illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on the The Economist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: President Joe Biden announced a "temporary pause" on pending LNG (liquefied natural gas) export projects to assess their economic, security, and environmental impacts
• This decision does not affect already approved projects but freezes proposals beneficial to countries without free-trade agreements with the US
• The move has sparked various reactions, from climate campaigners celebrating to allies worrying about America's reliability and those seeing natural gas as a crucial transition fuel toward greener energy feeling disappointed

🔭 The context: The U.S. became the world's largest LNG exporter, a significant shift from its position before the Ukraine crisis, with exports increasing significantly to Europe as a response to reduced Russian gas supplies
• The pause reflects Biden's navigation of domestic political pressures, especially from the climate-anxious left wing of his Democratic Party, amidst global energy dynamics and environmental concerns

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The decision highlights the ongoing debate around the role of natural gas in the energy transition, balancing between reducing immediate carbon emissions and long-term commitments to renewable energy sources
• It also reflects the challenges in aligning energy policy with climate goals, particularly in addressing methane emissions associated with LNG production and transport

⏭️ What's next: Depending on future administrations, the U.S. could either ramp up fossil fuel production or continue to shift towards more sustainable energy practices
• The scrutiny and potential reduction in carbon intensity of the U.S. LNG could make it more appealing to markets demanding cleaner fuel production.

💬 One quote: "We all just won…I have a beer in my hand," (Bill McKibben, climate activist)

📈 One stat: U.S. LNG exports increased from 16 million tonnes in 2021 to 46 million tonnes the following year, marking a significant response to the European energy crisis triggered by the Ukraine conflict

Click for more news covering the latest on energy