Every day we are reading about another disaster, whether it be wildfires, droughts, floods and more. The Financial Times writes (behind a paywall) that the costs of inaction on global warming are potentially vast and often not sufficiently factored into asset values. While such disasters can be counted first in lives lost, the FT writes: “it can also be measured in the economic value destroyed, and potentially created, as governments shift policies to contain or mitigate the climate crisis. In a world that is rapidly becoming more vulnerable to extreme weather events, outdated assumptions about asset values also need recalibrating.” Their concern is that there could be a “sudden correction in asset values as investors simultaneously realise those values are unsustainable.” The article goes on: “So far, businesses and investors have paid less attention to the physical effects of climate change and more to the costs and risks of decarbonising, as the world tries to limit the rise in average global temperatures.” The important message is at the end of the article: “Focusing on the physical effects of poorly mitigated climate change might seem defeatist. But time is fast running out to decarbonise the economy. Investors have begun to price in the decarbonisation challenge. They need to start counting the considerable costs of inaction, too.” How do we change so much costly “inaction” into “action?”
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 3rd. More information on how to enter the competition is available here.
With so many people on the move this summer, here are some useful news to help you along:
- It is encouraging to see the 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. .
- Trams are a great way to get around cities. The European Best Destinations website suggests the best trams in Europe.
- For those of you driving around France, remember that urban air quality is increasingly important. Note that the Crit’Air vignette must be displayed to enter Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg, Lyon, and other cities to avoid a €180 fine.
- 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. For those who want to cycle in Scotland, try this pedalling along the low road.
- The post listed below on cycling in France refers to Warmshowers, a community of over 186,000 cyclists and 126,000 hosts world-wide that provides the technology for reciprocal hospitality for cyclists and hosts. They are in 161 countries. Have you used them?
- Euronews describes the 10 most bike-friendly cities in the world, with 9 of them in Europe.
Russell Baker (1925-2019), an American journalist, narrator, writer of Pulitzer Prize-winning satirical commentary and self-critical prose, gives us something to smile about this week: “The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognise you as a tourist.”
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 X at @EnergyDemand and @rodjanssen. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 