Reaching net zero emissions across the economy is a technological and social challenge we must approach head-on

Katherine Woodthorpe, president of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering writes on the Guardian website, providing an important message that every year we delay rapidly reducing our emissions creates a more dangerous and less prosperous world.   Falling short of ambitious emissions targets isn’t failure – but rushing towards 2C of heating is … Continue reading Reaching net zero emissions across the economy is a technological and social challenge we must approach head-on →

Climate change is affecting wine producers everywhere but farmers producing prosecco in Italy have been plunged into crisis mode

In an article by Ajit Niranjan on the Guardian website, farmers and researchers tell of the impact of a rapidly changing climate, and the measures being taken to adapt.   From parched earth to landslides: crisis in the prosecco hills of Italy Paola Ferraro marches through the neat grids of vines that chequer the slopes … Continue reading Climate change is affecting wine producers everywhere but farmers producing prosecco in Italy have been plunged into crisis mode →

“Misinformation about climate science that has sowed uncertainty”

In an article on The Conversation website, Gordon McBean, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography and Environment, Western University in Canada writes about the misinformation from the oil and gas industry that is continuing to have a negative impact on effectively addressing climate change.   The oil and gas industry has been lying about global warming … Continue reading “Misinformation about climate science that has sowed uncertainty” →

Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024

With elections for the European Parliament approaching on June 6-9, predictions are for a surge of right wing parties and a consequent erosion of the climate and energy agenda.  According to The Economist election tracker, “the environment, including terms such as “climate change”, is a hot topic on the continent’s fringes: it’s most often searched … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 26, 2024 →

Global climate policy and action plans also largely fail to speak to gender and childhood vulnerabilities

In an article on The Conversation website, Grace M. Jaramillo, Lecturer, School of Global and International Affairs, University of British Columbia discusses gender and childhood issues that are impacted on climate policy. Importantly, Dr. Jaramillo led a team of student researchers to do relevant field research in the Dominican Republic to better understand the issues. … Continue reading Global climate policy and action plans also largely fail to speak to gender and childhood vulnerabilities →

Is London ready to be a “sponge city”?

A sponge city, according to Wikipedia,  is a new urban planning model in China that emphasizes flood management via strengthening green infrastructures instead of purely relying on drainage systems. Jacob Evans writes on the BBC News website whether London should become one. What are your views? What about other cities? Would yours be a candidate? … Continue reading Is London ready to be a “sponge city”? →

New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years

Climate-related disasters cost Europe more than €77 billion last year, according to a new report. But costs can be lowered with better data and financing strategies. David Keating discusses warnings from the World Bank about Europe’s preparedness in an article on the Euractiv website.   Europe unprepared for climate disaster, warns World Bank A series … Continue reading New reports paint a troubling picture of Europe’s readiness to handle the effects of climate change over the coming years →

Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024

It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024 →

Researchers tracking the link between climate change and health say the adverse impacts are far-reaching

A new report in the Lancet has found that warming temperatures in Europe have far reaching impacts on health. Verity Bowman discusses the report in an article on the Telegraph website.   ‘Climate change is here and it kills’: Heat-related deaths rise by 30pc in Europe, says Lancet New diseases are spreading, the hayfever season … Continue reading Researchers tracking the link between climate change and health say the adverse impacts are far-reaching →

Comment on new report showing global economy is consuming ever more natural resources, while the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals

The International Resource Panel (IRP) of UNEP has just published a report Global Resources Outlook 2024. One of the authors Anders Wijkman, a member of the IRP,  an honorary president of the Club of Rome and a friend of EiD has written this commentary on the report in an article on the Reuters website. What … Continue reading Comment on new report showing global economy is consuming ever more natural resources, while the world is not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals →