What can we learn from Immanuel Kant about navigating today’s multiple crises?

In an article on The Conversation website, Rafael Ziegler, Professor, Department of Management, HEC Montréal explains what we can learn in addressing climate change and other crises from the teachings of Immanuel Kant.   Freedom in an age of climate crisis and trade wars: Lessons from philosopher Immanuel Kant A decade ago, the majority of … Continue reading What can we learn from Immanuel Kant about navigating today’s multiple crises?

Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025

What a way to start the week. Shortly after noon on Monday April 28th, Spain’s electricity grid suddenly and unexpectedly lost 15 GW of power—equivalent to 60% of its national demand. The massive drop caused most of the country’s electricity system to shut down, followed by much of neighbouring Portugal’s. There has been much comment … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 4-5, 2025

Our energy and climate transition: are people’s minds really made up? Or are they still open to change?

In an article on The Conversation website, the authors ask many pertinent questions on our attitudes and behaviour related to addressing climate change.  The survey they undertook was in Australia. The authors are: Kelly Kirkland, Research Fellow in Psychology, The University of Queensland; Abby Robinson, PhD candidate in Social Psychology, The University of Melbourne; Amy … Continue reading Our energy and climate transition: are people’s minds really made up? Or are they still open to change?

How to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet

With the earth passing 1.5 degrees Celsius of heating in 2024, and recent natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, artists and researchers were asked for the Songlines Magazine website how to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet.   What Can Musicians and Music Lovers Do During a Climate Crisis? Charis McGowan … Continue reading How to play and enjoy music while respecting and helping the planet

The importance of leaders and other high-profile people visibly leading by example, demonstrating commitment and helping to establish new social norms

In an article on The Conversation website, Sam Hampton, Researcher, Environmental Geography, University of Oxford and Tina Fawcett, Associate Professor, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford discuss what it takes to encourage climate action. They argue that public willingness to make sacrifices for climate action is closely tied to perceptions of fairness and necessity. Furthermore … Continue reading The importance of leaders and other high-profile people visibly leading by example, demonstrating commitment and helping to establish new social norms

With global climate leadership at risk, China has the chance to step up

In an article on The Conversation website, Yixian Sun, Associate Professor in International Development, University of Bath, argues that with the US in retreat from climate action and Europe preoccupied by security challenges, new leadership is urgently needed. What are your views?   The world needs climate change leadership – it’s time for China to … Continue reading With global climate leadership at risk, China has the chance to step up

UK Opposition leader is on record as backing the need for net zero, so why is she now back-tracking on previous commitments?

In a column for the April issue of Energy in Buildings and Industry, Andrew Warren, who chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, and is a friend of EiD, analyses why Kemi Badenoch, leader has suddenly changed her views on the importance of Britain achieving its net zero emissions target, dismissing the OECD’s conclusions of how … Continue reading UK Opposition leader is on record as backing the need for net zero, so why is she now back-tracking on previous commitments?

New EEA assessment on impacts of PFAS polymers in Europe

The widespread use of PFAS polymers in everything from consumer products to green technologies can lead to contamination of water, air, soil, food and people. A European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment, published this week, says that these chemicals can also contribute to global warming and ozone depletion.   What are the impacts of PFAS polymers … Continue reading New EEA assessment on impacts of PFAS polymers in Europe

Energy in Demand News, April 27-28, 2025

This is the week that many of the world’s institutions received a lecture from the new US administration on changes that should be made. The Financial Times reports: “US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent has accused the IMF and World Bank of “mission creep”, calling for them to step back from “their sprawling and unfocused agendas” … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 27-28, 2025

America’s energy transition: “nothing in the energy world is easy these days”

Though early Trump policies have been broadly unfavorable to utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage, experts are bullish on distributed generation and flexible loads. Brian Martucci writes on the Utility Dive website about recent developments.   As Trump targets clean energy, will utilities embrace DERs and VPPs? Amid stiff headwinds for utility-scale renewables and gas, … Continue reading America’s energy transition: “nothing in the energy world is easy these days”