Lesson on contacting politicians about climate change

Seth Wynes, Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University in Montreal discusses in an article on The Conversation website about what works most effectively in contacting your local politician. This comes from Canada but may also apply to your country. What approach has been most effective for you? … Continue reading Lesson on contacting politicians about climate change →

New analysis shows the cost of achieving carbon neutrality in Germany

Germany wants to be carbon neutral by 2045. Restructuring its economy will cost trillions. But not investing the money would cost even more. Tim Schauenberg discusses the costs in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. This is obviously an area that the incoming Chancellor will have to deal with – urgently. What climate … Continue reading New analysis shows the cost of achieving carbon neutrality in Germany →

“No regrets” revisited

Energy conservation through improved efficiency has been seen as an important long-term policy tool since the first oil crises in the 1970s. The International Energy Agency (IEA) realised that improved energy efficiency could not be a short-term solution in a crisis so it ensured that energy efficiency policies took a longer-term perspective. In 1987, the … Continue reading “No regrets” revisited →

What does net-zero emissions actually mean?

Amrou Awaysheh, Assistant Professor of Operations Management and Executive Director, Business Sustainability Lab at Indiana University explains in an article on The Conversation website what “net-zero” actually means and why it matters. More companies pledge ‘net-zero’ emissions to fight climate change, but what does that really mean? You’ll probably hear the term “net-zero emissions” a … Continue reading What does net-zero emissions actually mean? →

Negotiators at COP26 will finalise plans for the global stocktake, taking a look at the collective progress the world’s nations have made on climate action

To achieve any goal, targets must be set and progress measured. This is equally true for measuring progress on the Paris climate agreement. Steven Lam from the University of Guelph, Sherilee Harper from the University of Alberta and Warren Dodd from the University of Waterloo write on The Conversation website about how the progress will … Continue reading Negotiators at COP26 will finalise plans for the global stocktake, taking a look at the collective progress the world’s nations have made on climate action →

At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change

Sudbury, Ontario was an environmental disaster with its nickel and copper mines and smelters. INCO (now Vale) in Sudbury was the world’s largest nickel producer at one time and was the subject of my master’s thesis. Nadia Mykytczuk, Interim CEO/President of MIRARCO at Laurentian University writes on The Conversation website about the transformation of the … Continue reading At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change →

Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package

In July the European Commission adopted a package of proposals – called the Fit for 55 package – to make the EU’s climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net GHG emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. As the Commission states, achieving these emission reductions in … Continue reading Industry and Europe’s “Fit for 55” package →

Many Australians feel frustration at the refusal of their government to “turn around” to face what’s clear to everyone else, a galloping climate emergency

It was not that long ago that the world looked on in horror at the disastrous fires in Australia. How much was related to climate change? Does it matter. As the evidence has accumulated, and the new IPCC report reinforces it, Australia has carved out a name for itself as a global laggard. Mark Kenny, … Continue reading Many Australians feel frustration at the refusal of their government to “turn around” to face what’s clear to everyone else, a galloping climate emergency →

It is through the tidal wave of climate litigation that citizens themselves can trigger rapid decarbonisation — and avert catastrophic global heating

Another IPCC report, another dire warning. Yet world leaders and big polluters are doing little to reduce emissions. Deutsche Welle’s Stuart Braun says climate litigation could be the only way out. Opinion: Court action could be vital as IPCC confirms climate emergency After a month of unprecedented flooding and wildfires in Europe, it isn't surprising … Continue reading It is through the tidal wave of climate litigation that citizens themselves can trigger rapid decarbonisation — and avert catastrophic global heating →

Reaction to IPCC report – “This is not “climate alarmism”. It is, as far as experts can ascertain, fact”

Keith Baker, Researcher in Fuel Poverty and Energy Policy, Built Environment Asset Management Centre at Glasgow Caledonian University explains in an article on The Conversation website that the world has consistently failed to agree and enact concrete actions in response to date, but the stark reality is that we need to focus on actions. … Continue reading Reaction to IPCC report – “This is not “climate alarmism”. It is, as far as experts can ascertain, fact” →