From now until COP26 we are going to read more and more about the challenges to keep temperatures below 1.5℃. Some are arguing it is already impossible. But four eminent academics argue that with the right political action, we can achieve such an objective. Bill Hare, Director, Climate Analytics, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University (Perth), Visiting … Continue reading Keeping temperature rises below 1.5℃ cannot be guaranteed, given the history of action to date, but the goal is certainly not impossible
Author: Rod Janssen
Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
In the last 15 years, the US has seen a dramatic change in its shift to a carbon-free electric power system. Ryan Wiser, Bentham Paulos, Dev Millstein and Joseph Rand from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory write on The Conversation website about this shift. Pay particular attention to what has happened to projected energy demand. … Continue reading Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system
The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations
Jill Ward, Silla Brush and John Ainger from Bloomberg write on the Washington Post website about the EU embedding environmental goals in standards for banks, money managers, insurers and member states’ public spending plans. Why EU Climate Weapon Is in the Financial Fine Print The fight against climate change involves more than wind turbines … Continue reading The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations
Will vertical axis wind turbines replace traditional design?
Harry Cockburn asks in an article on the Independent website if we are about to see a revolution in turbine design. ‘More efficient’ vertical turbines should replace traditional design on wind farms, researchers say Farm of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (Oxford Brookes University) New research suggests the now-familiar sight of three-blade wind turbines should … Continue reading Will vertical axis wind turbines replace traditional design?
One expert’s views on how to design a successful carbon trading scheme
As India contemplates the creation of a domestic emissions trading scheme, a number of things should be kept in mind. Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, Convergence Energy Services Limited provides his views in an article on the Financial Express website. Carbon Trading: New emission-markets for a new decade As the world gets closer to … Continue reading One expert’s views on how to design a successful carbon trading scheme
Cutting carbon emissions from construction
Building sites produce emissions and air pollution. Cities, developers and construction machinery manufacturers are looking for ways to clean them up. Chermaine Lee discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Green construction: Creating emissions-free building sites The dust, smell, noise and heat from Hong Kong's many construction sites are often "unbearable" for … Continue reading Cutting carbon emissions from construction
More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are not yet taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient
A news item on the Dutch News website discusses the problems in getting homeowners to take action to make their homes more energy efficient. Are you finding the same problems in your country? More than half of home owners are not boosting energy efficiency More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are … Continue reading More than half the Netherlands’ four million home owners are not yet taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient
Climate change: “recently, more reasons for optimism have emerged than we’ve seen for decades’
Gabi Mocatta, Lecturer in Communication, Deakin University, and Research Fellow in Climate Change Communication, Climate Futures Program at the University of Tasmania and Rebecca Harris, Senior Lecturer in Climatology, Director, Climate Futures Program, also at the University of Tasmania provide a sense of optimism in our addressing climate change in an article on The Conversation … Continue reading Climate change: “recently, more reasons for optimism have emerged than we’ve seen for decades’
Germany benefits from citizen assembly on environmental ambitions
Inspired by citizens’ assemblies in Ireland and France, Germany is doing the same. One hundred and sixty Germans, four major issues, one goal: for lawmakers to live up to their climate pledges. The Citizen Assembly is set to debate Germany's environmental ambitions and make sure its voices are heard. Martin Kuebler discusses recent developments in … Continue reading Germany benefits from citizen assembly on environmental ambitions
Novel energy storage technology involves suspending heavy weights above deep mine shafts
Under this novel system, weights are winched above mine shafts using green power generated on sunny or windy days, ready to be dropped to generate power when renewable output slumps or the grid needs power to “balance” its output. Madeleine Cuff discusses the technology in an article on the inews website. Mine shafts set … Continue reading Novel energy storage technology involves suspending heavy weights above deep mine shafts
