Climate change: “the wine sector is the canary in the coalmine”

Forgotten grape varieties offer adaptation hope for an industry particularly sensitive to change. In an article on the Guardian website, Ashifa Kassam discusses how some winemakers are adapting to the changing conditions.   Climate-resistant grapes? Spanish winemakers revive ancient varieties The ads – tucked in the corners of local newspapers and directed at winemakers – … Continue reading Climate change: “the wine sector is the canary in the coalmine”

Corporations and governments have “undervalued” the benefits of being transparent about how a changing climate will affect revenues, profits and the economy

Carl Meyer writes on The Narwal website about Mark Carney’s views on what governments and corporate leaders need to be doing to get climate change actions on track. Mark Carney is the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, who is also the United Nations special envoy for climate action and finance.   … Continue reading Corporations and governments have “undervalued” the benefits of being transparent about how a changing climate will affect revenues, profits and the economy

“Energy efficiency could and should play a major role in our paths towards carbon neutrality”

In a recent newsletter by the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, its Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tatsuya Terazawa, provides an important argument on the importance of energy efficiency in addressing our long-term climate and energy objectives.   “Why Energy Efficiency?” For many, pursuing energy efficiency is not as attractive as developing renewable energies. While you … Continue reading “Energy efficiency could and should play a major role in our paths towards carbon neutrality”

New EEA briefing on how to handle discarded textiles in Europe

Discarded textiles in Europe, including used clothing and footwear, are an increasing waste and export problem. Rapidly increasing EU exports of used textiles — some of which is reused and some of which ends up in landfills — show that Europe faces a challenge in how to handle its own used textiles, according to a … Continue reading New EEA briefing on how to handle discarded textiles in Europe

Recent study found that chess experts perform worse when there is more particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air

A recent study conducted by researchers from Maastricht University (Netherlands) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) analysed the quality of chess moves across multiple German chess tournaments. They found that chess experts perform worse when there is more particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. In an article on the Conversation website, Francis Pope, Professor … Continue reading Recent study found that chess experts perform worse when there is more particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air

Heat pumps gaining market share in Europe

Heat pump sales, an integral part of the EU’s plan to kick Russian gas to the curb, saw record growth in 2022, with France, Poland and Finland standing out most, however, Germany is not among them. Nikolaus J. Kurmayer discusses developments in an article on the EURACTIV website.   Three countries became heat pump forerunners … Continue reading Heat pumps gaining market share in Europe

Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050

Adam Morton writes on the Guardian website about a new report from the Australian Industry Energy Transition Initiative that found they could cut annual CO2 from 221m tonnes in 2020 to 17m tonnes by mid-century while steel and iron production rose by nearly 20% and aluminium production by more than 30%.   Australia’s big emitters … Continue reading Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050

Top skiers demanding action over the climate emergency

This season, there has been a notable lack of snow across Alpine resorts, leaving holidaymakers disappointed and causing some ski tournaments to be called off. Global heating has meant that there is no longer guaranteed snow at some of the top ski areas, with the situation predicted to get worse as the planet heats and … Continue reading Top skiers demanding action over the climate emergency

France has not yet put in place the overall strategy needed to achieve a “leap forward” in its climate action

In an interview with Audrey Garric on the Le Monde website, the president of the High Council on Climate, Corinne Le Quéré , observes that while the French response to global warming isn't bad, there is no guarantee that the country will be able to meet its climate targets. Corinne Le Quéré is the president of the … Continue reading France has not yet put in place the overall strategy needed to achieve a “leap forward” in its climate action

California’s new climate plan shows the way forward to achieving greater impact

Professor Daniel Sperling at the University of California, Davis writes on The Conversation website about how the experience and lessons learned in California will help show the way forward for the rest of the world to address the climate and energy challenges.   How California’s ambitious new climate plan could help speed energy transformation around … Continue reading California’s new climate plan shows the way forward to achieving greater impact