It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers found, a far higher estimate than that of previous analyses.” The article goes on: “Even with steep emissions cuts, however, climate change will bear a heavy economic cost, the paper finds. Even if global heating was restrained to little more than 1.5C (2.7F) by the end of the century, a globally agreed-upon goal that now appears to have slipped from reach, the GDP losses are still around 15%.” One of the authors of the report, Adrien Bilal, says “That is still substantial.” No doubt.
A group of Shell stakeholders are calling for the company to strengthen its efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The Times (behind a paywall) reports that Norway’s €1.5 trillion wealth fund will not back the call to strengthen efforts. Really?
In an article in the Financial Times (behind a paywall) the carbon footprint of the UK’s largest pension schemes were revealed. Amazingly, they ranged from 23.4 tonnes of CO₂ per £1mn to 108 tonnes per £1mn. The average is 61.1 tonnes per £1mn for the leading providers. Do you know the carbon footprint of the pension schemes in your country?
As we prepare for COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, remember there is a global call to the UNFCCC to include cultural heritage, the arts and creative sectors in climate policy. National Geographic provides a very good post to “Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music.” What are your views?
In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful news to help you along:
- Lonely Planet provides 6 of the best European train routes for summer 2024.
- For the best hikes in Europe in 2024, there are many good suggestions on the 57 hours website. For those who want to combine hiking with food and wine, check out the Hedonistic Hiking website.
- 5 stunning spring cycling destinations in Europe are recommended on the Get Your Guide website.
- There is always the option of virtual tourism at the Xplore Nature Channel. There are now 130 videos. Find out more about the channel here. Why not start with a walk in Poland through gorgeous nature to Pałac Radziejowice.
Marie Curie (1867-1934), the Polish and naturalised-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity, gives us much to reflect upon: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- New report by EEA on water-related impacts of climate change on health and well-being that are already felt across Europe
- Comment on new report showing global economy is consuming ever more natural resources, while the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals
- Why the benefits of cycling matter
- Researchers tracking the link between climate change and health say the adverse impacts are far-reaching
- Does promotion of nuclear energy in Australia make sense?
- Canada’s energy transition will be accelerated by dwindling demand
- South Africa’s energy transition: the steps needed to move away from coal
- Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signs law that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines
Please send your comments on any of the posts. Please follow us on X at @EnergyDemand and @rodjanssen. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 