Canada’s dilemma in reducing emissions while expanding its economy

If you were sitting on the world’s largest reserves of tar sands, would you be thinking you could expand production and yet reduce emissions? It is a dilemma. Konrad Yakabuski writes a thoughtful article in Canada’s Globe and Mail about this issue that faces more than Canada Can an expanding economy be a low-carbon … Continue reading Canada’s dilemma in reducing emissions while expanding its economy →

UNEP Inquiry Publishes New Report on Sustainable Finance in the EU

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System initiative published a new report entitled Building a Sustainable Financial System in the European Union. Building a sustainable financial system in the European Union can support long-term economic and environmental goals, boost international competitiveness, and advance the EU’s strategic role … Continue reading UNEP Inquiry Publishes New Report on Sustainable Finance in the EU →

Environmental concerns seem to be the exception, not the rule, in the world of computing

Nathan Ensmenger, an associate professor in the School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana University, provides a fascinating article on the environmental impact of computers on the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website. He reflects on four environmental aspects of the online economy that deserve serious scrutiny from consumers, producers, and regulators alike. You should … Continue reading Environmental concerns seem to be the exception, not the rule, in the world of computing →

Can we have it all?

Our economies, at least in the western world, that we can endlessly consume. Yes, we talk about the circular economy and the Club of Rome, for one, has done a good job promoting it. But, not enough has been done to turn it from theory to practice. George Monbiot writes in the Guardian about why … Continue reading Can we have it all? →

Electricity in Africa: Bleak situation but surely a better future

Norimitsu Onishi writes a very good article in the New York Times about the situation in Africa concerning electricity generation and distribution. EiD has had posts on this before but it is important that we take notice and provide whatever support possible. This is an important article to as a wake up call to these … Continue reading Electricity in Africa: Bleak situation but surely a better future →

New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has released a report, titled 'Pathways to Scale,' which identifies "critical innovations in the US$300+ trillion global financial system that can help bring together the historically separate agendas of financial reform and sustainable development." Drawing on country-level examples of financial market and institutional reforms, the report proposes a number of … Continue reading New report by UNEP identifies innovations for scaling up sustainable development financing →

Letter to the editor on sustainable investing

Per Bolund, Minister of Financial Markets for the Government of Sweden has written a powerful letter to the editor of the Financial Times about a long-term viable investment strategy as we move to a low-carbon economy. This is an issue that we will be addressing more and more in the future, no doubt. Making … Continue reading Letter to the editor on sustainable investing →

Backyard energy plants

Paul Hockenos writes a very good article in Foreign Policy about the green energy revolution taking place in Germany’s backyards. Undoubtedly, this is an important part of Germany’s energy transition. As Hockenos states Germany is increasingly powered by backyard windmills and locally owned solar panels. And he goes on that this complex, patchwork system just … Continue reading Backyard energy plants →

Improving the sustainability of football

All sectors of our economies can make improvements to ensure greater sustainability. This article by Oliver Balch in The Guardian shows the efforts underway in “the beautiful game,” football and even some reference to American football. From organic pitches and recycled turf to footstep power and energy efficient lighting, new technology is taking football closer … Continue reading Improving the sustainability of football →

Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers

Athlyn Cathcart-Keays writes in the Guardian about a new development of engineered timber that could herald a new era of eco-friendly ‘plyscrapers’. Christchurch welcomed its first multistorey timber structure this year, there are plans for Vancouver, and the talk is China could follow. Wooden skyscrapers could be the future of flat-pack cities around the … Continue reading Skyscrapers turning into plyscrapers →