John Broder explains in the New York Times about some of the breakdowns that can be expected in the energy system as a result of the impact of changing climate. Climate Change Will Cause More Energy Breakdowns, U.S. Warns The nation’s entire energy system is vulnerable to increasingly severe and costly weather events driven … Continue reading Vulnerability to climate change is not only in developing countries
Category: impact
Impact of air pollution
Sarah Boseley wrote recently in The Guardian about two studies that show the effects on health of long- and short-term exposure to pollutants from traffic and industry. Air pollution linked to higher risk of lung cancer and heart failure Air pollution, chiefly from traffic exhaust fumes in cities, is having a serious and sometimes … Continue reading Impact of air pollution
The health and wealth of cities
Tim Smedley writes in the Guardian about a new report by the Carbon Disclosure Project that discusses the positive impact of climate change on cities. It will be interesting to see how this is received by the environmental community. Is climate change making cities wealthier and healthier? A new report on climate change action … Continue reading The health and wealth of cities
Doctors get their views across on renewable energy
The Canadian Association of Doctors for the Environment has come out strongly in support for renewable energy in order to mitigate the harmful health effects from conventional energy. This article from the Toronto Star was written by three association members: Dr. David Colby, Dr. Rosana Pellizzari and Gideon Forman. It would be interesting if there … Continue reading Doctors get their views across on renewable energy
Need to reconsider our use of coal
We know that coal is not a sustainable energy source but it is still widely used, even in Europe. John Vidal writes in the Guardian about the serious impact coal pollution is having on health today in Europe. Interestingly, the Toronto Star reports that Ontario coal plants emit arsenic and chromium (which cause cancer); sulphur … Continue reading Need to reconsider our use of coal
Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products
Andrew Oxlade writes in The Telegraph about a report from Consumer Futures that questions official estimates on cost savings of energy-efficient products. Green measures will only save £31 by 2020, says official consumer protection body Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body, today warned the Government its estimates of savings from encouraging consumers to use … Continue reading Consumer Futures, the official UK protection body raises concerns about estimates on cost savings from energy-efficient products
Benefits of energy efficient homes
Andy Warren, President of Maracay Homes in Arizona, writes for the Explorer news about a new study that quantified the link between energy-efficient homes and mortgage risks. Separately, NV Energy in Nevada spent $267 million on energy efficiency programmes during 2007-12. This led to savings of 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours per year, the amount of savings … Continue reading Benefits of energy efficient homes
Report shows that energy efficient companies in Australia reap important benefits
Marcus Priest writes in the Australian Financial Review about the important results from a study by ACIL Tasmania after the first five years of the federal government’s Energy Efficiency Opportunities programme. Carbon savings windfall for energy efficient companies Companies are saving the equivalent of around $100 for every tonne of emissions they have reduced by … Continue reading Report shows that energy efficient companies in Australia reap important benefits
Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland
Malcolm Cannon of ESPC.com in Scotland writes in the Guardian about the impact that EPCs are having on the Scottish housing market. Energy performance certificates won't change human behaviour Scottish government plans to improve energy efficiency can't prevent buyers placing more space above green credentials In late January, the Scottish government published a draft … Continue reading Impact of energy performance certificates questioned in Scotland
Climate and health
There are many public health issues relating to climate change, as recently explained by Adam Corner, a research associate of the School of Psychology of the University of Cardiff, in The Guardian. Climate change isn't just about the environment – it's a health problem Framing climate change as a public health risk may be … Continue reading Climate and health
