Is it possible that Italy will have to import olive oil?

Extreme weather is blamed for plunge in Italy’s olive harvest – the worst in 25 years – that could leave the country dependent on imports by April. Arthur Neslen explains in an article in The Guardian. Has climate change played a role?   Italy sees 57% drop in olive harvest as result of climate change, … Continue reading Is it possible that Italy will have to import olive oil? →

Parliamentary committee warns Scotland that it has to be more ambitious in addressing climate change

Following last year’s IPCC special report, all countries need to raise their level of ambition to ensure we don’t go above 1.5 degrees C. Severin Carrell writes in The Guardian that a cross-party parliamentary committee in Scotland is calling for a much greater effort. The goal of cutting emissions by 90% before 2050 fails to … Continue reading Parliamentary committee warns Scotland that it has to be more ambitious in addressing climate change →

Big push in India for energy-efficient air conditioning

The demand for air conditioning is growing for many reasons globally.  Lalatendu Mishra writes on The Hindu website about latest developments in India.   Demand for energy-efficient ACs rising’ The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) sector is focusing on energy efficient product offerings to attract customers as well as to comply with energy efficiency … Continue reading Big push in India for energy-efficient air conditioning →

The role policies play in promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency

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 →