Opinion: Nuclear power plants sustainable? That picture is completely wrong.
The Dutch government’s plan to build four nuclear power plants risks undermining climate goals rather than advancing them. Nuclear energy is often presented as a clean solution, but this is misleading because its full lifecycle, from uranium mining to construction, produces significantly more CO₂ than wind or solar.
With construction timelines of 15–20 years and enormous public costs, these plants would delay urgently needed emissions reductions and divert investment away from faster, more effective renewable options. Nuclear power also does little to improve true energy security, given reliance on foreign uranium and the lack of focus on energy storage, which is essential for balancing renewable supply.Overall, nuclear energy represents an expensive and slow approach that could hinder the transition to a sustainable and reliable energy system.
Boelie Elzen, Rob Geerts, and Wim Smit previously conducted research into the societal effects of technological development, particularly regarding nuclear energy, and the consequences of nuclear power plant accidents. They have since retired.
Swap Crowded National Parks for These 6 State Parks That Offer All the Beauty and None of the Lines
This summer, consider visiting state parks instead of crowded national parks.
State parks offer similar beauty and adventure with fewer crowds and lower costs.
For example, instead of just hitting Denali, add a stop at Chugach State Park. This 500,000-acre oasis of alpine tundra, glassy lakes, glacier views, and rainforest delivers the perfect adventure to start or end your Alaska trip.
Google's New Michigan Data Center Comes With 2.7 GW Clean Energy Boost
Corporate Climate Leadership Done Right: Google’s Michigan Initiative.
Google is expanding its clean energy footprint in Michigan by partnering with DTE Energy to launch a new data centre and add 2.7 gigawatts of clean energy to the local grid.
The initiative includes a $10 million Energy Impact Fund to support local energy affordability and aligns with the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge.
Scientists call for internationally mandated assessment of climate change risks
A group of experts is calling for an internationally mandated global climate risk assessment.
They argue that governments currently have a limited understanding of climate change risks, which hinders effective decision-making.
The experts emphasise the need for a comprehensive assessment to provide a clear picture of the potential consequences of climate change and inform mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Failure to prepare for extreme weather risks losing a flood of public support, warns IPPR
A new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that the UK government’s failure to prepare for extreme weather events, driven by climate change, risks losing public support and political ground.
The report, based on polling data, shows that a majority of voters across the political spectrum believe the UK is unprepared for climate change impacts and support a dual approach of mitigation and adaptation.
The IPPR recommends investing in resilient infrastructure, combining adaptation with emissions reduction, and transparent communication linking extreme weather to climate change.
Going ‘beyond GDP’ should not mean sidelining the SDGs
The UN Sustainable Development Goals represent a carefully-crafted road map for future human and planetary prosperity.
Earlier this week, a group of specialists responsible for ensuring that the SDG indicators are robust and transparent presented the UN with a report on lessons learnt from a decade of their work.
The report says: “A central lesson from the SDG global monitoring experience is that future efforts should build on what already exists rather than start anew.”
European country vows to give homeowners ‘free electricity' instead of switching off wind turbines
The UK is exploring a new system to provide discounted or free electricity to homes near wind farms on windy days.
This initiative aims to address the issue of wasted renewable energy due to grid constraints, particularly in Scotland and the East of England.
While the trials are seen as a positive step, experts emphasise the need for permanent changes to encourage investment in electrification and shift energy demand effectively.
How the oceans’ coral reefs could be the secret weapon to tackle food insecurity around the world
New research suggests that rebuilding coral reef fish stocks to sustainable levels could significantly increase food security, particularly in regions facing hunger and micronutrient deficiencies.
The study found that sustainable yields could increase by almost 50%, providing millions of additional meals annually.
However, achieving this goal would require improved fisheries management, alternative livelihoods for fishermen, and potentially international support.
Satellites Discovered A Surprisingly Simple Strategy To Combat Climate Change
Satellite data reveals significant potential for natural reforestation of abandoned plantations and cleared forests, particularly in Brazil, China, Colombia, Indonesia, and Mexico.
This strategy, requiring minimal management, could be a cost-effective way to combat climate change, especially in lower-income countries.
Environmental protection schemes rewarding landowners for forest preservation could further incentivise reforestation efforts.
pic Photo by Pixabay
Lessons from the Incas: how llamas, terraces and trees could help the Andes survive climate change
The melting and disappearance of tropical glaciers in the Andes due to climate change is resulting in severe floods and droughts. Research indicates that Inca-era practises such as terracing, afforestation, and llama husbandry could assist in mitigating these consequences.
Organisations like Ecoan are actively engaged in restoring cloud forests and promoting agroforestry, drawing upon these ancient techniques to build resilience in the face of an impending water crisis.
From ‘endangered’ to ‘least concern’: How green turtles have escaped extinction
Green sea turtles have been reclassified from ‘endangered’ to ‘least concern’ following a 28% population increase since the 1970s.
This success is attributed to conservation efforts protecting nesting females and eggs, reducing unsustainable harvest and addressing accidental capture in fishing gear.
However, experts emphasise the need for continued conservation efforts to ensure long-term survival.
Bridging the gap: How AI can help—or hinder—the Sustainable Development Goals
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve food security, fair work and climate resilience.
AI presents new opportunities for addressing some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while simultaneously constraining and amplifying the issues they were designed to address, such as the increasing energy demands of large data centres.
As indicated in the linked article, the question is no longer whether AI is relevant to sustainable development but how to apply it in ways that reduce costs, expand access, enhance decision-making and do not exacerbate inequality.
AI seen as key to achieving UN goals
Professor Arthur GO Mutambara emphasises the importance of AI in achieving the UN’s 2030 sustainable development goals.
He warns of the potential for AI to exacerbate global inequality and calls for global cooperation and a strategic framework to ensure equitable outcomes.
What the Heck Are NDCs? The Climate Plans That Could Make or Break the Paris Agreement
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are crucial climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement. These plans outline how nations will reduce emissions and adapt to climate change impacts, with the next round due in 2025.
While progress has been made, current commitments fall short of the 1.5°C target, necessitating more ambitious action to avoid catastrophic consequences.
pic From the study “Country-based rate of emissions reductions should increase by 80% beyond nationally determined contributions to meet the 2 °C target”
Climate action in progress at more than 10,000 schools
Over 10,000 schools, nurseries, and colleges are taking climate action with support from sustainability programmes like Climate Ambassadors.
Climate Ambassadors, including experts like Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez and Charlotte Bonner, are helping these settings develop Climate Action Plans. These plans, created with input from students and staff, focus on practical changes to reduce energy use and promote sustainability.
Cape Town Launches First AI in Tourism Hub to Drive Innovation and Ethical Use
Cape Town Tourism has launched the Cape Town AI in Tourism Hub, a collaborative initiative to position the city as a global leader in responsible AI use within the tourism sector.
The hub aims to address industry challenges, co-create strategic use cases, and promote ethical AI development.
Founding members include representatives from Cape Town Tourism, the Western Cape Government, Grasp Digital, Macrocosm.London Ltd, Google South Africa, and the Zanetti AI Institute
What Happens to People Who Move to the Beach? A Massive New Study Shows an Unexpected Benefit
A study of 66,000 census tracts in the US found that people living within 30 miles of an ocean or gulf have longer life expectancies than those living further inland.
The researchers hypothesise that this is due to milder temperatures, better air quality, improved transportation, and higher incomes.
but… People who lived in urban areas near inland bodies of water — things like lakes and rivers — actually had lower life expediencies than those who weren’t near water at all.
UN@80: Quality education is the foundation of sustainable development goals
Quality education, with the power to foster innovation, stimulate creativity, generate new ideas, and truly eradicate poverty, is the foundation of every other sustainable development goal, said Ameh Glory Ene-dugbo-ojo, representative of the Northern Surveyors Forum of Nigeria.
She added that quality education gives you the confidence to articulate your ideas and achieve results throughout your life, thanks to the knowledge you gain.
Sustainable Travel Tips: How to Minimize Waste and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Pack a Zero-Waste Travel Kit
Use Reusable Mini Bottles for Toiletries
Make Mindful Choices to Reduce Waste
Carry a Reusable Steel Water Bottle
Travel Light and Choose Sustainable Options
Bring Reusable Essentials for Eco-Friendly Travel
Opt for Shampoo Bars and Reusable Bottles
Pack a Collapsible Water Bottle for Hydration
Refill Your Water Bottle to Avoid Plastic
Utilize Tote Bags for Shopping and Outings
Choose Ground Transport Over Flying
Dine at Local Markets for Sustainable Eating
Create a Compact, Refillable Travel Kit
Bike When Possible to Reduce Emissions
Bring a Portable Water Filter for Drinking
Pack Eco-Friendly Items for Waste Reduction
How to teach climate change so 15-year-olds can act
The OECD’s Pisa program will measure 15-year-olds’ ability to act on climate change in 2025.
The program focuses on students’ understanding of human interactions with Earth systems and their ability to make informed decisions.
Australia is a relative latecomer in embedding climate change in education, but there are calls for a national strategy to incorporate learning across all subjects and levels.
COP29: Digital tech and AI can boost climate action, but curbing the sector’s emissions is key
The COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action received endorsements from over 1,000 governments, companies, civil society, international, and regional organisations.
Recognising the importance of digital technologies in mitigating and adapting to climate change, the declaration outlines how digital innovations can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide life-saving community information.
Why We Need Decentralized AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the world, with a projected 40% annual growth and a trillion-dollar market by 2030. Crypto could potentially facilitate the development of open-source AI systems that address the limitations of current closed-source systems controlled by tech giants.
The current AI landscape is characterised by closed-source systems that raise concerns about unethical applications and manipulation, such as the promotion of addictive content or the perpetuation of biases. In contrast, open-source AI, with its publicly available source code, promotes trust and accountability. However, open-source AI faces challenges in terms of funding and coordination.
Corporate support for open-source AI, exemplified by Meta’s Llama 3.1, underscores its accessibility and adaptability.
Hype or Reality: Can AI Truly Combat Climate Change?
New and emerging AI technology is often touted as a beacon of hope, promising solutions to previously insurmountable challenges.
The World Economic Forum asserts that AI can play a significant role in the fight against climate change.
The United Nations believes that AI can aid in achieving all of its strategic development goals.
However, a coalition of environmental groups warns that people will be outraged by the substantial increase in energy consumption due to AI in the coming years, as well as its potential to spread disinformation about climate change. pic
How to supercharge climate action? Get schools involved
Schools are an underutilized asset for reducing the UK’s emissions, according to organizers of a new and engaging climate event.
Children, present in 43% of UK households, have a unique capacity to influence behavior through what Green calls “nagging power.” They also play a crucial role in disseminating ideas well beyond the confines of the classroom.
Web3for2030: How can Web3 help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Web3 is about changing our financial, economic, governance and innovation systems through “openness” and decentralisation.
If impact organisations like UNDP and other UN agencies develop the skillsets, mindsets, partnerships, and resources to harness the potential of Web3 there is significant potential to accelerate progress toward the goals.
2023: The Year Blockchain Becomes a Sustainability Solution
The Ethereum network recently upgraded to PoS, which saw Ethereum’s energy usage drop by 99.9%.
With new green credentials, blockchain networks can be put to good use by improving tracking and verifiably proving emissions of a given organization or supply chain.
Due to their inherent immutability, accountability and transparency, blockchain can track carbon balances and other environmental measures, holding to account companies that proclaim to be sustainable. pic
Have an Idea That Meets UN’s SDG Goals? This Unique School Helps Thousands Implement It
A remarkable platform that combines people’s love for innovation with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.
The result is a host of ideas and solutions that cut across sectors like healthcare, education, energy, waste management, and more. pic
