Whether it is Australia or western United States or many other global regions, disasters have meant a struggle in providing needed electricity. Jeanie Chin, Manager, Centre for Grid Innovation at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology writes on The Conversation website about the benefits of microgrids. Storms and wildfires can cut electricity, but microgrids … Continue reading As regions struggle with storms and wildfires, microgrids puts communities on the path to self-reliance
Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Dorn Townsend writes on the New York Times website about developments in Helsinki, Finland. As we give more and more attention to policies and actions at the local level, it is encouraging to see such efforts as are underway in Helsinki. What is the situation where you are? Helsinki Makes Sustainability a Guiding Principle … Continue reading Sustainable growth is priority for city of Helsinki
Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
Despite the increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need to adapt, many of Europe’s cities and towns are struggling to handle the impacts of heatwaves, severe droughts and destructive floods. Two European Environment Agency (EEA) reports published today stress the urgent need for action to improve adaptation and resilience at local and national … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally
Understanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
We must reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050 to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Human activities - mainly the burning of fossil fuels - are currently emitting far too much CO2 every year. One approach to reducing CO2 emissions is emissions trading – it is carrot-and-stick: emitters of … Continue reading Understanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Investing in renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles is far from being enough to limit global warming and achieve sustainability
Shifting to electric vehicles while maintaining current travelling habits will not deliver emissions reductions required by European Green Deal and Paris Agreement. Margarita Mediavilla and Khaled Diab discuss the issues in an article on The Ecologist website. The unsustainability of the electric car The European Green Deal sets ambitious targets for decarbonising the European … Continue reading Investing in renewable energy and promoting electric vehicles is far from being enough to limit global warming and achieve sustainability
Making telecommuting sustainable
Hannah Budnitz, University of Oxford, Emmanouil Tranos, University of Bristol and Lee Chapman, University of Birmingham write on The Conversation website what it will take for the transition of working from home if we are to make it sustainable. A transition to working from home won't slash emissions unless we make car-free lifestyles viable … Continue reading Making telecommuting sustainable
Australia has also quietly become a renewable energy powerhouse
While coal and fossil fuels in general have dominated energy policy in Australia, the country more and more has turned to renewable energy. Livia Albeck-Ripka and Ivan Penn explain recent developments in an article on the New York Times website. How Coal-Loving Australia Became the Leader in Rooftop Solar Australia is the world’s second-largest … Continue reading Australia has also quietly become a renewable energy powerhouse
Fire safety should be integrated into Europe’s buildings energy policies
MEPs TANJA Fajon (Slovenia) and Sirpa Pietikäinen from Finland have joined forces with Fire Safe Europe in calling upon the European Union and national policymakers to integrate fire resilience within the EU Green Deal’s initiatives on buildings. This is an article on the Fire Safety Matters website. MEPs support inclusion of fire resilience within … Continue reading Fire safety should be integrated into Europe’s buildings energy policies
Some of the challenges for a carbon-neutral energy transition
International trade agreements are important. However, investor-state dispute-settlement provisions are blamed for impeding government action and that can have a negative impact on environmental policies. An article in The Economist gives a good account of many of the issues at stake. How some international treaties threaten the environment In use for over six decades, … Continue reading Some of the challenges for a carbon-neutral energy transition
Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
Paul O’Donoghue writes on the Times website about a new climate action bill published by the Irish government. The bill is a positive step forward for the climate agenda, but also for Ireland. It will make Ireland a leader when it comes to climate action. Climate change bill ‘will improve poor emissions record’ The … Continue reading Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 