South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth

It is encouraging to see the positive steps taken by the South Korean government to create its own Green New Deal. The authors, from Australia, state that Australia has much to learn from South Korea’s effort. Maybe we all do. South Korea’s efforts are discussed in an article on the Conversation website. The authors are: … Continue reading South Korea is using the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to kickstart environmentally sustainable economic growth →

Among all the globe’s 20 most industrialised nations, only India and Indonesia maintain a diet low enough in carbon emissions to meet the Paris climate target

The "food-print" emissions produced by G20 countries, which account for around 64% of the world’s population, currently create 75% of the total global food-related emissions. Many are saying that the pandemic has shown how broken our food system is. Elliot Douglas discusses the issue in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. World needs 7 … Continue reading Among all the globe’s 20 most industrialised nations, only India and Indonesia maintain a diet low enough in carbon emissions to meet the Paris climate target →

New EEA briefing on the importance of clearer labelling and better public awareness in tackling with Europe’s plastic problem

Biodegradable, compostable and bio-based plastic products like shopping bags, packaging or drinking cups are being increasingly promoted as greener solution than traditional plastic products for consumers. But how environmentally-friendly are they? A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing released this week says clearer labelling and better public awareness will improve the correct disposal of these plastics … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the importance of clearer labelling and better public awareness in tackling with Europe’s plastic problem →

Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates

As city populations soar, it might seem like there isn't much room for trees. But ecologists say these climatic powerhouses are an often overlooked solution to the health and environmental issues greater density brings. Charli Shield discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website why trees are more important than ever. Trees help … Continue reading Trees have a fundamental place in cities – amongst other benefits they are powerhouses when it comes to regulating city microclimates →

“It is therefore certainly possible socially and psychologically for humans to live without growth. But it is certainly impossible politically and economically for humans to choose that option proactively now.”

Dennis Meadows, the American scientist and Emeritus Professor of Systems Management, and former director of the Institute for Policy and Social Science Research at the University of New Hampshire, known as a coauthor of The Limits to Growth, writes a timely article on the Club of Rome website about a world where the globe’s population, … Continue reading “It is therefore certainly possible socially and psychologically for humans to live without growth. But it is certainly impossible politically and economically for humans to choose that option proactively now.” →

Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings

Our homes and old towns will be uninhabitable by 2050, warn the architects Sébastien Clément and Emmanuel Mille, and the philosopher Thierry Paquot, who argue for an "intelligent rehabilitation" of existing buildings in an article on Le Monde website. For a heritage policy consistent with the climate emergency June 2020 was the warmest month … Continue reading Arguing for “intelligent rehabilitation” of existing buildings →

Record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste dumped globally last year, says UN report

A record 54m tonnes of “e-waste” was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21% in five years. Worryingly, just 17.4% of the world's discarded electronics was recycled. Damian Carrington discusses the report in an article on The Guardian website. Surely these trends are not sustainable. What are your views? $10bn of precious metals dumped each … Continue reading Record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste dumped globally last year, says UN report →

The challenge for architects to integrate all design requirements including improving energy performance but also coping now with the 100-year viral pandemic

We have developed complex codes, regulations and guidelines to achieve goals such as structural safety, fire safety, adequate ventilation and energy efficiency, and to anticipate extreme scenarios such as 100-year floods. The question for architects now is whether and how the 100-year viral pandemic will change architectural design and building operations. This is the challenge … Continue reading The challenge for architects to integrate all design requirements including improving energy performance but also coping now with the 100-year viral pandemic →

UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families

A study into 20 proposed developments suggests transport links and local amenities are poor with communities requiring expanded road systems. This hardly seems sustainable. Tom Bawden explains in an article on the inews website. Garden community projects could create 200,000 car-dependent families, study suggests A flagship project to build more than 50 green housing … Continue reading UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families →

The environmental benefits of using timber in the construction of tall buildings are compelling

Three years ago, the fire at the Grenfell Tower in London led to the deaths of 72 and the disruption of lives of many more. A ban on constructing with timber is one of the more misguided responses to Grenfell according to Rowan Moore in an article on The Guardian website. What are your views? … Continue reading The environmental benefits of using timber in the construction of tall buildings are compelling →