Author: Rod Janssen

What is the UN Security Council doing about the threat of climate change?

Ashley Murphy, a PhD Researcher at Keele University raises an important point about the role of the UN Security Council in an article on The Conversation website. What are your views?   Climate change is a security threat – so where is the UN Security Council? Climate change is one of the great security challenges … Continue reading What is the UN Security Council doing about the threat of climate change? →

Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S.

Urban mobility is an extremely important topic for towns and cities around the world. Cities are filled with traffic congestion, noise pollution, and most importantly a deterioration of urban air quality. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation in the U.S. generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) (28%)[i], while … Continue reading Blog from Silvia Zinetti: Sprynt – sustainable urban mobility solution from the U.S. →

Alaska realises it cannot avoid taking major steps to fight climate change

While the Trump Administration may be negative in its approach to climate change, more and more states are taking action. We have regularly read about California, but now we are seeing that Alaska, with its fragile environment is now developing a long-term plan. Brad Plumer explains in an article in the New York Times.   … Continue reading Alaska realises it cannot avoid taking major steps to fight climate change →

Giant step by California to require solar power systems on all new homes

We need more jurisdictions to show the leadership that we are seeing in California. It is encouraging to see how the state plans to significantly increase the use of solar power. Ivan Penn explains in an article in the New York Times.   California Will Require Solar Power for New Homes Long a leader and … Continue reading Giant step by California to require solar power systems on all new homes →

Denmark sets new long-term target for renewables

Last week, Denmark announced that it will set a higher target for renewables and will phase out coal for electricity production. Liz Gykye explains in a news item on the Wind Power Monthly website.   Denmark moves to strengthen renewable energy goals The government has announced plans in its new energy policy to require at … Continue reading Denmark sets new long-term target for renewables →

New developments in energy storage

There has been an important new technology breakthrough at Stanford University in developing a manganese-hydrogen battery. Tom Abate explains on the Stanford News website.   New water-based battery offers large-scale energy storage Stanford scientists have developed a manganese-hydrogen battery that could fill a missing piece in the nation’s energy puzzle by storing wind and solar … Continue reading New developments in energy storage →

Atmospheric carbon dioxide reached levels for first time in our history

We have to be increasingly concerned about the increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels being reached. Eric Holthaus calls this on the National Observer website “the biggest problem humanity has ever faced.” So why were UN talks officially suspended this week in Bonn as countries failed to resolve differences about implementing the Paris climate agreement. What … Continue reading Atmospheric carbon dioxide reached levels for first time in our history →

Understanding public reaction to wind farms

It has been an on-going debate for many years. Many in the public do not like the visual effects of on-shore wind farms. Jeremy Firestone, Professor, and Director of the Center for Carbon-free Power Integration (CCPI) at the University of Delaware together with Ben Hoen and Joseph Rand of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, write … Continue reading Understanding public reaction to wind farms →