Putting climate change in perspective

Risk’ analyses largely ignore the dangers of the climate crisis. In an opinion column on the Guardian website, Anatol Lieven argues that unless we wake up to them, they will soon outweigh all others. Anatol Lieven is director of the Eurasia programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington DC.   I’ve studied … Continue reading Putting climate change in perspective

Energy in Demand News, September 15, 2024

The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union proposes to exempt aviation and shipping from fuel tax for the next 20 years, according to Transport and Energy, Europe’s leading advocate for clean transport and energy. In an article posted on the eceee website, Transport and Energy says the Hungarian Presidency has put forward … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 15, 2024

Legislation makes it illegal in The Hague to advertise fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprint

Legislation passed this week spells the end of publicly and privately funded advertising for petrol and diesel, aviation and cruise ships in the streets of the Dutch city, including on billboards and bus shelters. It takes effect from the start of next year. Isabella Kaminski discusses the developments in an article on the Guardian website. … Continue reading Legislation makes it illegal in The Hague to advertise fossil fuel products and services with a high carbon footprint

The Earth Commission says hope lies in sustainable lifestyles, a radical transformation of global politics and fair distribution of resources

New research published this week in The Lancet Planetary Health shows that the planet will only remain able to provide even a basic standard of living for everyone in the future if economic systems and technologies are dramatically transformed and critical resources are more fairly used, managed and shared. Jonathan Watts discusses the report in … Continue reading The Earth Commission says hope lies in sustainable lifestyles, a radical transformation of global politics and fair distribution of resources

Energy in Demand News, September 8, 2024

The new academic year is now upon us. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) discusses a new study that raises concerns about university ties to the fossil fuel sector. The study provides the first review of research looking at the sector’s extensive role in higher education. It draws from nearly three dozen reports on how … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 8, 2024

Storylines could transform the way organisations understand and report their exposure to climate risk

The importance of ‘narratives’ to paint a picture of our future climate to help us make decisions are explained in an article on The Conversation website by Tanya Fiedler, Scientia Senior Lecturer (Climate Accounting) UNSW Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney; Andy Pitman, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, … Continue reading Storylines could transform the way organisations understand and report their exposure to climate risk

Simple steps that cities can also slow the pace of urban heat island-driven warming trends – learning from ancient Rome

In an article on The Conversation website, Brian Stone Jr., Professor of Environmental Planning, Georgia Institute of Technology explains the importance of taking measures to counter extreme heat in cities.   Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect – how history’s lessons apply to cities today As intense heat breaks records … Continue reading Simple steps that cities can also slow the pace of urban heat island-driven warming trends – learning from ancient Rome

Adaptation or mitigation? It’s a false choice — we need both

Natural disasters due to climate change are sadly becoming a regular occurrence in Canada. The forest fires in the north are causing endless problems and there is no end in sight. In an article on the CBC News website, Aaron Wherry argues that urgent action is needed. While this is an example from Canada, many … Continue reading Adaptation or mitigation? It’s a false choice — we need both

Our energy and climate transition: au revoir Paris

In an excellent article on The Conversation website, James Dyke, Associate Professor in Earth System Science, University of Exeter; Robert Watson, Emeritus Professor in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia; Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University warn us that the time has come for us to leap.   The … Continue reading Our energy and climate transition: au revoir Paris

The impact of Africa’s growth on global carbon targets is likely to be low, especially in the short term

In an article on The Conversation website, Daniel M. Kammen, Professor of Energy, University of California, Berkeley and Oluwagbemisola Deborah Akinsipe, PhD Candidate in the Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley discuss their research into analysing how Africa’s growth could potentially affect efforts to reduce global warming or mitigate climate change.   African … Continue reading The impact of Africa’s growth on global carbon targets is likely to be low, especially in the short term