Reflecting on last week’s G20 summit

The G20 is an increasingly important international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. This year, the G20 was hosted by Germany and the final summit was held in Hamburg. Natalie Muller from Deutsche Welle interviewed a climate expert on his views, following the US decision to not agree to … Continue reading Reflecting on last week’s G20 summit →

More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems

It is encouraging to see the actions at the local level to address climate change. The Paris climate conference was valuable in raising the awareness of the challenge we face. Luc Soete, Professorial Fellow at United Nations University writes a good account of these activities in an article on The Conversation website. Cities rally … Continue reading More evidence of important role of local governments to address global problems →

New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change

It is encouraging to see how local governments everywhere are taking more direct action to address climate change. Many see the other benefits such as improved air quality. The US Conference of Mayors has recently undertaken a survey of cities throughout the country. A summary of results is available on the globenewswire website. Survey finds … Continue reading New survey shows how local governments in US are addressing climate change →

New report raises many issues related to the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use

Richard Howard, Director of Development & Head of Environment & Energy at the Policy Exchange writes on their website about a new report that he co-authored. The report argues that the Government needs to take more coordinated and assertive action to address the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use. However, … Continue reading New report raises many issues related to the twin problems of carbon emissions and air pollution from road use →

A social psychologist’s view on Trump and climate change

In recent weeks, we have seen the Trump administration take quite a negative approach to obligations under the Paris climate agreement. Matthew Adams Principal Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Brighton provides an interesting article on The Conversation website, from a different perspective. Trump's climate policy may backfire, as he unwittingly plays an … Continue reading A social psychologist’s view on Trump and climate change →

New analysis shows planting trees has limited impact on carbon emissions

Some global GHG mitigation strategies are going to have to be revised. Bob McDonald writes on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation website about a new study that refutes the benefits of planting trees. This seems to imply that sustainable energy is going to have to play an even greater role. Planting trees can't counter carbon … Continue reading New analysis shows planting trees has limited impact on carbon emissions →

What is happening to America’s climate and energy policies?

With the Trump administration’s budget proposals, we are seeing some dramatic cuts in agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Yes, the EU and the G7 are trying to get Trump to reverse his position on climate change but how that gets resolved is hard to know at this point. … Continue reading What is happening to America’s climate and energy policies? →

New OECD publication on climate resilient infrastructure

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently “Climate-resilient Infrastructure: Getting the Policies Right”. Climate change will affect all types of infrastructure, including energy, transport and water. Rising temperatures, increased flood risk and other potential hazards will threaten the reliable and efficient operation of these networks, with potentially large economic and social impacts. … Continue reading New OECD publication on climate resilient infrastructure →

We can take some time to reflect, but we must act soon

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) has recently published a study that shows that we cannot waste any more time on addressing climate change. Our actions must achieve impact now if we are to achieve our Paris climate achievements. This article from IIASA was on the EurekAlert website. Next 10 years critical … Continue reading We can take some time to reflect, but we must act soon →

Addressing global water shortages

We are always looking at innovative ways to address climate change concerns. Chelsea Harvey writes in the Washington Post about a new water-capturing device that works even in some of the world’s driest places. This device pulls drinking water straight out of the air — and it runs entirely on the sun’s energy A … Continue reading Addressing global water shortages →