Storylines could transform the way organisations understand and report their exposure to climate risk

The importance of ‘narratives’ to paint a picture of our future climate to help us make decisions are explained in an article on The Conversation website by Tanya Fiedler, Scientia Senior Lecturer (Climate Accounting) UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney; Andy Pitman, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, … Continue reading Storylines could transform the way organisations understand and report their exposure to climate risk →

Adaptation or mitigation? It’s a false choice — we need both

Natural disasters due to climate change are sadly becoming a regular occurrence in Canada. The forest fires in the north are causing endless problems and there is no end in sight. In an article on the CBC News website, Aaron Wherry argues that urgent action is needed. While this is an example from Canada, many … Continue reading Adaptation or mitigation? It’s a false choice — we need both →

An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner

Zoltan Nagy, Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, writes on The Conversation website about using a new AI system that helps shift energy use in buildings to times when the electricity grid is cleaner. What are your views? AI helps lighten the load on the electric … Continue reading An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner →

Energy in Demand News, August 11, 2024

This week Lord Adair Turner, the former chairman of the UK’s Climate Change Committee and the current chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, was interviewed in the Financial Times (behind a paywall). There are two particularly important quotes from him. The first concerns what it will cost to get to net zero: “In 2020, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 11, 2024 →

Global “backlash” against climate action was being stoked by the fossil fuel industry

In an article on the Guardian website, Fiona Harvey writes that the UN says a global ‘backlash’ against climate action is being stoked by fossil fuel companies. This is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. But how? ‘Massive disinformation campaign’ is slowing global transition to green energy Fossil fuel companies are running … Continue reading Global “backlash” against climate action was being stoked by the fossil fuel industry →

How communities are coming together to retrofit their homes and take important steps to address climate change

From weekly skills-sharing to rewilding streets, communities in Britain are working to improve the planet while bolstering the health of people. Hazel Sheffield discusses some of the initiatives underway in an article on the Guardian website. ‘Building something better’: the UK residents retrofitting their homes amid the climate crisis At first glance, Melrose Avenue … Continue reading How communities are coming together to retrofit their homes and take important steps to address climate change →

Is sufficiency catching on?

Influencers are pushing back against consumerism by encouraging followers to repair or repurpose their stuff. In an article on the Guardian website, Sara Radin questions whether this ‘trend’ is just what many people call normal life? For more on sufficiency, readers are encouraged to visit the Sufficiency Lab or eceee’s Energy Sufficiency website. ‘It … Continue reading Is sufficiency catching on? →

Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024

You may remember that in March 2023, the final instalment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) was published. This eight-year long undertaking from the world’s most authoritative scientific body on climate change detailed the devastating consequences of rising GHG emissions around the world — the destruction of homes, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024 →

New OECD report on which SMEs are greening

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) could play a pivotal role in the pursuit of climate objectives. SMEs have a significant carbon footprint on aggregate, but they can also contribute to reaching net zero through their innovations and commitment to the use of environmentally friendly practices. This study develops a novel metric to identify environmental engagement, … Continue reading New OECD report on which SMEs are greening →

Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health

In an article on The Conversation website, Peter Crank,Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Waterloo in Canada discusses the impact of extreme health on our mental well-being. Climate change and mental health: How extreme heat can affect mental illnesses During heat waves, hospital admissions for mental health spike. The past 10 years were the … Continue reading Extreme heat from climate change shown to have serious effect on mental health →