How climate change could upend the American dream

Americans have long accumulated wealth by owning their homes, but a new study predicts that spiking insurance rates and climate disasters now herald an era of widespread losses. Andrea Riquier discusses the new study in an article on the USA TODAY website   Climate risk will take trillion-dollar bite out of America’s real estate As … Continue reading How climate change could upend the American dream

New EEA report on progress towards greater sustainability of Europe’s maritime sector

Europe’s maritime sector is making progress towards greater sustainability but will need to increase its efforts over the coming years to meet EU climate and environment goals aimed at reducing energy use, pollution, and GHG emissions as well as better protecting biodiversity. That is according to the second edition of the European Maritime Transport Environmental … Continue reading New EEA report on progress towards greater sustainability of Europe’s maritime sector

It’s not clear that Heathrow Airport expansion can fit within the UK’s legal and arguably moral requirement to cut emissions and remain within its carbon budget

Richard Sulley, Senior Research Fellow, Sustainability Policy, University of Sheffield writes on The Conversation website about the impact of expanding the UK’s largest airport on government commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Since this was published, the UK government has given the green light to the construction of the third runway at Heathrow with considerable mixed … Continue reading It’s not clear that Heathrow Airport expansion can fit within the UK’s legal and arguably moral requirement to cut emissions and remain within its carbon budget

Energy consumption is only one part of AI’s broader environmental impact

In an article on The Conversation website, Hamish van der Ven, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Business Management of Natural Resources, University of British Columbia, argues that social and political mediums through which AI affects the planet are far more insidious and, arguably, more consequential for the future of humanity.   AI is bad for the … Continue reading Energy consumption is only one part of AI’s broader environmental impact

Energy in Demand News, January 26, 2025

Apart from watching what is going on in Washington DC , our attention has understandably focused again this week on the devastation in the Los Angeles area from the continuing wildfires. The total area affected was recently estimated at more than 16,000 hectares and it is going to take years and a lot of money … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 26, 2025

AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape

Ginelle Greene-Dewasmes, Initiatives Lead, Artificial Intelligence and Energy, World Economic Forum and Thapelo Tladi, Lead, Energy Initiatives, World Economic Forum write on the WEF website about AI’s opportunities and challenges. What are your views?   AI's energy dilemma: Challenges, opportunities, and a path forward The energy demand of data centres, including hyper-scale facilities and micro … Continue reading AI presents opportunities and challenges in the energy landscape

AI poses a potential sustainability problem, but can it also be the solution?

In an article on the Data Center Dynamics website, Stephen Magennis argues that AI-driven systems that predict, adapt, and optimise data center resources are leading the way, showing that it’s possible to meet the world’s growing demand for data while working towards a greener future. Mr. Magennis is from Expleo, a global engineering, technology and … Continue reading AI poses a potential sustainability problem, but can it also be the solution?

The environmental benefits from the world’s tallest bridge in France shows how transport infrastructure policy can have a direct impact on decarbonisation

In an article on The Conversation website, Florimond Gueniat, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Birmingham City University discusses the environmental benefits of the Millau Viaduct in the south of France.   How the world’s tallest bridge saves thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions Measured from ground level to the top of its highest tower, the … Continue reading The environmental benefits from the world’s tallest bridge in France shows how transport infrastructure policy can have a direct impact on decarbonisation

Energy in Demand News, January 12, 2025

The devastation from the wildfires in the Los Angeles area is a human tragedy beyond belief. It only adds to those who are suffering  globally from droughts, floods and other climate-related disasters. An article on the Financial Times (behind a paywall) counts the cost from catastrophes in 2024. “Hurricanes, fires and other disasters caused $320bn … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 12, 2025

France’s energy transition: “The fact that emissions are on the rise again should be an electroshock for this new government”

Audrey Garric writes on the Le Monde website about latest developments in France’s energy transition. GHG emissions rose again in the third quarter of 2024. Other indicators are in the red, such as the pace of energy retrofits and vehicle electrification.   The green transition: Is France veering off course? It's probably not the Christmas … Continue reading France’s energy transition: “The fact that emissions are on the rise again should be an electroshock for this new government”