The energy transition is proving to be quite a challenge. This week, the New York Times (behind a paywall) wondered why the oil industry is booming. High prices and growing demand have helped US oil producers take in record profits despite global efforts to spur greater use of renewable energy and electric cars. The article explains: “That the price and demand for oil have been so strong suggests that the shift to renewable energy and electric vehicles will take longer and be more bumpy than some climate activists and world leaders once hoped.” It goes on: “While oil makes up a smaller portion of the global energy mix than it did before the pandemic, partly because of the growth of electric vehicles, thirst for the fuel has continued to climb. Global demand reached a record of more than 100 million barrels a day in 2023, up 2.6 percent from 2022, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy.” It is uncomfortable reading about the role of Wall Street investors: “Oil companies’ success is not just the result of higher prices. Under pressure from Wall Street to improve financial returns, the companies that survived the 2020 oil-price crash generally ditched the debt-fueled growth strategy that had propelled the American shale boom.” One can just imagine what will happen if Trump returns as president. Drill, baby, drill is his motto. Can the IPCC find a way to get through to these Americans? If not, who can?
In the context of COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, there is a global call to the UNFCCC to include cultural heritage, the arts and creative sectors in climate policy. Fanny Po Sim Head writes on the Interlude website about nine musical pieces inspired by climate change. She says: “Music, as a vehicle of emotional expression, has been used to represent and reflect the trauma caused by climate change.”
In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful news to help you along:
- Lonely Planet’s train expert provides his top 5 rail journeys in Europe for 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.
- Climbing House provides the 11 Top Climbing Spots in Europe.
- Epic Road Rides provides their choice of the best places to cycle for a cycling holiday this summer.
- 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 nature walk in Turkey.
- CopenPay – To get tourists to act more sustainably Wonderful Copenhagen is launching a new initiative: Pay for a variety of Copenhagen attractions with climate-friendly actions.
Iris Murdoch (1919-1999), an Irish and British novelist and philosopher, gives us her views of the bicycle: “ The bicycle is the most civilised conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure in heart.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- Tackling climate change and its consequences needs urgent investment
- Food’s role in climate change has emerged as one of the defining challenges of our time
- Is there a future for hydrogen?
- New report from UK’s Energy Saving Trust on use of loans
- If Europe wants to meet its climate targets and set the standard for sustainable food production then improving the sustainability of greenhouse farming will be a key concern
- Nearly 50 years ago an American oil company warned of climate risks
- The energy giant Shell promised to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste into oil each year, but now says goal is unfeasible
- Protecting London a matter of ‘national security’ if extreme weather hits
- Butter made from air instead of cows?
- High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development closed this week
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 