A holiday message from Callaway Climate Insights
Plus, the top ESG emerging markets funds of 2020, the top five U.S. climate stories, and an erupting volcano in Hawaii
Happy holidays. The day before we launched Callaway Climate Insights back in March, California instituted its first shelter-in-place order. For a moment, I considered delaying until the pandemic threat had passed. Nine months later, I’m glad I ignored that urge and we launched anyway.
It’s been a thrilling ride developing this newsletter for you through these chaotic times. We’ve featured great journalism from Europe, Asia, Australasia, South America, and of course, here in the U.S. We’ve looked at the stunning performance of ESG funds this year, the rocky ride of electric vehicle stocks, and the potential for dozens of new climate solutions being developed by gifted innovators.
After 40 years in journalism in global media businesses, startups, newspapers, television and digital, I’m as thrilled as I’ve ever been to write each day for you on what will certainly be the story of the next 20 years. Writing is why I got into journalism in the first place.
As I wrote last week, 2021 is going to be an epic year for so many reasons. We will be vaccinated against Covid. The Biden Administration will bring fighting climate change to the forefront of American priorities, working with European and Asian leaders. As a sign of changing times, Congress added $35 billion in renewable spending this week to its Covid stimulus bill. And Wall Street will continue to join the fight, bringing unique financing ideas and opportunities.
Callaway Climate Insights will be there every step of the way. We are getting our first intern in the new year, more editing help and some new contributors. We will develop content daily. We will be building a unique data set for climate solution investors. We will be investing in more great journalism — and journalists — from around the world to bring you fresh stories and insights as the need for climate solutions grows.
To fund this, we will introduce a subscription plan in January, that will allow you to contribute on a monthly or annual basis to our journalism. We will still have free postings, but as we grow the value of the offering, more of it will be available first to subscribers. We hope you will be part of this growth and look forward to it.
As I sit here in my study in Marin County, looking at the same view of the hills I had when we launched back in March, my mind drifts to the great wildfires nearby this summer, the rising heat and that crazy orange day when the sun never came up. Above all else, the ever-present threat of Covid. While I never left my desk, my view of the world changed this year right before my eyes. It’s been a rough ride, but looking back on it, I’m astonished how far we’ve come.
Like with everything else in 2020, the holidays won’t be the same. But we will do our best to celebrate, and look forward with hope to what comes next. A warm and safe holiday season to you all. Thanks for reading. See you Jan. 5.
— Dave
. . . . Note to subscribers: If you didn’t get a chance to take our two-minute survey last week, please jump in and fill it out today. As Callaway Climate Insights prepares to go daily and turn this into a real business in 2021, we’d like to hear your thoughts on what you like best. Please fill out this short survey. We appreciate it. . . .
Don’t forget to contact me directly if you have suggestions or ideas at dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.
News briefs: 2020's top climate stories, climate funding in stimulus bill
Editor’s picks:
Top 5 climate stories of 2020
Climate action in latest stimulus bill
The Rockefeller Foundation turns away from fossil fuels
Correction: Last Thursday’s edition contained an inaccurate number for the amount of gas produced per day in the U.S. in billion cubic feet. It is 100.
ESG and emerging markets strategies outperformed in 2020
Save the date: Callaway Climate Insights and Frans Timmermans
. . . . In an exclusive for Callaway Climate Insights subscribers, European Union Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans will participate in a webinar next month to discuss Europe’s energy transition goals for 2030 and how it is working with the incoming Biden Administration on the climate emergency. Timmermans is one of the most influential climate leaders on the globe — a straight talker who will share his insights on transatlantic deals, how corporations can respond to the climate crisis, and public-private partnerships. The webinar on Jan. 21 will also feature a Q&A session for subscribers to ask their own questions. Read more. . . .