Amazingly Trump administration and California both want to erect wind turbines off of the state’s coast

In the past couple of years, the federal administration and California have seldom agreed on policies. Dino Grandoni writes in the Washington Post that offshore wind power is one area of agreement. California and the Trump administration rarely agree on energy policy. Here's an exception. Under President Trump, the federal government and the nation’s … Continue reading Amazingly Trump administration and California both want to erect wind turbines off of the state’s coast →

The explosion in renewable energy projects on blockchain is already promising

We are reading about the use of blockchain in many applications. Ralph Tkatchuk writes on the dataconomy website about its use in promoting renewable energy. How Blockchain is Boosting Renewable Energy The explosion in renewable energy projects on blockchain is already promising—there are 122 startups operating in the space, with nearly half launching since … Continue reading The explosion in renewable energy projects on blockchain is already promising →

The time for action is now

Alyssa Battistoni writes on the Jacobin magazine website that the urgency of climate change has never been clearer. We need a bold vision of a good and livable future — and a political programme to match. This is a must read for all EiD followers. There’s No Time for Gradualism There’s a strange circularity … Continue reading The time for action is now →

Could the world be sustainable with less efficiency and more GHG emissions?

One week after the publication of the IPCC report on the 1.5°C target, the International Energy Agency released its flagship energy efficiency publication entitled “Energy Efficiency 2018 - Analysis and Outlook to 2040”. In the foreword of the publication, Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol claims, rightly, that “this year’s report is the most comprehensive analysis … Continue reading Could the world be sustainable with less efficiency and more GHG emissions? →

Addressing ‘wickedness’

Wicked is an emotive word, conjuring up many thoughts and images. One can think of the musical Wicked, for starters. But Ana de Almeida Kumlien and Paul Coughlan from Trinity College Dublin bring a different perspective in an article on The Conversation Website. But, as they open their article, “Wicked problems are issues so complex … Continue reading Addressing ‘wickedness’ →

India takes steps to confront its air pollution dilemma

Many of the most polluted cities are in India. Other environmental concerns are raised all the time. India is going through a transition that is not simple for any country, but particularly for one as large as it. Joanna Slater writes in the Washington Post about efforts to get farmers to be part of the … Continue reading India takes steps to confront its air pollution dilemma →

Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends

How do we find a balance between tradition and modern attempts to digitalise our world. Santa Maria Tonantzintla was set to be one of Mexico’s first smart cities – but residents saw it as an attempt to westernise their town and leave tradition behind. All of you know there is this on-going tug. Madeleine Wattenbarger … Continue reading Smart cities: a conflict repeated the world over, between centuries-old customs and new development trends →

Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport

We have many urban issues to deal with in the low-carbon energy transition. Air pollution that deals with transport and our built environment is but one of them. It is encouraging to see that one city in France has taken the bold step to offer entirely free public transport to residents and visitors alike. Kim … Continue reading Dunkerque – the largest city in Europe to offer free public transport →

President Trump has ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance

President Trump is rarely nature's friend, but he has just ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance, explains Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, in an article on the Business Green website. Is Trump turning out to be the champion of the low-carbon energy transition? Hmmmm. Why President … Continue reading President Trump has ordered all US federal buildings to improve their energy performance →

Homeowners in Scotland could be legal required to improve energy performance of their dwellings

Andrew Picken wrote on the Sunday Post website that homeowners SNP ministers have revealed that homeowners could be legally required to improve the energy performance of their buildings. It will be interesting to see what finally gets approved. Energy minister warns that homeowners may in future be legally required to improve energy efficiency The … Continue reading Homeowners in Scotland could be legal required to improve energy performance of their dwellings →