Alex Brown, Associate Professor of Medieval History, Durham University writes on The Conversation website about the lessons we should learn from the Medieval Warm Period. History shows societies are vulnerable to climate extremes, while today's warming is faster, global and human-driven. Drought, water shortages and crop failures: how does the medieval warm period compare … Continue reading A medieval heatwave, a modern warning
New EEB report on accelerating decarbonisation of Europe’s cement sector
This report from the European Environmental Bureau, Cement It Better: Unlocking Low-Carbon Concrete in Europe, argues that Europe already has many of the technologies needed to dramatically reduce emissions from cement and concrete production, but that outdated regulations and market barriers are preventing their widespread adoption. It highlights the potential of clinker substitution, low-carbon binders, … Continue reading New EEB report on accelerating decarbonisation of Europe’s cement sector
Blog by Grace Waters: Why France’s nuclear plants are shutting down during peak summer demand
France relies on a highly nuclear-dependent grid because it provides the nation with predictability. Most of the country’s electricity comes from its reactor fleet, which represents a bet on carbon-free baseload power that’s paid off for decades. But that same fleet has a weak spot that heat waves keep exposing. Most reactors depend on river … Continue reading Blog by Grace Waters: Why France’s nuclear plants are shutting down during peak summer demand
When loving Antarctica means leaving it
In an article on The Conversation website, Zdenka Sokolickova, Postdoctoral Researcher, Arctic Centre, University of Groningen; Christy Hehir, Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events, University of Surrey; and Elizabeth Cooper, Postdoctoral Researcher, Arctic Centre, University of Groningen explore a moral conflict—what happens when people discover that the work they love is at odds with the … Continue reading When loving Antarctica means leaving it
The nuclear mirage behind the AI boom
On the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website Molly Langabeer and M.V. Ramana challenge the narrative that Big Tech's investment in nuclear power will solve AI's growing electricity demand. Their the announcements are far larger than the actual investments, while renewables—not nuclear—are meeting demand. There is definitely a mismatch between rhetoric and reality. Data centers … Continue reading The nuclear mirage behind the AI boom
Europe’s building renovation divide
In an article on the Euronews website, Alessio Dell'Anna writes about Europe's uneven progress on building renovation. Energy efficiency levels are rising, but not quickly enough, according to Brussels, which has launched an infringement procedure against all EU member states. Green homes: which countries are making their buildings more energy efficient? Last week, the … Continue reading Europe’s building renovation divide
When heatwaves become legal evidence
In an article on The Conversation website, Sandra Cassotta, Associate Professor in International, Environmental and Energy Law, Aalborg University in Denmark, argues that climate attribution science should become legal evidence for enforcing climate obligations. While most related articles on extreme heat focus on impacts or adaptation, this one makes a more ambitious argument that attribution … Continue reading When heatwaves become legal evidence
China’s EV gamble has paid off
In an article on The Conversation website, Timothy Minchin, Professor of History, La Trobe University and Michelle Shu Wun Kuek, Doctoral student in History, La Trobe University write about China's long-term industrial strategy paying off, while Western and Japanese automakers struggle to adapt to the electric vehicle transition. It is as much about industrial policy … Continue reading China’s EV gamble has paid off
Bridging Europe’s electrification gap
Ron Bousso writes on the Reuter’s website that Europe knows where it wants to go, but faces a perilous decade in which high energy costs could permanently damage industrial competitiveness before the benefits of electrification are realised. Europe’s electrification dream won’t spare a painful decade Europe faces a looming "death valley" of high energy … Continue reading Bridging Europe’s electrification gap
Named, Not Funded: who Europe’s electrification plan leaves behind
In a LinkedIn post, Marine Cornelis (Next Energy Consumer) and newest member of the board of eceee, writes about Europe’s recently announced Electrification Action Plan that recognises vulnerable households but does not provide the funding, safeguards or enforceable measures needed to protect them. It is unbelievable that during the hottest summer on record, a plan meant … Continue reading Named, Not Funded: who Europe’s electrification plan leaves behind
