More concerns about maritime pollution

Environmental “cheat” devices fitted to thousands of ships could render some UK ports unusable by contaminating sediment and increasing the cost of dredging, authorities fear. ‘Scrubbers’ may pollute sea instead of air despite complying with new legislation. Wil Crisp explains in an article on the Independent website. Environmental ‘cheat devices’ fitted to thousands of … Continue reading More concerns about maritime pollution →

One climate scientist says his profession needs to alter its approach to avoid being part of the problem

As we saw with the recent IEA post on modelling, there is a need to re-assess how we do analysis related to climate change. Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University in Sweden writes on The Conversation website that climate scientists need to alter their approach. What are your … Continue reading One climate scientist says his profession needs to alter its approach to avoid being part of the problem →

Will the IEA’s models reflect meeting the Paris climate objectives?

In September, EiD had a post on concerns about modelling at the International Energy Agency and whether it truly meets the objectives of the Paris climate agreement. Now the Oil Change International team write on the Price of Oil website about similar concerns. They worry that there is now an over reliance on natural gas … Continue reading Will the IEA’s models reflect meeting the Paris climate objectives? →

Solving the energy consumption and scaling problems will be crucial if Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, is ever to fulfil its dream of replacing existing payment method

“The energy consumption required to continue this speculative bubble is tremendous. Maintaining the Bitcoin network currently consumes more electricity than entire nations like Switzerland …” writes Thomas Hornigold on the singularityhub website about the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. He goes on to discuss the energy issues and the options that are becoming available. He concludes: “We can’t … Continue reading Solving the energy consumption and scaling problems will be crucial if Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, is ever to fulfil its dream of replacing existing payment method →

EEA briefings show reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem and to foster a more circular economy

Improved circular and climate-friendly business models and policies to boost reuse and recycling, plus improved consumer awareness will help the European Union tackle the growing problem posed by plastic, battery, electronic and textile waste, according to two European Environment Agency (EEA) briefings published recently. Reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem … Continue reading EEA briefings show reuse and recycling are key to tackling Europe’s waste problem and to foster a more circular economy →

Finance is critical if the world is to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7

Olivia Coldrey, Lead Finance Specialist from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) writes on the SDG Knowledge Hub website of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) about the new investment that is urgently needed to achieve universal energy access by 2030. New SEforALL Research Shows Urgent Investment Needed to Achieve Universal Energy Access by … Continue reading Finance is critical if the world is to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 →

Renewable energies have a significant role to play in ensuring industry becomes more sustainable

The low carbon energy transition requires action in many ways. Emily Folk writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website on the benefits of industry deploying more renewable energy. Industrial Applications of Renewable Energy We tend to blame meat-eaters and plastic-straw-users when it comes to climate change. However, according to a report released in 2017, … Continue reading Renewable energies have a significant role to play in ensuring industry becomes more sustainable →

Airships, once associated with the golden age of luxury transport, could play a role in allowing people to travel the world without destroying it

Jason Allardyce writes in an article in the Sunday Times about airships, electric planes and flight rationing among low-carbon aviation alternatives mooted by an Scots academic. Do you think this is a viable possibility? Scots researcher says zeppelins may be stairway to green travel Airships, once associated with the golden age of luxury transport, … Continue reading Airships, once associated with the golden age of luxury transport, could play a role in allowing people to travel the world without destroying it →

Understanding the importance of EU energy performance standards in Britain

Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, asks an important question in the October issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry about Britain’s future in EU energy performance standards. They have had an important impact in lowering electricity consumption in recent years but, because of Brexit, there are worries that Britain may take … Continue reading Understanding the importance of EU energy performance standards in Britain →

Croissant-making techniques inspire researchers to experiment in storing energy

One never knows where we will get our inspiration. I never expect it in my local bakery but obviously some do. Researchers at Queen Mary, University of London, were inspired by pastry folding techniques. David Woode explains in an article on the i news website. Croissant-making method leads to breakthrough in sustainable energy storage … Continue reading Croissant-making techniques inspire researchers to experiment in storing energy →