Classical music is one of the greatest joys on our planet and that we need to make changes in order to keep it that way

Classical concerts consume energy in several ways: patrons traveling to the venue, the concert hall's lighting and heating costs, and the artist traveling via plane, car or bus to venues across the country or even the globe. While environmental activism and support is shown by performers and composers, there are ways in which music appreciators … Continue reading Classical music is one of the greatest joys on our planet and that we need to make changes in order to keep it that way →

For business, fighting climate change effectively requires a new mindset to prioritise sustainability over profit

Raz Godelnik, Assistant Professor of Strategic Design & Management at The New School writes on The Conversation website about how integrating climate change concerns is requiring changes by business. It is requiring an entirely new mindset from past practice.   How the climate crisis is transforming the meaning of ‘sustainability’ in business In his 2021 letter … Continue reading For business, fighting climate change effectively requires a new mindset to prioritise sustainability over profit →

The environmental impact of construction

The world's cities are growing — and the billions who inhabit them need places to live and work. But how does all that construction affect the planet? Martin Kuebler discusses the environmental impact of construction in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Building: What's the big deal for the environment? Ear-splitting jackhammers and whining saws, unexpected delays and clouds … Continue reading The environmental impact of construction →

New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe

The European Green Deal has set unprecedented sustainability ambitions for the EU and calls for transformational change across society. To realise such far-reaching changes, Europe needs knowledge for action. This means better uptake and use of existing knowledge, new types of knowledge, new ways of creating knowledge, and, in some policy areas, better data and … Continue reading New EEA report on increased need for knowledge for action in Europe →

New World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution

New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) provide clear evidence of the damage air pollution inflicts on human health, at even lower concentrations than previously understood. The guidelines recommend new air quality levels to protect the health of populations, by reducing levels of key air pollutants, some of which also contribute to climate change. Since … Continue reading New World Health Organization Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution →

MyEnergy2050 Podcast – check out this podcast series

The MyEnergy2050 platform highlights the people building a clean and sustainable energy system. The founder, Michael LaBelle, an associate professor at Central European University, wants to tell the story of their work on their path towards a zero-emissions energy system by 2050. Engaging content in a variety of media formats. MyEnergy2050 website was founded to … Continue reading MyEnergy2050 Podcast – check out this podcast series →

New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability

Innovation is a political priority across Europe that can deliver many benefits for society but also generate costs that are often unaccounted for. A European Environment Agency briefing, published this week, looks at how innovation can respond to sustainability challenges and how Europe needs to look for solutions beyond technological innovation.   Innovating for sustainability … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the importance of innovation for sustainability →

Forty years of conflict have left many Afghans on the edge of survival — and highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change

The past 30 years have brought flood, drought and hunger to Afghanistan. With the Taliban sweeping to power, many within and outside of the country wonder how to deal with looming climate disaster. Jennifer Collins discusses the situation in Afghanistan in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Amid Taliban takeover, climate change could … Continue reading Forty years of conflict have left many Afghans on the edge of survival — and highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change →

At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change

Sudbury, Ontario was an environmental disaster with its nickel and copper mines and smelters. INCO (now Vale) in Sudbury was the world’s largest nickel producer at one time and was the subject of my master’s thesis. Nadia Mykytczuk, Interim CEO/President of MIRARCO at Laurentian University writes on The Conversation website about the transformation of the … Continue reading At the start of this UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Sudbury model for industrial restoration is an important recipe to apply to climate change →

“It’s impossible to solve our affordable housing crisis, our climate emergency, and people’s desire for improved quality of life against racism and disinvestment into separate silos.”

Adam Mahoney writes on the National Observer website (although article originally published on Grist) that the main problem driving the so-called “heat-island effect” is tall buildings.  But there are solutions as the author explains.   Tall buildings: A boon for housing, a bane for the climate crisis In the summer of 1995, Chicago experienced one … Continue reading “It’s impossible to solve our affordable housing crisis, our climate emergency, and people’s desire for improved quality of life against racism and disinvestment into separate silos.” →