As with climate change, our collective ability to confront the pandemic is shaped by our brains. We are bad at thinking about tomorrow

As our activities change almost hourly because of the coronavirus, Somini Sengupta writes on the New York Times about the lessons learned between climate change and addressing the pandemic. What Climate Change Can Teach Us About Fighting the Coronavirus “Alarming levels of inaction.” That is what the World Health Organization said Wednesday about the … Continue reading As with climate change, our collective ability to confront the pandemic is shaped by our brains. We are bad at thinking about tomorrow →

New EEA briefing on need for EU member states to accelerate actions to reach GHG effort sharing targets

Emission cuts in the European Union’s (EU) Effort Sharing sectors need to accelerate considerably from 2018 onwards to achieve the current EU 2030 targets, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week. In particular, the large amount of emission reductions from planned measures in the transport sector need to materialise through concrete … Continue reading New EEA briefing on need for EU member states to accelerate actions to reach GHG effort sharing targets →

Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet”

For anyone traveling through the centre of Brussels recently, you notice so many road works to create car-free zones. Martin Kuebler writes on the Deutsche Welle about how the city is transforming itself. Let us know how you see the changes? Greening the city: How Brussels is planning for climate change The Belgian capital … Continue reading Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet” →

Ireland not on track to meet its long-term decarbonisation goals

Fossil fuel use in sectors a threat to Ireland’s long-term green energy goals. Kevin O’Sullivan discusses Ireland’s energy transition situation in an article on the Irish Times website. Transport and heat emissions holding back progress on decarbonising Significant progress in decarbonising power generation in Ireland is being undermined by increases in carbon emissions from … Continue reading Ireland not on track to meet its long-term decarbonisation goals →

Brace yourselves for the dawn of the New Stone Age

A recent exhibition in London has shown the innovations and the benefits of using stone more effectively as a building material. Oliver Wainwright explains in an article in The Guardian. The miracle new sustainable product that's revolutionising architecture – stone! A long stone plank stands on Store Street in central London, raised on triangular wooden … Continue reading Brace yourselves for the dawn of the New Stone Age →

An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies disclose how the climate emergency will impact their business

The Investment Association is giving UK companies three years to explain how they will adapt to the climate emergency. Kalyeena Makortoff explains in an article in The Guardian. Leading investor group tells companies to set out climate crisis plans An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies … Continue reading An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies disclose how the climate emergency will impact their business →

Researchers have developed a new type of concrete that can not only bend better, but doesn’t require cement to make, reducing its environmental footprint

Michael Irving writes on the New Atlas website about a new bendable type of concrete that has been developed. What are your views? Bendable concrete goes cement-free to cut environmental footprint Concrete is the world’s most widely-used building material thanks to its incredible strength – but it doesn’t stand up well against bending. Now, … Continue reading Researchers have developed a new type of concrete that can not only bend better, but doesn’t require cement to make, reducing its environmental footprint →

Concerns have been raised in Scotland about finding a balance between green energy and sustaining forests

Many windfarms have been built in Scotland in place of trees. It’s not all concern because the Scottish Government has pledged to cover more than one fifth of Scotland’s land area with trees by 2032 in a bid to help tackle the clime emergency. It is difficult, however, to find the right balance. Tom Gordon … Continue reading Concerns have been raised in Scotland about finding a balance between green energy and sustaining forests →

Rather than debating the causes of climate change or assigning blame, the US military focuses on how climate change undermines security, and on practical steps to slow its advance and minimise damage

Michael Klare, Professor Emeritus and Director, Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College writes on The Conversation website about the role the military can play in addressing climate change, especially when so many in the US are sceptical A military perspective on climate change could bridge the gap between … Continue reading Rather than debating the causes of climate change or assigning blame, the US military focuses on how climate change undermines security, and on practical steps to slow its advance and minimise damage →

Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change?

There’s overwhelming public acknowledgement that action has to be taken on climate change. But only a minority want to make changes to our lifestyle. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation provided his views in the February issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. How Far Are You Prepared To Go? No … Continue reading Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change? →