Saving Germany’s Riesling: solar solutions for a changing climate

As viticulture suffers from the effects of climate change, German researchers are experimenting with technology that fosters growth while also harvesting electricity. Mathilda Jordanova-Duda discusses the experiments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Solar energy protects German vineyards from climate change "VitiVoltaic" projects aim to make viticulture fit for climate change. The term … Continue reading Saving Germany’s Riesling: solar solutions for a changing climate

With climate change hitting vineyards around the world with more extreme weather, a growing number of quality-conscious wineries are releasing non-vintage bottles so they can make a more consistent wine

Will Smale writes on the BBC news website about the latest trend in the wine industry as it deals with the impact of climate change.   Climate change pushing winemakers to blend wines from different years In the world of wine vintage is king. If you are buying a bottle of red, white or rosé … Continue reading With climate change hitting vineyards around the world with more extreme weather, a growing number of quality-conscious wineries are releasing non-vintage bottles so they can make a more consistent wine

Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025

Undoubtedly, executives of big companies are as pleased as could be. Many big companies have started to drop climate goals from executive pay plans, as reported by the Financial Times (behind a paywall). For example, the Swiss bank UBS’s annual report this week dropped language that linked executives’ pay to environmental, social and governance goals … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 23-24, 2025

The American beef industry knew that raising cattle was a significant source of planet-warming emissions as early as 1989

New research finds the industry’s campaigns to confuse the public about beef’s climate impact go back longer than previously recognised. Georgina Gustin discusses the findings in an article on the National Observer website. The American beef Industry understood its climate impact decades ago The American beef industry knew that raising cattle was a significant source … Continue reading The American beef industry knew that raising cattle was a significant source of planet-warming emissions as early as 1989

New EEA briefing on biodiversity-friendly farming practices in Europe

Scaling up biodiversity-friendly farming practices can help to build sustainability and resilience in the farming sector, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week.   Biodiversity-friendly farming practices can help build sustainable, resilient agriculture The new EEA briefing 'Solutions for restoring Europe's agricultural ecosystems' presents evidence-based examples of key options available to … Continue reading New EEA briefing on biodiversity-friendly farming practices in Europe

In data since 1354, Burgundy can trace the impact of climate change

The 2024 harvest began on September 13. But, between the end of the Middle Ages and 1988, the average harvest started around September 27. Léa Sanchez discusses the trends in an article on the Le Monde website.   How Burgundy's grape harvest helps us understand climate change In 1792, the Republican calendar named the month … Continue reading In data since 1354, Burgundy can trace the impact of climate change

‘Agrivoltaics’ is not new, but is growing in popularity

Using the same piece of land for both solar and agriculture is known as "agrivoltaics." But there are several options as seen in Alberta. Pigs are used to eat the weeds under the solar panels. So are sheep. The other option is to grow crops. In Alberta there are several experiments underway to find the … Continue reading ‘Agrivoltaics’ is not new, but is growing in popularity

It will be no simple task for farmers and the food sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050

In an article on Canada’s National Newswatch website, Alex Binkley discusses the challenges that Canada’s agrifood sector has in achieving net zero. No doubt this will be a similar problem in most countries.   Achieving net zero emissions no simple task for agrifood sector It will be no simple task for farmers and the food … Continue reading It will be no simple task for farmers and the food sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050

How Solar Power Can Deliver Water Savings, Farm Success, and a Healthier Environment

The Union of Concerned Scientists have published a new fact sheet on the Maven’s Notebook website that focuses on how agrivoltaic and ecovoltaic solar energy systems can increase renewable energy production, reduce agricultural water use, and provide financial benefits for landowners and farmers.   UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS: The benefits of integrating solar energy with … Continue reading How Solar Power Can Deliver Water Savings, Farm Success, and a Healthier Environment

EnerWhizz Training Camp: Quiz Your Way Into Energy Efficiency

The EENOVA Quiz is an initiative to raise awareness about the EENOVA project and energy challenges in the food value chain through an online game. The quiz aims to educate participants about the food chain's reliance on fossil fuels by engaging them in a brief, timed quiz consisting of yes-or-no questions based on the latest … Continue reading EnerWhizz Training Camp: Quiz Your Way Into Energy Efficiency