Air conditioning units are deceptive contributors to the climate crisis. Temperatures are changing worldwide, altering household behaviors. Many have increased the amount they use these devices multifold as thermostat numbers creep to extremes. How and why is this happening, and what can you do? Increased Electricity Demand and Generation Air conditioning is responsible for 3% … Continue reading Blog by Ellie Gabel: The Feedback Loop: How Increased Air Conditioning Use Is Accelerating Climate Change
Category: buildings
Energy in Demand News, June 8-9, 2025
Global energy investment is set to increase in 2025 to a record $3.3 trillion despite headwinds from elevated geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, a new IEA report says. Clean energy technologies will attract twice as much capital as fossil fuels. Investment in clean technologies – renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, low-emissions fuels, efficiency and electrification – is on … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 8-9, 2025
Vast majority of new homes in England must have solar panels
Ministers in the UK are poised to confirm that the “vast majority” of new build homes in England will need to have solar panels on their roofs, claiming the policy will cut household energy bills. Leila Nathoo and Christina McSorley discuss latest developments in an article on the BBC News website. Most new build … Continue reading Vast majority of new homes in England must have solar panels
Energy in Demand News, May 25-26, 2025
While there has been more environmental reporting, there have also been more academic studies that prove that there are serious grounds for doubt about the published environmental results. A Financial Times newsletter refers to one draft paper from King’s College London that uses data from Climate Trace, an open-access initiative that takes inputs from more … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 25-26, 2025
Builders are harnessing the power of AI to make the construction industry more efficient and sustainable
We are reading about how artificial intelligence is having a major impact on our economies and virtually everything these days. Sara Harowitz writes on the National Observer website how AI is being used in the Canadian construction industry. She adds that AI brings its own challenges. What is your experience with AI? How robots … Continue reading Builders are harnessing the power of AI to make the construction industry more efficient and sustainable
Energy in Demand News, May 18-19, 2025
In an article about the paradox of climate adaptation spending, a Financial Times newsletter says that many global companies recognise the seriousness of climate-related risks to their business, with 66% of the EU businesses polled confirming that they face threats from the physical impacts of climate change. But, according to the survey last year by … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 18-19, 2025
How efficient are UK homes?
A new study discussed on the Property Reporter website has found that more than half of UK homes have an EPC rating of D or below. The analysts decided to look into data on home EPC ratings to distinguish what the average is, which of the most populated UK areas are the most energy efficient … Continue reading How efficient are UK homes?
Energy in Demand News, April 6-7, 2025
Let’s start this early spring week with some background music for you to enjoy reading this week’s newsletter. Everyone is still trying to come to grips with the “Liberation Day” tariffs that we’ve all been saddled with. The Guardian reports that there have been some exceptions. “Trump’s new 10% universal tariffs – which are higher … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 6-7, 2025
Blog by Ellie Gabel – Passive cooling strategies: designing buildings for natural temperature regulation
With global temperatures rising and many facing rising energy costs, you may have noticed an increasing demand for buildings featuring passive cooling capabilities. What are some of the essential considerations and tips for creating them? Understand the Effects of the Surrounding Environment Experts know something as seemingly insignificant as a large tree limiting the sunlight … Continue reading Blog by Ellie Gabel – Passive cooling strategies: designing buildings for natural temperature regulation
Energy in Demand News, March 9-10, 2025
Brazil will host COP 30 of the UNFCCC, the world’s most important climate talks in November this year in the Amazon port of Belém. Quoted in the Financial Times (behind a paywall), Marina Silva, Brazil’s environment minister, said: “It is clear that the withdrawal of the Paris agreement of the world’s second-largest emitter, the world’s … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 9-10, 2025
