Accountability from below: how Ghanaian communities are holding extractive companies to account

In an article on The Conversation website, Cynthia Kwakyewah, Course Director in Social Science, York University, Canada discusses the strategies that activists in Ghana are using to push the state to act against violating their rights. Activists in Ghana are forcing extractive firms to account for the harm they cause – corporate abuse study … Continue reading Accountability from below: how Ghanaian communities are holding extractive companies to account →

From ecofatigue to action: how art and science together can cut plastic waste

Ian Williams, Professor of Applied Environmental Science, University of Southampton writes on The Conversation website in novel ways to deal with plastic waste. How scientists and artists can collaborate to cut through ‘ecofatigue’ and inspire positive action Pairing scientists with an artist-in-residence can cut through “ecofatigue” (feelings of overwhelm or exhaustion about environment issues … Continue reading From ecofatigue to action: how art and science together can cut plastic waste →

Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026

There is mixed news on climate-related philanthropy this week. Michael Bloomberg’s donations on climate action have topped $3 billion over a decade, “including a recent boost to contributions to the UN’s climate body, as broader financial support slides in the Trump era,” reports the Financial Times. “The 83-year-old pledged nearly $270mn to two climate initiatives … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026 →

Vienna’s radical parking reform: fewer cars, more green space

Conscious of reaching climate goals and strapped for space, some cities are reconsidering how much they dedicate to parking. Dave Braneck writes on the Deutsche Welle website how Austria's capital, Vienna, is streets ahead. Vienna swaps parking for green space Anyone who has had the displeasure of finding a parking spot in a major … Continue reading Vienna’s radical parking reform: fewer cars, more green space →

Britain’s buried climate security warning

In an article on The Conversation website, Marc Hudson, Visiting Fellow, SPRU, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex, discusses how the British government cancelled a briefing that assessed how environmental degradation could affect UK national security. A UK climate security report backed by the intelligence services was quietly buried – a pattern … Continue reading Britain’s buried climate security warning →

Energy in Demand News, February 1-2, 2026

Prof. Steve Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Energy Policy, University of Greenwich wrote in a letter to the editor published in the Financial Times this week about the impact small modular reactors (SMRs) to be a major source of low-carbon energy. He questions the length of time to build SMRs. Even new ones in Russia have … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 1-2, 2026 →

Cold as a weapon: why Russia is targeting Ukraine’s heating system

Pauline Sophie Heinrichs, Lecturer in War Studies, Climate and Energy Security, King's College London writes on The Conversation website about how Russia is benefiting from a detailed understanding of Ukraine infrastructure in its targeting of attacks. Russian knowledge of Soviet-era energy systems has helped it to target Ukraine’s heating and homes In the middle … Continue reading Cold as a weapon: why Russia is targeting Ukraine’s heating system →

What happens when we stop putting a price on clean air?

In an article on The Conversation website, Jenni Shearston, Assistant Professor of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, discusses the impact of air pollution to our health and well-being. Shearston questions why the US has recently stopped estimating the dollar value of lives saved in the cost-benefit analyses for new pollution rules. The New York … Continue reading What happens when we stop putting a price on clean air? →

New European Investment Bank report – Bridging opportunity gaps: EIB Group investments in education, health and housing

Europe’s social model is a global benchmark for well-being, but demographic ageing, the green and digital transitions, and recurring economic shocks are putting it under strain. Sustaining progress will require smart, efficient social investment that mobilises public and private resources. This report looks at how the EIB Group is responding to these challenges by financing … Continue reading New European Investment Bank report – Bridging opportunity gaps: EIB Group investments in education, health and housing →

While AI uses a lot of energy, it can also make systems cleaner and smarter

Nir Kshetri, Professor of Management, University of North Carolina – Greensboro, writes on The Conversation website that the positive benefits from AI almost certainly will be much more important than the negative ones when it comes to improving the environment. Despite its steep environmental costs, AI might also help save the planet The rapid growth … Continue reading While AI uses a lot of energy, it can also make systems cleaner and smarter →