Shale gas and US climate change policy

There has been much written on the shale gas revolution in the US. The reaction globally borders between horror and envy. This article by Eric Reguly of Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper is important for providing a good analysis of what this shale gas brings to Obama’s climate change policy ambitions. No doubt it still … Continue reading Shale gas and US climate change policy →

Concern about emissions trading scheme affecting the impact of renewables

Damian Carrington writes in the Guardian about the effects of an oversupply of carbon permits in the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) on other efforts to cut carbon emissions. EU emissions trading scheme 'set to cancel out renewable energy gains' Deep problems in Europe’s carbon trading scheme – its flagship climate change policy … Continue reading Concern about emissions trading scheme affecting the impact of renewables →

UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions

Roger Harrabin writes on the BBC website about warnings that the UK will not meet its climate change targets. This is somewhat surprising given that the UK showed such confidence that achieving the climate change targets were not in doubt. UK given carbon emissions warning The UK is not on track to hit its … Continue reading UK struggling to reduce carbon emissions →

China taking more action to address air pollution

Keith Bradsher reports in the New York Times that the Chinese cabinet recently approved new measures to tackle the increasing problem of air pollution. China Sets New Rules Aimed at Curbing Air Pollution China’s cabinet has adopted 10 measures to improve air quality in the latest move aimed at responding to the dense smog … Continue reading China taking more action to address air pollution →

Need to reconsider our use of coal

We know that coal is not a sustainable energy source but it is still widely used, even in Europe. John Vidal writes in the Guardian about the serious impact coal pollution is having on health today in Europe. Interestingly, the Toronto Star reports that Ontario coal plants emit arsenic and chromium (which cause cancer); sulphur … Continue reading Need to reconsider our use of coal →

Cities in Canada also looking at sustainable energy

Larry Pynn writes in the Vancouver Sun about a new study that shows that cities would benefit by taking a sustainable energy approach. It is good to see how cities globally are playing and increasingly important role. Cities would benefit from national energy strategy based on renewable energy: Columbia Institute Canadian municipalities struggling with … Continue reading Cities in Canada also looking at sustainable energy →

Can energy efficiency play a major role in addressing climate change?

The Breakthrough Institute argues that while energy efficiency offers a tantalising promise of a win-win for both the environment and the economy, there is a growing number of economists and energy analysts caution against overestimating their energy and carbon savings potential and that it is time to rethink the place energy efficiency has taken in … Continue reading Can energy efficiency play a major role in addressing climate change? →

The role of insurance in climate change strategies will only grow.

Eduardo Porter wrote recently in the New York Times about the role of insurers in natural disasters which are increasingly being attributed in part to climate change. For Insurers, No Doubts on Climate Change Damage in Mantoloking, N.J., after Hurricane Sandy. Natural disasters caused $35 billion in private property losses last year. If there were … Continue reading The role of insurance in climate change strategies will only grow. →

Clean energy in Europe faces the market

Stanley Reed wrote in the New York Times about some of the pressing market issues facing the clean energy transition in Europe. As the article ends, “Sounding the alarm about greenhouse gases and global warming is fine, but money is required to do something about the problem. And it is not likely to be forthcoming … Continue reading Clean energy in Europe faces the market →

Los Angeles and Paris are taking lead on monitoring GHG emissions

The Washington Post published an Associated Press article on the monitoring underway in Los Angeles and Paris for GHG emissions. It is possible this approach will extend to other cities. Watch your breath megacities: Project aims to track greenhouse gases from LA, Paris Every time Los Angeles exhales, odd-looking gadgets anchored in the mountains above … Continue reading Los Angeles and Paris are taking lead on monitoring GHG emissions →