The role of policies is still being debated in achieving our long-term energy transition objectives. John Timmer writes on the Ars Technical website that, overall, “the evidence is clearly consistent with the idea that pro-renewable and efficiency policies work.” Most EiD readers would certain understand that. Renewable energy policies actually work For most of … Continue reading The role policies play in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency
E-bikes now outsell standard bicycles in the Netherlands
Just go to cities like Amsterdam and you see bikes coming at you from seemingly every direction. Only seemingly, because the cyclists are actually quite disciplined. Daniel Boffey writes in The Guardian that the Dutch are now switching to e-bikes. Is this happening where you are? 'Bike country No 1': Dutch go electric in … Continue reading E-bikes now outsell standard bicycles in the Netherlands
Worries that climate change may affect the next generation of Stradivarius violins
You should put on a violin concerto from your favourite composer as you read this [here is Anne-Sophie Mutter and she does play a Stradivarius!] The forest where the wood for Stradivarius violins comes from has been used for 300 years to build some of the best string instruments in the world. Angelo van Schaik … Continue reading Worries that climate change may affect the next generation of Stradivarius violins
Energy storage playing increasing role in utility business models
Jeremiah Johnson and Joseph F. DeCarolis from North Carolina State University write on The Conversation website about the role energy storage could play for utilities within coming years. Utilities are starting to invest in big batteries instead of building new power plants Due to their decreasing costs, lithium-ion batteries now dominate a range of … Continue reading Energy storage playing increasing role in utility business models
Emissions from burning fossil fuel have had a major impact on the Sahel
Is there a link between climate change and conflict? Over the last decade many countries in the Sahel region have been embroiled in conflict, explains Alessandra Giannini, senior research scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society/laureate of "Make our planet great again", at the École normale supérieure (ENS). Resources are increasingly scarce, … Continue reading Emissions from burning fossil fuel have had a major impact on the Sahel
New World Bank report discusses policies to achieve sustainable infrastructure
The SDG Knowledge Hub of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a review by Delia Paul of a new report from the World Bank on sustainable infrastructure. World Bank Finds Efficiency and Quality of Spending Key to Sustainable Infrastructure A World Bank report presents policy mixes that could enable low- and middle-income … Continue reading New World Bank report discusses policies to achieve sustainable infrastructure
People learn to accept extreme weather as normal in as little as two years
This week, attending World Sustainable Energy Days in Wels, Austria, we had unbelievably warm weather for this time of year. And we all talked about it. Kendra Pierre-Louis writes in the New York Times that a new study shows we will soon treat such weather as normal. Well, will we? And what does this mean … Continue reading People learn to accept extreme weather as normal in as little as two years
New report from European Environment Agency on environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures
Targeted action is needed to better protect the poor, the elderly and children from environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures, especially in Europe’s eastern and southern regions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report published recently warns that the health of Europe’s most vulnerable citizens remains disproportionately affected by these hazards, despite … Continue reading New report from European Environment Agency on environmental hazards like air and noise pollution and extreme temperatures
A history lesson: “Narrating a richer past would lessen the shock of discovering that we are, after all, earthbound inhabitants of the only planet where life is known to exist.”
Amanda Power, Associate Professor in Medieval History at the University of Oxford provides a fascinating article on The Conversation website that challenges us to take a different view of history. It will be good to get the views of EiD readers. Climate change: narrate a history beyond the 'triumph of humanity' to find imaginative … Continue reading A history lesson: “Narrating a richer past would lessen the shock of discovering that we are, after all, earthbound inhabitants of the only planet where life is known to exist.”
Ireland has failed to do enough to transform the economy’s energy efficiency
According to one insulation company executive, Ireland is missing a golden opportunity, with the government dragging its heels over a planned climate action plan. John Mulligan explains in an article on the Irish Independent website. It would be good to hear from some of our Irish EiD readers if they agree. Ireland risks a … Continue reading Ireland has failed to do enough to transform the economy’s energy efficiency
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 