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Insights and expert analysis on climate issues.
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South Asia is home to a quarter of the world’s population. The region’s power demand is growing rapidly, and so is its reliance on fossil fuels to meet it – but this strategy is beginning to backfire, and is costing countries dearly.
Heatwave and war are unveiling the vulnerability of India’s coal dominated power sector
Dr Nandini Das
A deadly heatwave has pushed electricity demand to a new high in India. In response, the Indian government plans to increase domestic production and imports of coal. Instead, this crisis should present an opportunity to ramp up its renewables expansion.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are incredibly vulnerable to intensifying hazards from climate change. But the challenges that SIDS face in adapting can only be understood by looking at how these impacts interact with other risks – not all of them environmental.
The controversial Scarborough gas project off Western Australia will cause a substantial rise in greenhouse gas emissions at a time when the world must rapidly decarbonise, new analysis shows.
Ocean thermal energy conversion – what is it and what role could it play for Small Island States in the Caribbean?
Dr Robert Brecha
Using Geographical Information Systems tools, we have determined where water depth and proximity to shore could provide a site for ocean thermal energy conversion installation for all islands in the Caribbean. But this technology is still the poor cousin in the renewables family, leading many to ask – what is ocean thermal energy conversion and what can it bring to the table to support a 100% renewable electricity system?
The 1.5℃ global warming limit is not impossible – but without political action it soon will be
Bill Hare, Dr Carl-Friedrich Schleussner
Whether Earth can stay within 1.5℃ warming involves two distinct questions. First, is it physically, technically and economically feasible, considering the physics of the Earth system and possible rates of societal change? Science indicates the answer is “yes” – although it will be very difficult and the best opportunities for success lie in the past.