Can we learn anything from past energy transitions?

In an article on The Conversation website, Liz Conor, ARC Future Fellow at Australia’s La Trobe University discusses what we can learn from earlier energy transitions as we move to greater renewables. What are your views?   Muscle, wood, coal, oil: what earlier energy transitions tell us about renewables In 2022, the burning of fossil … Continue reading Can we learn anything from past energy transitions?

Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023

It was encouraging that the heads of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) called on leaders from government, finance and industry across Europe to deliver a clean energy transition that is just, swift and maintains competitiveness.  Ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, central bankers and other key … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023

Forecasts call for an increasing demand for oil even though electric vehicles are growing faster than expected around the world

Robert Brecha, Professor of Sustainability at the University of Dayton questions on The Conversation website why the US is still forecasting oil demand growth, when so many of the indicators lead in the other direction.   EV sales growth points to oil demand peaking by 2030 − so why is the oil industry doubling down … Continue reading Forecasts call for an increasing demand for oil even though electric vehicles are growing faster than expected around the world

British PM and the net zero transition – lessons from history about flip-flopping on the environment

This has been a very interesting week in climate policy in Britain, with the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, defied official advice and rolled back on the net zero timetable. Marc Hudson, Visiting Fellow, Science Policy at the University of Sussex writes on The Conversation website giving us a history lesson on the experience of … Continue reading British PM and the net zero transition – lessons from history about flip-flopping on the environment

Chasm between climate action and scientific reality laid bare in UN stocktake

The chasm between the climate action being taken and the emissions cuts required is set out bluntly in the new “global stocktake” report from the UN, produced in collaboration with nations. In an article on the Guardian website, Fiona Harvey discusses a major UN report that argues that governments are failing to cut emissions fast … Continue reading Chasm between climate action and scientific reality laid bare in UN stocktake

Great series of billboards in US calling out oil and gas companies for their role in fueling climate disasters

Fossil Free Media, a non-profit media organization, installed the ads in cities rocked by heatwaves including Phoenix and Austin. Dharna Noor explains in an article on the Guardian website.   ‘Brought to you by big oil’: US billboards call out companies for record heatwaves Drive down the highways of Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; or Fresno, … Continue reading Great series of billboards in US calling out oil and gas companies for their role in fueling climate disasters

Energy in Demand News, August 27, 2023

In an important development this week, human rights experts from the United Nations have issued a warning to Saudi Aramco and its banks over the company’s enormous contribution to the climate crisis. Saudi Aramco is the biggest oil and gas company in the world and the world’s biggest corporate emitter of greenhouse gases. Their warning … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 27, 2023

Alberta’s decision to pause approval of new renewable energy projects bewildering in a year when wildfires are at their record worst

Critics of the policy expressed concern that decision will weaken investor confidence in solar and wind energy in the region. The renewable energy industry wasn’t even consulted in advance. Leyland Cecco discusses the government’s decision in an article on the Guardian website. Well, for a bit of the other side of the argument., read this … Continue reading Alberta’s decision to pause approval of new renewable energy projects bewildering in a year when wildfires are at their record worst

“We are kidding ourselves if we think that the oil giants will pave the way for a future where our planet is habitable”

The oil giant claims 30% of its investing budget goes to ‘transition growth engines’, but it recently ditched a target to reduce its oil output. Daniel Capurro writes on the iNews website that BP invested 11 times more money on oil and gas than on low-carbon energy in the last quarter. Earlier this year International … Continue reading “We are kidding ourselves if we think that the oil giants will pave the way for a future where our planet is habitable”

The sooner the oil industry starts facing up to the realities of climate change, the more chance it has to survive

Adi Imsirovic, Fellow at the University of Surrey writes on The Conversation website that we are in trouble since the oil and gas industry remains largely in climate denial. What are your views?   The oil industry has succumbed to a dangerous new climate denialism If we have not been warned of the dangers of … Continue reading The sooner the oil industry starts facing up to the realities of climate change, the more chance it has to survive