With the devastation of floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, forest fires and more, we know much more needs to be done to mitigate GHG emissions. Many commentators were concerned after COP28 last year that there was no sense of urgency. Read once more the comment from Fiona Harvey, published on EiD in December, on the need for … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 7, 2024
Category: environment
Many nations agree that a binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to solving the plastic pollution problem
As most of us were focussing on COP28 in Dubai, there was also much happening on plastic waste and the implications for energy consumption. In November 2023, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution met in Nairobi, Kenya, for the third negotiating round of a planned five sessions. Not that much headway was made. The … Continue reading Many nations agree that a binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to solving the plastic pollution problem
Blog by Jane Marsh: The Aviation Industry: The Largest Remaining Source of Airborne Lead Emissions
A recent endangerment finding from the EPA confirmed that airborne emissions from lead-based fuels threaten human health and public welfare. How does this long-overdue regulatory action impact flyers and the planet? Lead in Aviation Is an Overlooked Concern The EPA has been researching the public health and environmental impact of lead from aviation for years. … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh: The Aviation Industry: The Largest Remaining Source of Airborne Lead Emissions
Switzerland’s KlimaSeniorinnen “among those fighting hardest for a livable future”
Switzerland’s KlimaSeniorinnen are taking the Swiss government to the European court of human rights for doing too little to tackle the climate crisis. Ajit Niranjan writes on the Guardian website about the approach these retired women are taking to address climate change. ‘We have a responsibility’: the older women suing Switzerland to demand climate … Continue reading Switzerland’s KlimaSeniorinnen “among those fighting hardest for a livable future”
New EEA report on the EU’s 8th Environment Action Programme
The EU 8th Environment Action Programme (EAP) builds on the European Green Deal and sets the framework for EU environmental policy until 2030. Published recently, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) first monitoring report on the Programme shows that the EU may not meet most of the monitoring targets outlined in the European Commission’s 8th EAP … Continue reading New EEA report on the EU’s 8th Environment Action Programme
“Wood burning is not a solution for reaching net zero or avoiding high bills for individuals”
Experts say wood-burning is not cheaper or truly renewable and constitutes a major health risk. Gary Fuller discusses recent research in an article on the Guardian website. The health cost of burning wood to warm homes Dr Tom Smith is a wildfires scientist. His career has focused on tracking down wildland fires in savannahs and … Continue reading “Wood burning is not a solution for reaching net zero or avoiding high bills for individuals”
China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025
A Reuters news agency article by David Stanway discusses a new report that China's renewable energy sector to meet climate goals is being undermined by continued coal capacity expansion and a rapid rise in energy consumption. China's progress on renewables to meet climate goals undermined by coal expansion-research Fast growth in China's renewable energy … Continue reading China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025
New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas
Climate change’s triple impact on seas — warming waters, acidification and decreasing oxygen levels — are a major and increasing threat to Europe’s marine ecosystems. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks at main threats to Europe’s seas and points to key actions to improve the situation. Warming, acidification, dropping oxygen … Continue reading New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas
New EEA report on European air quality health assessment
Air pollution in Europe remains well above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels, posing a significant threat to our health. According to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health assessment published this week, 253,000 deaths could have been avoided in the EU if the fine particulate matter concentrations had met WHO recommendations. Exposure … Continue reading New EEA report on European air quality health assessment
New EEA briefing on benefits of nature-based climate adaptation
Nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands in flood-prone areas or green infrastructure to reduce heat island effects in cities, need to be scaled up and expanded to help Europe better cope with the impacts of climate change. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, assesses the current state of such climate adaptation projects … Continue reading New EEA briefing on benefits of nature-based climate adaptation
