That question animates Dr. Ann-Christine Duhaime’s new book, “Minding the Climate: How Neuroscience Can Help Solve Our Environmental Crisis,” published by Harvard University Press. A neurosurgeon explores how our tendency to prioritise short-term consumer pleasures spurs climate change, but also how the brain’s amazing capacity for flexibility can—and likely will—enable us to prioritise the long-term … Continue reading “Why can’t we do what we need to do to stop destroying our planet while we still have the chance?”
Category: consumers
“It’s easier to save energy when you can see the energy you’re using”
In an article in the November/December issue of Energy in Business & Industry magazine, Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, questions quite how successful attempts to use the residential smart metering system to alter demand peaks this winter can possibly be. There is no longer any requirement for an energy company to … Continue reading “It’s easier to save energy when you can see the energy you’re using”
A citizens panel learned how to eliminate carbon emissions from homes and helped design solutions they thought would work for owner-occupiers
Jacob Ainscough, Senior Research Associate in Environmental Governance, Lancaster University and Rebecca Willis, Professor in Energy and Climate Governance, Lancaster Environment Centre at Lancaster University write on The Conversation website about the views of tenants in a study they undertook. A panel was set up. Participants spent 25 hours over seven sessions, both online and … Continue reading A citizens panel learned how to eliminate carbon emissions from homes and helped design solutions they thought would work for owner-occupiers
By placing sensors within a home, energy efficiency can be measured in the same way as energy generation
We all know that our policies and programmes need more data of actual energy performance. Om an article on the Architecture Today website, Matthew Prowse, Specification and Housing Director for Knauf Insulation, discusses how homes being designed today can prepare for the imminent shift to measured ‘in-use’ energy performance. Measured energy efficiency is coming, … Continue reading By placing sensors within a home, energy efficiency can be measured in the same way as energy generation
Injecting humour into a serious topic like climate change helps get the message across to a broad audience
Climate change is no laughing matter, but these artists are exploring dark ideas in meaningful and humorous ways. Alistair Walsh explores how cartoonists deal with climate change in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Cartoonists tackling climate change through webcomics The thermometer was touching 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in the central Indian city … Continue reading Injecting humour into a serious topic like climate change helps get the message across to a broad audience
Spanish utility implements ambitious, personalised information campaign
Through intelligent algorithms, a Spanish utility will produce 90 million communications with personalised advice for an information campaign to help households reduce energy consumption and save on bills. Yusuf Latief discusses the campaign on the Smart Energy International website. Iberdrola’s information campaign to spur 11mn customers to reduce energy use Iberdrola launched the information … Continue reading Spanish utility implements ambitious, personalised information campaign
Blog from Erik Gudbjerg: High energy cost leads to new habits, they can also reduce global warming
The Danes' energy supply has been hit by the perfect storm at the moment. Together with the rest of Europe, we want to reduce our dependence on Russian energy so that Russia has a harder time financing their war against Ukraine. However, although huge savings and shifts to other forms of energy have already been … Continue reading Blog from Erik Gudbjerg: High energy cost leads to new habits, they can also reduce global warming
A social tariff has shielded eligible households in Belgium from price fluctuations since 2002
While governments focus on how to protect consumers from escalating energy prices, Belgium shows an important way forward. Since 2002, eligible households have been shielded from price fluctuations in the energy market. People don’t have to struggle. Carl Packman discusses the approach taken by Belgium in an article on The Guardian website. There is … Continue reading A social tariff has shielded eligible households in Belgium from price fluctuations since 2002
A Harvard report published Tuesday highlights rampant greenwashing by leading companies on social media
An AFP news item on the France 24 website discusses a report commissioned by Greenpeace Netherlands that analysed the text and images of 2,300 posts by 22 of Europe's largest carmakers, fossil fuel producers and airlines this June and July. Two-thirds of companies' social media posts painted a "green innovation" sheen on their operations, the … Continue reading A Harvard report published Tuesday highlights rampant greenwashing by leading companies on social media
UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis
While the UK government on Friday announced an additional £1bn for energy efficiency obligations under new legislation, to begin from April 2023, undoubtedly the main focus of the new government is to increase energy supplies (yes, with a cap on consumer prices), largely of fossil fuels including fracking. The energy crisis is currently with us … Continue reading UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 