An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner

Zoltan Nagy, Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, writes on The Conversation website about using a new AI system that helps shift energy use in buildings to times when the electricity grid is cleaner. What are your views?   AI helps lighten the load on the electric … Continue reading An artificial intelligence system that helps buildings shift their energy use to times when the electric grid is cleaner →

Our energy and climate transition: au revoir Paris

In an excellent article on The Conversation website, James Dyke, Associate Professor in Earth System Science, University of Exeter; Robert Watson, Emeritus Professor in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia; Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University warn us that the time has come for us to leap.   The … Continue reading Our energy and climate transition: au revoir Paris →

Energy in Demand News, August 18, 2024

Expanding oil production certainly gets a lot of attention these days. In an energy newsletter by the Financial Times (behind a paywall) this week, the lead article was on a technology breakthrough by Chevron that could extend the production lifespan of the US Gulf of Mexico oil basin and “and potentially bring billions of additional … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 18, 2024 →

‘Agrivoltaics’ is not new, but is growing in popularity

Using the same piece of land for both solar and agriculture is known as "agrivoltaics." But there are several options as seen in Alberta. Pigs are used to eat the weeds under the solar panels. So are sheep. The other option is to grow crops. In Alberta there are several experiments underway to find the … Continue reading ‘Agrivoltaics’ is not new, but is growing in popularity →

The US government has told campaigners that it will push for a new global treaty on plastic waste to limit the production of plastics rather than just encouraging measures like recycling

In an article on the Climate Home News website, Joe Lo writes about the US government’s shift in its position on plastic pollution. The shift sparked accusations of betrayal from the plastics industry and celebrations from environmental campaigners and a Pacific negotiator.   US turns against plastic producers, boosting hopes for ambitious treaty After two … Continue reading The US government has told campaigners that it will push for a new global treaty on plastic waste to limit the production of plastics rather than just encouraging measures like recycling →

Blog by James Ritter: How does reducing our water consumption impact the environment?

Water is an essential part of life on Earth, so it’s crucial that we carefully consider and monitor how we are using it. With the global population expanding and water scarcity being exacerbated by climate change, the need to be mindful of our water consumption is more important than ever. Not only does conserving water … Continue reading Blog by James Ritter: How does reducing our water consumption impact the environment? →

It will be no simple task for farmers and the food sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050

In an article on Canada’s National Newswatch website, Alex Binkley discusses the challenges that Canada’s agrifood sector has in achieving net zero. No doubt this will be a similar problem in most countries.   Achieving net zero emissions no simple task for agrifood sector It will be no simple task for farmers and the food … Continue reading It will be no simple task for farmers and the food sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 →

The impact of Africa’s growth on global carbon targets is likely to be low, especially in the short term

In an article on The Conversation website, Daniel M. Kammen, Professor of Energy, University of California, Berkeley and Oluwagbemisola Deborah Akinsipe, PhD Candidate in the Energy and Resources Group, University of California, Berkeley discuss their research into analysing how Africa’s growth could potentially affect efforts to reduce global warming or mitigate climate change.   African … Continue reading The impact of Africa’s growth on global carbon targets is likely to be low, especially in the short term →

Olympic sports and their sustainability strategies

Thomas Cuckston, Professor of Accounting and Ecology, University of Birmingham writes on The Conversation website about the sustainability of the sports that participated in the recent Paris Olympics. The final paragraph sums up the results very well: “While some sports are showing impressive leadership, others are falling behind. Some are not showing any signs of … Continue reading Olympic sports and their sustainability strategies →

Understanding extreme weather

In an article on The Conversation website, Simon H. Lee, Lecturer in Atmospheric Science, University of St Andrews; Hayley J. Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts, Newcastle University; and Paul Davies, Chief Meteorologist, Met Office and Visiting Professor, Newcastle University discuss how traditional thinking about the climate falls short when the climate itself is rapidly … Continue reading Understanding extreme weather →