Energy in Demand News, August 23-24, 2026

The Trump administration is doing everything possible to crush California’s environmental policies that have been respected world-wide, New York Times reports. “Mr. Trump and his Republican allies in Congress have blocked California from setting its own limits on automobile pollution, which federal law has permitted since the 1970s. The Energy Department has announced $75 million … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 23-24, 2026

When the air gets cleaner in cities, children’s lungs recover

In an article on the BBC News website, Smitha Mundasad discusses how children’s lungs grew bigger and stronger after the most polluting vehicles were restricted from entering London, a study has found.   Scientists stunned by children's lung recovery in ultra low emission zone Scientists say they have been "stunned" by how quickly young children's … Continue reading When the air gets cleaner in cities, children’s lungs recover

Energy in Demand News, August 9-10, 2026

The US-Iran war is encouraging a global switch to clean energy. Noah Gordon, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace describes in the Financial Times the positive transition to clean energy: “With a significant proportion of global supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas bottled up in the Strait of Hormuz since the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 9-10, 2026

Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026

In Canada this week, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen urged decisive action by quoting a famous hockey credo: "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." The Trump administration is moving to gut energy efficiency rules for home appliances that are proven to cut demand for power and lower utility bills. The Washington Post … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 5-6, 2026

New EEA assessment of EU member states progress in meeting national emission reduction targets for key air pollutants

Most EU Member States are on track to meet their 2020-2029 national emission reduction targets for key air pollutants, according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) monitoring check-up published this week. Reducing ammonia emissions, however, remains a persistent challenge. The EEA has also updated its city air quality ranking, which focuses on long-term air … Continue reading New EEA assessment of EU member states progress in meeting national emission reduction targets for key air pollutants

Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026

The Financial Times reports that Elon Musk’s SpaceX “was awarded the lowest possible environmental, social and governance rating by index provider MSCI [Morgan Stanley Capital International] ahead of the company’s record $75bn public float this month. The triple C assessment means SpaceX has the same score as that awarded to the Russian state on MSCI’s … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 28-29, 2026

The catalytic converter: the environmental technology that changed everything

In an article on The Conversation website, Ann E. Carlson, Professor of Environmental Law, University of California, Los Angeles writes about how California's strict vehicle emissions standards drove the development and adoption of catalytic converters, transforming air quality in the United States and beyond. California’s willingness to maintain strict vehicle emissions standards accelerated the adoption … Continue reading The catalytic converter: the environmental technology that changed everything

The toxic legacy of the global plastic waste trade

Ellen M. Considine, Assistant Professor of Geography and Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder in an article on The Conversation website connects plastic waste exports, open burning, air pollution and public health, showing how wealthy countries often shift the environmental burden of plastic waste onto developing … Continue reading The toxic legacy of the global plastic waste trade

Cooling cities means tackling traffic as well as buildings

In an article on The Conversation website, Zhonghua Zheng Assistant Professor in Data Science and Environmental Analytics, University of Manchester discusses how traffic is not just a source of pollution and emissions—it is also a significant contributor to urban heat, and reducing vehicle traffic can help cities adapt to climate change.   How traffic makes … Continue reading Cooling cities means tackling traffic as well as buildings

European cities are starting to show what happens when streets are built for people

Zeeshan Tirmizi writes on the Deutsche Welle website about a citizen-led campaign in Berlin that is collecting signatures to create a car‑free centre in the German capital. Other European cities also show what happens when streets are built for people.   Here's what happens when cities kick out cars Berliners lost 60 hours to traffic … Continue reading European cities are starting to show what happens when streets are built for people