Ireland becomes second country to declare climate emergency

As Greta Thunberg said, having heard of Ireland’s decision, “Who is next?” Michelle Devane writes in the Irish Independent to discuss the decision made May 9th. For background, the International Energy Agency recently reviewed Irish energy Policies. In its review it is stated: “Ireland is not on track to meet its climate target of a … Continue reading Ireland becomes second country to declare climate emergency →

Researchers team up with local greenhouses to work on improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs

In the region discussed in this article, I grew up with two uncles with greenhouses. One had 5 acres (about 2 hectares) of greenhouses and the other had much less but he was probably Canada’s first organic farmer. But, even then, I remember how energy-intensive (oil heating) the activity was, particularly when growing vegetables in … Continue reading Researchers team up with local greenhouses to work on improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs →

Strong argument for removing subsidies for fossil fuels

With climate protests gaining momentum and with more and more pushing for a low carbon energy transition, there is definitely a need to re-think our entire approach to our energy systems. Instead of hoping market forces solve the climate crisis, the government needs to stop giving tax breaks to polluters, so argues Clive Lewis in … Continue reading Strong argument for removing subsidies for fossil fuels →

Looking at the cost of renewable energy

There’s a new working paper that was covered by Axios this week which makes some rather bold claims about the high cost of policies that require a certain percentage of power to be generated from renewable sources. Whether those claims will stand up to peer-review, though, is yet to be seen. This is explained in … Continue reading Looking at the cost of renewable energy →

Analysing Britain’s Energy Performance Certificates

An Everest study analyses 15,623,536 home Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) across the country to reveal the best and worst rated areas for energy efficiency. It is explained in an article on the Open Access Government website. Revealed: The best and worst areas for energy efficiency Britain’s houses are some of the oldest and coldest … Continue reading Analysing Britain’s Energy Performance Certificates →

Monitoring the human effect on climate by analysing tree rings

The study of analysing tree rings offers additional evidence that climate effects are primarily the result of human activity. Ivan Semeniuk explains in an article on the Globe & Mail website. Tree rings show human effect on climate goes back more than a century In 1896, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius made a prescient calculation that … Continue reading Monitoring the human effect on climate by analysing tree rings →

US Environmental Protection Agency publishes document to help citizens cope with the fallout from natural disasters due largely to climate change

There are often mixed messages coming out of the US these days concerning climate change. Juliet Eilperin and Brady Dennis write in the Washington Post about an important new report coming from the EPA. New EPA document tells communities to brace for climate change impacts The Environmental Protection Agency published a 150-page document this past … Continue reading US Environmental Protection Agency publishes document to help citizens cope with the fallout from natural disasters due largely to climate change →

Scientists have been working on what they say is the world’s first “biosolar leaf”, which they claim can mop up carbon dioxide and discharge oxygen into the atmosphere more efficiently than a typical tree

Scientists say this technology can do the work of 100 trees using the surface area of one. Diane Taylor explains in an article in The Guardian. 'Biosolar leaf' project targets air pollution on London campus The news on carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere is rarely good. Scientists and campaigners have warned repeatedly that … Continue reading Scientists have been working on what they say is the world’s first “biosolar leaf”, which they claim can mop up carbon dioxide and discharge oxygen into the atmosphere more efficiently than a typical tree →

Chicago commits itself to going 100 % renewable by 2035

It is encouraging to see the efforts being made by cities globally to move to a low-carbon energy transition. Kristin Musulin writes on the Smart Cities Dive website about the commitment recently made by the city of Chicago. Chicago becomes largest US city to commit to 100% clean energy Dive Brief: The Chicago City … Continue reading Chicago commits itself to going 100 % renewable by 2035 →

Michael Bloomberg plays key role in America’s low-carbon energy transition

We have all been watching the lack of initiative of the Trump administration in addressing climate change. This does not mean there is not a lot of good action happening in the country. Dino Grandoni writes in the Washington Post about the initiatives taken by former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg. Trump isn't fully funding … Continue reading Michael Bloomberg plays key role in America’s low-carbon energy transition →