Understanding why Americans are so sceptical about climate change

With the climate conference in Paris starting, there are many analyses to explain every nuance to do with climate change. Because of the importance of the United States in achieving a global agreement, we need to better understand why there is so much scepticism in the country. Joby Warrick writes in the Washington Post to … Continue reading Understanding why Americans are so sceptical about climate change

Energy efficiency not at the top of the list of things building managers feel is important

How do we change priorities to get building managers to take energy efficiency more seriously? Carl Weinschenk raises important issues on the Energy Manager Today website. What are your views?   Energy Efficiency Efforts Face Obstacles in New Buildings and Retrofits Research shows that energy efficiency is important – but not paramount – to building … Continue reading Energy efficiency not at the top of the list of things building managers feel is important

Understanding and arguing about ethical and moral issues of climate change policies

EiD first met Don Brown at a climate conference about five years ago. He is thoughtful and explains ethical and moral issues in a way that should be better understood by all either attending the conference or watching from afar. This post on the use of shaming as a tool was on his Ethics and … Continue reading Understanding and arguing about ethical and moral issues of climate change policies

Making a convincing argument for investing in LEDs

For retail businesses, lighting is crucial to provide the right shopping environment for customers. Julia Raish, writes on the Chain Store Age website that advancements in LED lighting controls and connectivity are convincing businesses to make the switch to the more energy-efficient lighting.   LEDs: Benefits Extend Beyond Worth Energy Savings Retail facilities are making … Continue reading Making a convincing argument for investing in LEDs

Developments in improving the energy performance of commercial buildings

Rob Matheson from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology News Office provides a good post on how an automated energy analytics platform collects data on commercial buildings to improve energy efficiency. Let us know what you think.   Scaling commercial energy efficiency Big data may soon make buildings greener. With a recent major acquisition, MIT alumni-founded … Continue reading Developments in improving the energy performance of commercial buildings

Batteries are becoming an increasingly viable option for supporting the stability of power grids

EiD provides our readers with many posts on batteries and energy storage because the pace of development is increasing. Ed Crooks writes a good article in the Financial Times about some of those recent developments.   Batteries start to compete for power grid The cost of batteries is falling to the point that they are … Continue reading Batteries are becoming an increasingly viable option for supporting the stability of power grids

Canada, Mexico and the United States looking at a closer continental approach to energy and climate policies

Canada has a new government and it is now preparing for a new approach to the global climate summit – COP 21 – starting soon in Paris. Shawn McCarthy writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail that Canada is also launching negotiations with Mexico and the US on a continental energy and climate accord. These are … Continue reading Canada, Mexico and the United States looking at a closer continental approach to energy and climate policies

Reflecting on the slow death of Britain’s Green Deal

Many posts have been written in recent years about the rise and then demise of the Green Deal. Andrew Warren, a regular contributor to EiD and undoubtedly our most prolific commenter, writes an important post in the November/December issue of the magazine Energy in Buildings and Industry, questioning who is responsible for its slow death. … Continue reading Reflecting on the slow death of Britain’s Green Deal