With elections for the European Parliament approaching on June 6-9, predictions are for a surge of right wing parties and a consequent erosion of the climate and energy agenda. According to The Economist election tracker, “the environment, including terms such as “climate change”, is a hot topic on the continent’s fringes: it’s most often searched for in Malta and it also seems popular in countries with long coastlines such as Portugal, Spain and Denmark.” The Economist says the greatest interests are in conflicts, cost of living, environment and retirement. Please check out the European Environmental Bureau’s elections site for a European Pact for the Future for a “green and social deal for a one-planet economy.”
To know how to vote, here is a useful link. Now make sure you vote!
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. See how the ClimateMusic Project connects people to climate science and action through the emotional power of 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.
B. F. Skinner (1904-1990), an American psychologist, behaviourist, inventor, and social philosopher, provides his views on mistakes: “ A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- New briefing by EEA on current state of textile waste in Europe
- Generative AI is an energy hog
- EU citizens’ panel on energy efficiency will “contribute to shaping EU laws and initiatives in this area”
- The latest victims of the culture wars in America: woke white goods
- New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years
- Is London ready to be a “sponge city”?
- Ships are continuing to discharge huge quantities of air pollutants at ports
- Global climate policy and action plans also largely fail to speak to gender and childhood vulnerabilities
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 