Reports found many offsetting schemes do nothing to mitigate the climate crisis and biodiversity loss

Negative scientific and press reports on the efficacy of carbon credit projects has led to a ‘direct pullback in buyer investment’ in 2023. Patrick Greenfield discusses the issues in an article on the Guardian website. Market value of carbon offsets drops 61%, report finds The market for carbon offsets shrank dramatically last year, falling … Continue reading Reports found many offsetting schemes do nothing to mitigate the climate crisis and biodiversity loss →

Analysts expect the market to rapidly expand in the years ahead for ‘mass timber’

The material is touted as a way to quickly build more housing, but some builders think it's still too unproven. Paula Duhatschek discusses mass timber in an article on the CBC News website. Are any of you using or aware of mass timber? Is mass timber the next big thing in cheaper, greener construction? … Continue reading Analysts expect the market to rapidly expand in the years ahead for ‘mass timber’ →

Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all

Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment. Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, discusses the carbon footprint of ChatGPT in an article on the Guardian website. The ugly … Continue reading Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all →

Understanding how to make better energy storage devices

In an article on The Conversation website, Ankur Gupta, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder discusses what it takes to make better energy storage devices. Understanding how ions flow in and out of the tiniest pores promises better energy storage devices Modern life relies on electricity and electrical devices, … Continue reading Understanding how to make better energy storage devices →

New way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings

In an article on the BBC News website, Justin Rowlatt discusses a new way to recycle cement and massively reduce its carbon footprint. What are your views? UK breakthrough could slash emissions from cement Scientists say they've found a way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings. Cement is the modern world's most common … Continue reading New way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings →

Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024

With elections for the European Parliament approaching on June 6-9, predictions are for a surge of right wing parties and a consequent erosion of the climate and energy agenda. According to The Economist election tracker, “the environment, including terms such as “climate change”, is a hot topic on the continent’s fringes: it’s most often searched … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024 →

The latest victims of the culture wars in America: woke white goods

Emma Beddington writes on the Guardian website about the latest victim of cultural wars in America. Apparently, energy efficiency and lower electricity bills are unAmerican. What are your views? Free the fridges! Make dishwashers great again! US conservatives have odd priorities If you’ve ever wished your dishwasher used more water, or found your fridge … Continue reading The latest victims of the culture wars in America: woke white goods →

Generative AI is an energy hog

Chris Baraniuk writes on the BBC News website about the impact on electricity grids from the growth in generative AI. Electricity grids creak as AI demands soar There’s a big problem with generative AI, says Sasha Luccioni at Hugging Face, a machine-learning company. Generative AI is an energy hog. “Every time you query the … Continue reading Generative AI is an energy hog →

Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024

It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, May 12, 2024

In the energy transition governments have been losing fuel duties in the shift away from combustion engines. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) writes that, globally, policymakers are imposing new taxes on electric vehicles because last year there was a drop in receipts of $10 billion. The net loss is projected to rise to $110 … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 12, 2024 →