It’s not just a modern problem. Airborne toxins are so pernicious that they may have shaped our DNA over millions of years. Carl Zimmer explains in an article in the New York Times. Air Pollution, Evolution, and the Fate of Billions of Humans The threat of air pollution grabs our attention when we see it … Continue reading
While we have all watched in horror the fires and devastation in Australia, it is instructive to better understand the causes of the bushfire season. Despite the political smokescreen, scientists are in no doubt that global heating has contributed to Australia’s fire emergency. Graham Readfearn provides a good review of the causes in an article … Continue reading
Brake dust produces more of the most harmful kind of air pollution than vehicle exhausts, a new study finds. Tom Bawden explains in an article on the inews website. Brake dust is a major source of air pollution, new study finds Brake dust produces more of the most harmful kind of air pollution than … Continue reading
Mark Silberg writes on the Rocky Mountain Institute website that the US has to change its attitude towards using fossil fuels in buildings if there is any hope to meeting long-term climate goals. While this is about the US, no doubt this is equally true globally. What are your views? Fossil Gas Has No … Continue reading
Brenna Owen writes on the National Newswatch website that medical students in Canada are calling for their education to now address the growing health effects of climate change. Is this also a rising concern in other countries? Canadian medical students call for better education on health and climate change Canadian medical schools have not … Continue reading
This was a critical week for ensuring the European Union takes a more ambitious approach to the low-carbon energy transition. The European Commission unveiled a €1 trillion investment plan to fight climate change on Tuesday. The Commission proposals would dedicate around a quarter of the EU budget to the task. The proposal has already had … Continue reading
While the European Environment Agency recently published a briefing on construction and demolition waste, Oliver Wainwright writes on a similar theme in The Guardian of the need to never demolish another building. What are your views? The case for … never demolishing another building The wrecking ball has always been the great symbol of … Continue reading
Construction and demolition waste makes up just over one third of total waste generation in the EU. Despite relatively high recovery rates of used materials, Europe’s construction sector will need to be even more ambitious in its waste management practices if it is to fully embrace Europe’s circular economy. According to a European Environment Agency … Continue reading
Ariadne Villegas, an NRDC fellow, writes about the important multiple benefits of improved energy efficiency. This blog was published on the Natural Resources Defense Council website. Energy Efficiency in NRDC’s Commitment to Environmental Justice The people most likely to live, work, learn, and play in some of America’s most polluted and climate vulnerable environments are … Continue reading
Mithra Moezzi applauds this short, powerful book for revealing how many current energy discourses are framed and their limitations. The authors provide constructive, inspiring approaches that will help us to better understand and reframe energy practices, research and policies. The review was on the Buildings and cities website. Energy Fables: Challenging Ideas in the Energy Sector … Continue reading
