Hopes have grown that AI may also help humanity tackle global environmental problems such as climate change

In an article on The Conversation website, Ehsan Noroozinejad, Senior Researcher, Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University and Seyedali Mirjalili, Professor of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Business and Hospitality, Torrens University Australia  discuss how artificial intelligence can help address many of our global environmental problems.   From climate change to landfill, AI promises to … Continue reading Hopes have grown that AI may also help humanity tackle global environmental problems such as climate change

Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024

You may remember that in March 2023, the final instalment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) was published. This eight-year long undertaking from the world’s most authoritative scientific body on climate change detailed the devastating consequences of rising GHG emissions around the world — the destruction of homes, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024

New OECD report on which SMEs are greening

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) could play a pivotal role in the pursuit of climate objectives. SMEs have a significant carbon footprint on aggregate, but they can also contribute to reaching net zero through their innovations and commitment to the use of environmentally friendly practices. This study develops a novel metric to identify environmental engagement, … Continue reading New OECD report on which SMEs are greening

US Congressional investigators concluded that major oil companies had not only misled the public on climate change for decades, but also were continuing to misinform them about the industry’s preferred climate “solutions”— particularly biofuels and carbon capture

Amy Westervelt writes on the Vox website about the results of a three-year investigation that showed how the fossil fuel industry has continued to manipulate fake climate solutions that are still being promoted as the way forward to address climate change. What are your views?   Oil companies sold the public on a fake climate … Continue reading US Congressional investigators concluded that major oil companies had not only misled the public on climate change for decades, but also were continuing to misinform them about the industry’s preferred climate “solutions”— particularly biofuels and carbon capture

Sports have good reason for caring about sustainability: Olympic progress toward sustainability

In an article on The Conversation website, Brian P. McCullough, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Michigan writes about why the Paris Olympics is promoting sustainability. Given the heat this week in Paris, something has to happen to promote sustainability. Readers are encouraged to read the article written in the Guardian by Damian Carrington … Continue reading Sports have good reason for caring about sustainability: Olympic progress toward sustainability

Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction

Ciaran Varley and Dave Lockwood write on the Guardian website how the Paris Olympics are doing their best to be the greenest ever. EiD did an earlier post on the Paris Olympics in April that gives more background.   Recycled bottle tops and tables made from shuttlecocks - the greenest Olympics? The organising committee of … Continue reading Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction

Energy in Demand News, July 21, 2024

The energy transition is proving to be quite a challenge. This week, the New York Times (behind a paywall) wondered why the oil industry is booming.  High prices and growing demand have helped US oil producers take in record profits despite global efforts to spur greater use of renewable energy and electric cars. The article … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 21, 2024

High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development closed this week

In its energy update newsletter, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a summary of the meeting that just ended this week. The climate crisis was centre stage at the HLPF.   "The SDGs cannot be achieved while climate change, inequality, and conflict persist." The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development came to … Continue reading High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development closed this week

The energy giant Shell promised to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste into oil each year, but now says goal is unfeasible

Dharna Noor writes on the Guardian website about Shell’s decision to roll back on the promise to increase “advanced recycling” of plastics. The company said the walk-back was necessary due to changes in the market. Also, slow technology development has indeed been a factor in the advanced recycling market. Many feel Shell made a wise … Continue reading The energy giant Shell promised to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste into oil each year, but now says goal is unfeasible

Nearly 50 years ago an American oil company warned of climate risks

In an article on the Guardian website, Geoff Dembicki discusses how Marathon Petroleum predecessor warned of  thepotential for ‘social and economic calamities’ in a decades-old publication.   US oil company ran 1977 article predicting climate crisis could cause starvation The corporate predecessor to America’s largest refiner of oil, Marathon Petroleum, explained in a company periodical … Continue reading Nearly 50 years ago an American oil company warned of climate risks