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Inside the controversial tree farms powering Apple’s carbon neutral goal
“We were losing the light, and still about 20 kilometers from the main road, when the vehicle jolted to a stop at the edge of an unusual forest.”
The landscape appeared to defy conventional botanical norms, featuring trees that stood as a dense wall of trunks, reaching around 100 feet high before erupting into a canopy of foliage. Unlike traditional forests, there was no complexity in the growth layers; the trees stretched in long rows, resembling perhaps a deserted building project that never came to fruition.
This intriguing visual sets the stage for our latest major story, which delves into how Apple and other tech giants are establishing large-scale eucalyptus plantations in Brazil to mitigate their carbon footprint, engaging in significant carbon credit transactions in the process.
The central issue to explore is whether eucalyptus cultivation in Latin America can serve as a viable climate strategy. Read the full story.
—Gregory Barber
This article is part of the Big Story series: MIT Technology Review’s most significant investigative reporting that examines upcoming technologies and their implications for society. Explore the rest of the series here.
Shifting landscapes for US climate tech
Recently, the atmosphere surrounding climate technology in the US has shifted from optimism to uncertainty. Just a few years ago, the sector saw an unbroken stream of positive developments—government backing, substantial private investments, and ongoing innovation. However, we are now witnessing a change in this narrative.
This year alone, projects worth approximately $8 billion in US climate tech have either been terminated or significantly scaled back. While some initiatives are still progressing, these cancellations are a concerning indicator. The question that arises is how serious this trend is. Read the full story.
—Casey Crownhart
This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly climate newsletter. To receive it directly, sign up here.
The must-reads
I’ve curated some of the most engaging and significant stories about technology for you today.
1 Elon Musk had a heated exchange with the US Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent reacted strongly to discussions of DOGE and IRS issues. (Axios)
+ Following this, Musk mentioned he would prioritize less government involvement. (WP $)
+ What has the agency accomplished during its initial 100 days? A lot of disorder. (Reuters)
2 Trump’s tariffs are hindering medical device production
Impacting items ranging from MRI scanners to glucose monitors. (FT $)
+ These tariffs also negatively affect manufacturers of protective medical equipment. (NYT $)
3 Nvidia has introduced a new platform for developing AI agents
In contrast to its competitors, it utilizes open-source models. (WSJ $)
+ Nvidia envisions a specific function for these agents. (The Register)
+ Beware, as relinquishing total control to AI agents may lead to significant pitfalls. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Even Mark Zuckerberg acknowledges that social media has changed
The ongoing question is, what follows? (New Yorker $)
+ Meta’s Oversight Board has determined that videos criticizing trans women do not constitute hate speech. (WP $)
+ Exploring potential solutions for improving the internet. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Exploring how AI can assist programmers in preserving outdated computer code
Governments worldwide are deploying AI tools to upgrade their infrastructure. (Bloomberg $)
+ A race is on to protect our digital existence from a future void of information. (MIT Technology Review)
6 LinkedIn is launching its verification program
Adobe has signed on as one of its inaugural participants. (The Verge)
7 Google’s AI Overviews continues to produce errors
This time, it’s confidently asserting that fictional sayings are legitimate. (Wired $)
+ An analysis of why these inaccuracies are prevalent in Google’s AI Overviews. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Secondary app markets are thriving in the US
Intelligent consumers are sidestepping tariffs by turning to second-hand shopping. (WP $)
+ It appears that the era of excessively low-priced shopping is nearing an end. (Rest of World)
9 An exploration of color creation
Olo resembles teal but is technically nonexistent. (The Atlantic $)
10 A Starbucks location has been entirely constructed through 3D printing
The flavor of the coffee remains unaffected, however. (Fast Company $)
+ Discover the designers who are crafting homes using salt and clay. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“It transformed from a fairytale to a horror story.”
—Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, explains to the Financial Times the repercussions of Elon Musk’s ties with Donald Trump on his business ventures.
One more thing
How a remote Pacific island became a hub for cybercrimeTokelau, a series of three isolated atolls in the Pacific Ocean, was so secluded that it was the last place on the planet to establish telephone connections, achieving this milestone only in 1997. In 2000, an unexpected proposition arrived by fax from Joost Zuurbier, an early internet entrepreneur from Amsterdam, who sought to manage Tokelau’s country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for financial compensation.
In the following years, this diminutive territory transformed into an unexpected internet powerhouse, though not in the manner it had anticipated. Until recently, its .tk domain boasted more users than any other country’s, reaching a staggering 25 million, predominantly comprised of spammers and cybercriminals.
Now, Tokelau is striving to rehabilitate .tk, as its international reputation and even its autonomy may be at stake. Read the full story.
—Jacob Judah
We can still appreciate simple joys
A space for comfort and enjoyment to enhance your day. (Have suggestions? Let me know or reach out to me.)
+ An almond and potato cake? Sounds delightful.
+ When receiving a tattoo, where does the ink actually go?
+ The most recent iteration of Black Mirror was predominantly shot in the UK.
+ Lenny Kravitz’s stylish home in Paris is truly impressive.
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