Energy in Demand News, August 6, 2023

Energy in Demand News… August 6, 2023

The first post this week on the growing backlash to the “green” agenda should be a major concern for all of us. Despite the ambition to accelerate the mitigation of GHG emissions through the European Green Deal, there is confusion and scepticism by publics and politicians on the way forward. To meet the 2015 Paris climate obligations, the stark warnings from the IPCC should be enough to warrant action. This week the Washington Post (behind a paywall) published “The world just got its first real taste of what life is like at 1.5 degrees Celsius.” Many of us have experienced that first taste first-hand in recent weeks and all of us have followed the increasing incidence of heat, fire, floods and abnormal weather. Many of us will be frustrated at the lack of urgency amongst too many of our leaders who seem to be ignoring that first taste. Yet this weekend, the Financial Times (behind a paywall) wrote an editorial on public resistance to climate change measures and how to manage the backlash. The editorial recognises that many citizens are simply coping with the cost of living crisis, trying to simply get through to the end of the month. The editorial goes on: “If the pains of pricey and disruptive green initiatives go unaddressed, a rising political backlash could slow the push towards net zero even further” and “Governments are learning they cannot take public support for green issues for granted, especially when policies begin to impose costs and inconvenience.” The FT identifies specific solutions from a clear, long-term road map to better communication and ensuring that the costs of green measures are levied as proportionately and progressively as possible. And, yes, incentives are needed. The editorial ends: “With air and sea temperatures hitting alarming records, governments need to act with haste. But if the near-term costs are not managed carefully, long-term climate goals will slip even further away.” It is not obvious that enough governments will be heed the FT and act with haste.

EiD would like to draw your attention to a new podcast series that we first mentioned two weeks ago.  Empowering small-hold farmers in the Global South requires rethinking both energy systems and equipment. Episode 2 of Distributed Energy for People and the Planet, features Ganesh Neelam (CINI) and Huda Jaffer (SELCO Foundation) discussing the imperative to engage deeply with these communities to ensure technologies truly meet their needs and support their aspirations. And to revamp innovation, policy, finance and philanthropy. The podcast series is co-produced by  The Energy Talk, Global SDG7 Hubs and EnAct.

This year the European Environment Agency invites avid photographers across Europe to capture both the good — sustainable and unsustainable — production and consumption patterns, habits and behaviours in our daily lives. This year’s EEA photo competition ‘ZeroWaste PIX’ calls us all to reflect on the state of modern lifestyles. The aim of ZeroWaste PIX is to raise awareness and inspire change, conveyed through photographs, whether it is an image of factories, landfills or a community garden that bring people together around a shared sense of purpose.  Participants can enter photos in four categories: Circular and smart; Eco-lifestyles; Wasteful production; and Consumption mania. The competition remains open until October 3^rd. More information on how to enter the competition is available here.

It is encouraging that there is growing demand for train travel. Check out five great one-week rail trip routes in Europe. If you’re interested in a cycling trip this year, have a look at the Epic Road Rides website that describes the 12 best cycling destinations in Europe this year.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1861), the American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865, again provides us with an inspirational message this week: “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:

Please send us your comments on any of the posts. EiD hopes you to follow us on Twitter at @EnergyDemand and @rodjanssen. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.