Meeting Hannah Ritchie: the ‘techno-realist’ discusses climate change

In an article on the CBC News website, Sheena Goodyear interviews Hannah Ritchie, a University of Oxford data and environmental scientist, who calls for ‘urgent optimism’ in her newly published book Not The End of the World.   This scientist was paralyzed by the threat of climate change. How she found hope It's hard to … Continue reading Meeting Hannah Ritchie: the ‘techno-realist’ discusses climate change →

Climate activism – “there is a method to the seeming madness”

In an article on The Conversation website, Shannon Gibson, Associate Professor of International Relations and Environmental Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences writes about the “wild ride” climate activism has been on lately.   From throwing soup to suing governments, there’s strategy to climate activism’s seeming chaos − here’s where it’s headed … Continue reading Climate activism – “there is a method to the seeming madness” →

Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024

This week the European Commission will propose the new level of ambition for GHG emissions reductions it considers necessary for 2040. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) notes that the EU’s climate chief, Wopke Hoekstra, “has warned the bloc must not be lured into a “false narrative” that action against global warming is undermining the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024 →

Shortfalls in climate monitoring leave informal settlements dangerously vulnerable to rising humid heat

Poor weather station coverage across the tropics leads to underestimates of heat stress in cities. This means global climate change assessments probably overlook the local impacts on people. In an article on The Conversation website, Emma Ramsay, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University, and Research Affiliate, School of Biological Sciences at Australia’s Monash University, discusses … Continue reading Shortfalls in climate monitoring leave informal settlements dangerously vulnerable to rising humid heat →

Norway’s district court in Oslo recently made a decision on fossil fuels that compels energy firms to account for the industry’s entire carbon footprint

In an article on The Conversation website, Daria Shapovalova, Senior Lecturer in Energy Law, University of Aberdeen writes about a recent court ruling in Norway that requires energy companies seeking oil and gas licenses to consider scope 3 emissions.   Oil firms forced to consider full climate effects of new drilling, following landmark Norwegian court … Continue reading Norway’s district court in Oslo recently made a decision on fossil fuels that compels energy firms to account for the industry’s entire carbon footprint →

Energy in Demand News, January 28, 2024

There is encouraging good news that carbon emissions dropped in the EU in 2023. The Guardian reported on analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) showing that the EU “pumped out 8% less carbon dioxide from the fossil fuels it burned in 2023 than it did in 2022.”  Crea analyst … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 28, 2024 →

Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated

Matthew Taylor writes on the Guardian website about a recent study that shows pollution at Canada’s tar sands vastly exceeds industry-reported levels.   Canadian tar sands pollution is up to 6,300% higher than reported, study finds Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands – already one of the dirtiest fossil fuels – have been dramatically … Continue reading Toxic emissions from the Canadian tar sands have been dramatically underestimated →

Not all carbon-capture projects offer the same economic and environmental benefits

Volker Sick, Professor of Advanced Energy Research, Director of the Global CO2 Initiative at the University of Michigan writes on The Conversation website about the pros and cons of carbon-capture projects. What are your views?   Not all carbon-capture projects pay off for the climate – we mapped the pros and cons of each and … Continue reading Not all carbon-capture projects offer the same economic and environmental benefits →

“Women continue to drive ambitious climate action more than everywhere”

Cheryl McNamara, a Canadian human and ecological rights activist and playwright, writes on the National Observer website about the work of women-led grassroots organisations that are critical players in peace and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.   Women do the sustainability heavy lifting worldwide Two weeks before the 28th UN climate change conference (COP28) kicked … Continue reading “Women continue to drive ambitious climate action more than everywhere” →

Energy in Demand News, January 21, 2024

The EU taxonomy is a cornerstone of the EU’s sustainable finance framework and an important market transparency tool. It is designed to help direct investments to the economic activities most needed for the transition, in line with the European Green Deal objectives. Controversially, nuclear and gas activities are included, prompting legal challenges by some NGOs … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 21, 2024 →