Energy in Demand News, September 8, 2024

The new academic year is now upon us. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) discusses a new study that raises concerns about university ties to the fossil fuel sector. The study provides the first review of research looking at the sector’s extensive role in higher education. It draws from nearly three dozen reports on how university ties to oil and gas companies have created biases in research, supported unproven solutions for climate mitigation and curbed academic freedom. “The review cited a report last year from Data for Progress, a progressive think-tank, which found that six fossil fuel companies, including Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell have contributed at least $700mn in donations to US universities from 2010 to 2020. Another recent study from Columbia University found that university energy centres that accepted donations from the gas industry were more favourable in their research towards the fuel than renewables, while institutions less dependent on gas funding displayed the opposite trend.” The FT article continues: “Nearly 1,000 academics have signed an open letter organised by Fossil Free Research calling for US and UK universities to halt funding from the industry for climate, environmental and energy research.” Have you noticed that the fossil fuel industries have had undue influence in the universities you’ve been involved in?

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. The Global Citizen Festival is returning to New York City September 28^th. Global Citizen calls on urgent action to defeat poverty, demand equity and defend the planet. Variety recently announced that British superstar Raye and “Beautiful Things” singer Benson Boone have been added to the lineup for the 2024 Global Citizen Festival, alongside previously announced headliners Post Malone, Doja Cat, Lisa, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro.

It is quite scary what is happening in the Arctic regions. EiD would like to draw your attention to the recent blog by Irene Quaile, a friend of EiD, on why the Arctic needs Azerbaijan  – COP29 – to be a success.

To ensure that the zero carbon energy transition gains momentum we need a new generation of experts to continue the good work. EiD encourages all young researchers (born after 1989) in energy efficiency and biomass to submit contributions for next year’s Young Energy Researchers Conference on March 5^th as part of World Sustainable Energy Days, March 5-8, 2025 in Wels, Austria. Altogether there are six conferences and a tradeshow packed into the four days. The theme of this year’s energy efficiency conference is “2025: Competitive, collective, climate-neutral!” Submissions for the young energy researchers conference are invited from any scientific field (e.g. technology, engineering, economics, social sciences, architecture, law, arts) and must be in English only. The deadline for submissions is October 10th.  Rod is a member of the scientific committee for the young researchers’ conference.

In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful ideas to help you along:

• Lonely Planet’s train expert provides his top 5 rail journeys in Europe for 2024.
• According to Euronews, starting in February next year, the new European Sleeper train will travel between Brussels and Venice, passing through nine different cities.
• 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 in September and October.
• There is always the option of virtual tourism at the Xplore Nature Channel. There are now 130 videos. With the seasons soon changing, why not take a virtual nature walk in Germany.
• The Guardian provides 15 tips for the reluctant camper to love life beneath the stars.

James Randi (1928-2020), a Canadian-American stage magician, author, and scientific sceptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims, leaves us with something to reflect on  this week: “Those who believe without reason cannot be convinced by reason.”

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

• A rapid and meaningful expansion of ‘climate mainstreaming’ is vital for addressing the urgent global climate crisis
• The need to engage and educate home occupiers about how to live in a more complex and gas-free home of the future
• The important role of digital twins
• The challenges for climate neutral aviation
• The hunt for some of the biggest electric vehicles in the world
• For this climate and energy transition, “just stick with familiar terms that people understand”
• DNV’s publishes Energy Industry Insights special report on how excellence in digitalisation is helping energy industry organisations grow greener, faster, and better
• Nuclear is costly, risky and slow – why then do governments still champion it?

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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