New RAP report: The clean energy transition must be socially fair for everyone

The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) has recently published a report that the energy transition must be socially fair for everyone. If directed effectively, the transition to a clean energy system in Europe through the European Green Deal will not only limit the worst impacts of the climate crisis but will deliver Europe’s energy services at … Continue reading New RAP report: The clean energy transition must be socially fair for everyone →

Focusing on energy demand reduction clearly presents the lowest mitigation challenges and provides huge potential mitigation impacts

A team of international researchers, including scientists at the University of Leeds, have used 7,000 studies from across the globe to develop a list of the most effective changes to household consumption to cut our carbon footprints. Harry Cockburn explains in an article on The Independent website. Two years of vegan living cancelled out … Continue reading Focusing on energy demand reduction clearly presents the lowest mitigation challenges and provides huge potential mitigation impacts →

Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save

A new scientific study argues that wood pellets, considered a “carbon neutral” product may not be so neutral. Carl Meyer explains in an article on the National Observer website. Wood pellets from clear-cut, old-growth forests may not be carbon neutral Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation … Continue reading Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save →

Canada faces many challenges in its energy transition

Canada’s economy has been highly dependent on fossil fuels. It knows it has to address climate change but the way forward is very complex, and even more complicated as it addresses the coronavirus crisis. Aaron Wherry provides a good account of the issues in an article on the CBC website. This is important reading for … Continue reading Canada faces many challenges in its energy transition →

How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives

Understanding how people view their own energy consumption and how this impacts on reducing GHG emissions is crucial if we are to achieve our long-term objectives. Academic Shahzeen Attari studies the psychology behind energy use and our views of the climate problem. Chris Mooney interviewed her in an article on the Washington Post website. … Continue reading How people perceive their personal energy use and the decisions they make in their daily lives →

Tribute to one of the world’s major climate change scientists: “his was the voice that always carried real authority”

A towering figure in tackling global heating, the UK climate science pioneer Sir John Houghton has died at 88, a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. Andrew Warren, director of the Association for the Conservation of Energy between 1981 and 2014and now chair the British Energy Efficiency Federation, provides a personal tribute on the Climate News … Continue reading Tribute to one of the world’s major climate change scientists: “his was the voice that always carried real authority” →

British climate activists stuck in Kosovo because of the coronavirus pandemic, having refused evacuation flight back home

The coronavirus crisis is affecting all of us in different ways. Visar Kryeziu writes for The Associated Press on the National Newswatch website about one couple who are stuck in Kosovo because of refusing to get on an evacuation flight. What would you have done? UK climate activists stranded in historic town in Kosovo … Continue reading British climate activists stuck in Kosovo because of the coronavirus pandemic, having refused evacuation flight back home →

The European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years

According to new research by responsible investment organisation ShareAction, the European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years. The European Union institutions have been actively trying to bring in the financial institutions to play a bigger role in financing needed low-carbon energy initiatives. One is the … Continue reading The European banking sector has made sluggish progress on tackling the climate crisis in the last three years →

If there is something positive to take from this terrible crisis, it could be that it’s offered a taste of the air we might breathe in a low-carbon future

Since the virus crisis started, air quality has improved because of the drastic drop in GHG emissions. Paul Monks, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Earth Observation Science at the University of Leicester writes on The Conversation website that the pandemic could show us how the future might look with less air pollution, or it may … Continue reading If there is something positive to take from this terrible crisis, it could be that it’s offered a taste of the air we might breathe in a low-carbon future →

Strong argument for renovating homes in America’s Great Lakes region

Increasingly, arguments are being made that strategies to encourage renovation of buildings to address climate change. Nicholas Rajkovich, Assistant Professor of Architecture at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York explains in an article on The Conversation website the many benefits from renovating buildings. To protect people in the Great Lakes … Continue reading Strong argument for renovating homes in America’s Great Lakes region →