Five legal strategies to protect the environment

In an article on The Conversation website, Dana Zartner, Professor of International Studies, University of San Francisco discusses five strategies that have been developed over the past couple of decades.   How the nature of environmental law is changing in defense of the planet and the climate While the dangerous effects of climate change continue … Continue reading Five legal strategies to protect the environment

Energy in Demand News, July 13-14, 2025

Almost three-quarters of all solar and wind power projects being built globally are in China, according to a new report by Global Energy Monitor, a non-governmental organisation based in San Francisco. In its account of the report, the Financial Times notes that of the 689GW  of utility-scale solar and wind projects under construction globally, China … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 13-14, 2025

China’s energy transition: for ethnic minority communities, where they live, how they work and the cultural practices they depend on have all been shaped by state environmental policies, often without meaningful input or representation

In an article on The Conversation website, Reza Hasmath, Professor in Political Science, University of Alberta writes about the impact of China’s energy transition on its ethnic minorities.   How China’s green transition is reshaping ethnic minority communities China has emerged as a global front-runner in the fight against climate change, with sweeping policies aimed at curbing … Continue reading China’s energy transition: for ethnic minority communities, where they live, how they work and the cultural practices they depend on have all been shaped by state environmental policies, often without meaningful input or representation

New EEA assessment on key air pollutant emissions in Europe

Key air pollutant emissions targeted for reductions and monitored under EU legislation continued to decline across most EU Member States, according to the latest data assessment published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) recently. However, reducing ammonia emissions continues to present a bigger challenge.   Emissions of key air pollutants targeted for reductions in EU … Continue reading New EEA assessment on key air pollutant emissions in Europe

Many Canadian hospitals reducing GHG emissions through alternatives to traditional anaesthetic gases

Abdul Matin Sarfraz writes on the National Observer website about how many hospitals in Canada are reducing GHG emissions by eliminating desflurane to sevoflurane as an anaesthetic gas for surgical operations.   Canadian hospitals switching out anaesthetic gas for cleaner alternative At Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, the decision to stop using the common anesthetic … Continue reading Many Canadian hospitals reducing GHG emissions through alternatives to traditional anaesthetic gases

New EEA assessment looks at how prepared Europe is to handle extreme weather

With European countries facing another year of damaging heatwaves, drought and other extreme weather events, how prepared and resilient are they to handle these events? A new interactive European Environment Agency (EEA) product published this week looks at key climate change impacts and adaptation and preparedness actions.    Extreme weather in a changing climate: Is … Continue reading New EEA assessment looks at how prepared Europe is to handle extreme weather

Energy in Demand News, June 29, 2025

The Washington Post reports on a new study from the nonprofit International Council on Clean Transportation, shedding light on which nations are driving the largest share of this planet-warming pollution — and which airports stand out. Globally, private jets emitted up to 19.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023. Aircraft departing from the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 29, 2025

New EEA report on noise pollution in Europe

Just over 110 million people, or more than 20% of Europeans, are exposed to high levels of transport noise that exceed thresholds set under EU reporting rules and which harm our health, the environment and the economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report on noise pollution published this week. The report calls for … Continue reading New EEA report on noise pollution in Europe

Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

The European Union is making a big effort to decarbonise and to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. One of the options is to expand the use of nuclear energy. However, the Financial Times writes about how complicated it is to reduce dependence on Russia for nuclear fuel: “The EU has 101 nuclear reactors of … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

New EEA briefing on protecting and restoring Europe’s wild pollinators

Wild pollinators are crucial for our food production and ecosystems, yet they are under threat. To tackle the causes of their decline and secure their habitats, we need actions across economic sectors, governance levels, and society. Monitoring the diversity and abundance of wild pollinators is indispensable for assessing the effects of these actions, according to … Continue reading New EEA briefing on protecting and restoring Europe’s wild pollinators