Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate

We need to rethink the way we construct our buildings in order to reduce embodied carbon. The strategies to reduce embodied carbon already exist – from building smarter to decarbonising building materials. To shine a light on these solutions, the Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) recently published a working paper presenting key facts … Continue reading Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate →

Johnson Controls publishes its latest annual energy efficiency indicator survey

This week Johnson Controls released its latest survey which revealed that 62 percent of organisations surveyed expect to increase investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, or smart building technology in 2022, indicating a return to pre-pandemic levels. Johnson Controls Annual Energy Efficiency Indicator Survey Reveals Investments in Sustainability have Rebounded to Pre-Pandemic Levels, … Continue reading Johnson Controls publishes its latest annual energy efficiency indicator survey →

Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency

The UK has some of the least energy-efficient homes in Europe, with 19 million houses and flats needing extra insulation. In February the national Climate Change Committee said the government’s policy on insulation was ‘very poor’ and a lot more needed to be done. However, the government, with its new Energy Security Strategy, will not … Continue reading Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency →

The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts

Spewing most of the world's heat-trapping gases, fast-growing cities need to be transformed into clean, low emissions ecosystems in the struggle against climate breakdown. Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website how cities can be a microcosm of successful climate mitigation. Cities are major polluters: Can we make them climate neutral? Around 85% … Continue reading The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts →

Blog from Jane Marsh: 10 Things to Know About Renewable Energy Recycling

When Russia invaded Ukraine, global gas prices skyrocketed. Individuals search for alternative fuel sources to meet their transportation and energy demands. Rising gas prices and the green revolution influence society’s renewable energy adoption. The solar and wind power industries effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. After photovoltaic (PV) panels and turbines reach their expiration dates, they … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: 10 Things to Know About Renewable Energy Recycling →

What are our prospects for renewable energy and social anxiety?

Richard Maxwell, Ph.D. and Toby Miller, Ph.D. write on the Psychology Today website discuss anxiety that generally takes the form of concerns regarding cost, employment, and reliability. People are even anxious about their views and property values diminishing when it comes to implementing renewable energy, like onshore wind farms. The research shows that intense public … Continue reading What are our prospects for renewable energy and social anxiety? →

Europe’s first heat officer to help her city deal with rising temperatures due to climate change helping heat-destroyed British Columbia community

Heat-destroyed Lytton, B.C., features at TED conference seeking political will to solve climate change. Eleni Myrivili, chief heat officer of Athens said she hopes heat events, like those in B.C. and in her country, will be the catalyst needed for meaningful change. Chad Pawson discusses the issues in an article on the CBC News website. … Continue reading Europe’s first heat officer to help her city deal with rising temperatures due to climate change helping heat-destroyed British Columbia community →

One MEP makes powerful argument for Europe giving more focus to energy efficiency

modern thermostats, and building insulation - could go a long way toward enabling the EU to cut dependence on Russia’s natural gas and petroleum products. As it is, the EU is the single largest customer for Russia's natural gas and petroleum products. Russia accounts for around 40 per cent of the EU's gas imports and … Continue reading One MEP makes powerful argument for Europe giving more focus to energy efficiency →

Putting some urgency into need to deploy heat pumps in Europe

As the European Union tries to free itself from Russian gas, it should offer subsidies and policy supports to boost heat-pump adoption, a new report says. Jeff St. John discusses in an article on the Canary Media website. How to move Europe from gas heat to heat pumps — fast Heat pumps play a major role in … Continue reading Putting some urgency into need to deploy heat pumps in Europe →

Certifying vineyards for carbon neutrality

Dave McIntyre writes on the Washington Post website about the effort one company in California is taking to have its vineyard certified as carbon neutral. What do you think? What it takes for a winery to earn a Climate Neutral certification When Jess Baum joined Fetzer Vineyards in August 2020 as the company’s new … Continue reading Certifying vineyards for carbon neutrality →