New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics

Extending the lifetime and delaying obsolescence of electronics can significantly reduce their environmental and climate impacts and contribute to meeting the European Union’s (EU) environment, climate and circular economy objectives. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, smartphones, televisions, washing machines and vacuum cleaners all are used on average for shorter … Continue reading New EEA briefing on importance of extending lifetime of electronics →

As the world confronts a changing climate, India is a crucial unknown, and its decisions could either doom efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions — or jump-start them

Joanna Slater writes on the Washington Post website about the crucial role India plays in our global low-carbon future. What do you think? Can India chart a low-carbon future? The world might depend on it. Dusk was falling as Sadanand Jha drove his electric three-wheeler through the streets of this north Indian city, passing … Continue reading As the world confronts a changing climate, India is a crucial unknown, and its decisions could either doom efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions — or jump-start them →

Australia’s energy market is outdated and that’s holding back the transition to renewable energy

Reform would help create a modern grid designed around clean energy, pushing coal-fired generators to retire earlier writes Daniel J Cass, Research Affiliate, Sydney Business School at the University of Sydney in an article on The Conversation website. Energy giants want to thwart reforms that would help renewables and lower power bills Australia’s energy … Continue reading Australia’s energy market is outdated and that’s holding back the transition to renewable energy →

French citizens of the citizens’ convention for the climate propose a new model to “profoundly change society” in order to respond to the climate crisis

150 volunteers participated in the Citizens’ Convention on the Climate in France. They must now debate and vote on each of their proposals, which include amending the Constitution and the allowing use of referendums, as well as deciding on how to fund their measures. Audrey Garric and Rémi Barroux explain latest developments in an article … Continue reading French citizens of the citizens’ convention for the climate propose a new model to “profoundly change society” in order to respond to the climate crisis →

Efforts to undermine climate change science in the US federal government now increasingly driven by midlevel managers trying to protect their jobs and budgets and wary of the scrutiny of senior officials

Lisa Friedman writes on the New York Times website that federal workers have internalised President Trump’s antagonism for climate science. This has to be a concern. What are your views? A War Against Climate Science, Waged by Washington’s Rank and File Efforts to undermine climate change science in the federal government, once orchestrated largely … Continue reading Efforts to undermine climate change science in the US federal government now increasingly driven by midlevel managers trying to protect their jobs and budgets and wary of the scrutiny of senior officials →

UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families

A study into 20 proposed developments suggests transport links and local amenities are poor with communities requiring expanded road systems. This hardly seems sustainable. Tom Bawden explains in an article on the inews website. Garden community projects could create 200,000 car-dependent families, study suggests A flagship project to build more than 50 green housing … Continue reading UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families →

New EEA assessment on cutting emissions through reducing and using bio-waste

Bio-waste is one of the key waste streams in Europe and holds great potential for the circular economy. According to the European Environment Agency’s new assessment, reducing and using bio-waste could cut emissions, improve soils and provide energy. Recycling bio-waste is also key for meeting the European Union’s target to recycle 65 % of municipal … Continue reading New EEA assessment on cutting emissions through reducing and using bio-waste →

Critical electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks, particularly during a pandemic

Any cyberattack is of concern but as we try to decarbonise our energy systems, resulting in the increased use of electricity, these threats have to be a priority. Henri van Soest, PhD Candidate in Land Economy at the University of Cambridge discusses many of the issues in an article on The Conversation website. Cybercriminals … Continue reading Critical electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks, particularly during a pandemic →

“If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water”

Stanley Reed writes on the New York Times about recent developments in offshore wind power. The wind power industry sees an opportunity in allowing wind turbines to be pushed into deeper water. A New Weapon Against Climate Change May Float A strange-looking contraption that could represent a new frontier in clean energy wallowed in … Continue reading “If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water” →

German WindEnergie Association expects to play key role in producing hydrogen

There is a lot of talk recently about the importance of green hydrogen in our low carbon energy transition. An article on the FuelCellsWorks website discusses the reaction of the German WindEnergie Association to the national hydrogen strategy in Germany. What are your views? Wind Energy can Turn Hydrogen Green as Early as 2020 … Continue reading German WindEnergie Association expects to play key role in producing hydrogen →