arts institution in Salisbury, NC, has become one of only 13 colleges in the US to be certified carbon neutral. The college is currently executing a District Energy and Modernization (DEM) project that integrates a closed-loop geoexchange system to provide heating and cooling for 26 campus buildings, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 51 metric tons annually. This effort is complemented by a history of solar investments—including an 837 kW installation in 2015 and a 55 kW addition in 2024—and the transformation of a former coal-fired power plant (the Smokestack) into a net-zero student hub. New construction, such as a 130-bed residence hall designed to Passive House US standards, is expected to reduce energy use by 55% compared to typical regional construction. A net present value analysis suggests the DEM project will save the college approximately $10 million between 2025 and 2054 compared to business-as-usual practices.