‘Competition’ won’t solve our energy problem

Our latest selection of articles from New Zealand and around the world on environmental management and sustainability. Click here to subscribe.

The NZ Government has the power to secure our energy supply/future – but it seems it doesn’t want to. Whether it’s ‘pumped hydro’ storage, or solar, the market needs guidance from central government. Collectively we have had the power to solve the problem, we just need our government to act in the best interests of everyone. NZ is experiencing an energy crisis; wholesale prices are having a negative effect on businesses. The energy industry needs to respond with generation projects that give New Zealanders confidence that situations like this are less likely to happen in the future.

Earth has already exceeded its annual ecological limits, if we continue to carry on using up our natural resources at this level, we would need the equivalent of 1.7 Earths to provide enough resources to accommodate our consumption. From climate change to devastating wars and even the cost-of-living crisis, how do you stay informed without sliding into despair? We need hope now, more than ever, because when you believe that you have the power to make things better, you’re more likely to try, limit ‘bad’ news & seek out positive new sources are just one example.

Gen Z is growing up in an era where the impacts of climate change are both immediate and undeniable and it's leaving them feeling powerless. Those born between 1995 and 2010 make up 30% of the global population. Climate change is impacting Gen Z’s, which in turn drives them to push for change. Australians want their workplaces to become more sustainable, but a lack of awareness of what their companies are doing to decarbonise their operations and combat global warming highlights a worrying gap for the climate transition.

As popular destinations in Greece struggle to cope with a tourism surge as climate change strains resources such as water resources and wildfires are having a big impact, Greece is looking at a number of actions, to keep the country and its Islands in good shape. A careful approach is required as 75.6 billion euros is at stake. Santorini a Creek Island with 25,000 inhabitants, is starting to take direct action. With 3.4 million tourists each year, there will be no new hotels built and the mayor is hoping to limit daily cruise ship visitors, down from 17,000 to 8,000!

Across the world, farmers are turning waste biomass into biochar, improving soils, boosting yields, and creating a new source of income. The worldwide market was worth $600 million last year and could rise to over $3 billion next year. Anywhere people are producing waste biomass — corn stalks, weeds, dead trees — they’re also producing a powerful tool for sequestering carbon and improving soils. And finally, research shows that what you call climate change doesn’t matter much. People don't need "climate emergency" or "global boiling" to make them worried.

Looking for a software tool to measure and reduce your emissions? We've got tips to help you choose.

Here is the full list of articles...

Speculation about potential electricity shortages are abundant in NZ media. Fingers often point to the variable availability of renewable power generation, but is it to blame? It turns out that the root cause of the issue has nothing to do with physical constraints, but the unwillingness of the players in the energy industry to compromise their profit margins. The structure of the market and the incentives for energy companies devalue the development of centralised, responsive, resilient supply-side management - if this is the case, what prevents new players from doing the same? Read more…

It seems the energy sector has a new crisis every week. Consumers, retailers, generators, legislators are all feeling the pressure. With conflicting priorities, such as emissions reduction, price, and availability, there's always another complication around the corner. While there are no simple answers, this article hashes out exactly what we need to achieve, when we need to get it done by, and how we might get there. Read more…

Overshoot days - which different countries continue to exceed at different times throughout the year - occur when a country's demand for ecological resources and services in a given year, exceeds what the planet can regenerate in that year. While the indications are that we may have almost reached peak consumption we have also until now, tended to compare GDP with the success of nations even though the top 10% of earners globally are responsible for nearly half of all emissions, these nations have almost no gains in well-being and health over low emitters. Read more…

In a world filled with distressing news - climate change, wars, and crises, maintaining hope is essential. Author Felicity Monk offers strategies for staying hopeful, such as balancing negative news with positive sources, setting media boundaries, and connecting with nature. Cultivating gratitude and raising kind, thoughtful humans can also foster optimism. Engaging in mindfulness helps process difficult emotions without getting stuck, while recognising our interconnectedness and taking small, meaningful actions can make a difference. Choosing hope, Monk argues, is a conscious decision that empowers us to create positive change. Read more…

Gen Z is experiencing deep climate anxiety, marked by fear and distress over environmental changes. Many feel let down by older generations and governments, as highlighted by a survey of Australian Gen Z students. Climate activism offers some relief, but it’s not a cure for anxiety, as burnout and frustration are common. Mental health support tailored to eco-anxiety, including therapy and community-building, is essential. Schools can help by incorporating climate and mental health discussions. Despite challenges, Gen Z’s activism is vital for shaping a sustainable and resilient future. Read more…

Australians increasingly desire to work for companies that prioritise climate action, yet many remain unaware of their employer’s efforts in this area. Zen Energy's "This is Transition" report reveals that over two-thirds of employees feel proud of companies committed to sustainability. Younger workers are more likely to quit if their employers lack climate initiatives, while older workers prioritise business viability over environmental goals. Distrust of corporate environmental claims is rising, and most employees are uninformed about their companies’ climate plans, posing a significant risk for retention and long-term climate action. Read more…

Greece’s tourism surge, with nearly 33 million visitors last year, is straining resources and exacerbating climate impacts like heatwaves and wildfires. To address these challenges, Greece has introduced a "climate resilience fee" for tourists to fund environmental recovery. However, concerns persist about whether the revenue will effectively tackle issues like water shortages and coastal erosion. Experts advocate for sustainable tourism practices, including better resource management and diversifying tourism to include eco-friendly options. The aim is to balance economic benefits with environmental protection to preserve Greece's natural and cultural assets. Read more…

Santorini, with 25,000 residents and 3.4 million annual tourists, is facing overdevelopment and environmental strain. To address this, Greece plans to ban new hotel construction and building in the island's caldera zone, known for its iconic sunset views. This measure, driven by local calls for reduced development, aims to tackle the water shortages and environmental damage exacerbated by tourism. Santorini's tourist surge mirrors broader trends across Greece, which is also grappling with climate change effects like water scarcity and wildfires. Balancing tourism's economic benefits with environmental protection remains a critical challenge. Read more…

Helping to solve an invasive species and land degradation problem, Kenyan farmers are producing biochar by gathering weeds — biomass — which is then converted into biochar. This concentrated carbon is then “charged" with nutrients by mixing it with manure and subjected to high temperatures which helps soil retain water and improve fertility, leading to higher yields while also producing a powerful tool for sequestering carbon which eliminates many of the well-known limitations of forestry for generating carbon offsets. Read more…

Over the past few years repeated calls have been made for the use of more dramatic climate change language to generate greater concern among the public for action. But increasingly, research is indicating that these terms don’t appear to be working as intended may be turning people away from taking action. What may be more effective than be relying on specific terminology to drive behaviour change, is to focus on concrete and actionable information about climate consequences and solutions, which people may feel more engaging and empowering. Read more…

This week we have the following innovation articles we hope you find interesting:

Hydrology Report - 12 September 2024

Electricity Price Index - 12 September 2024

Click here to subscribe to SnippETS

Did you know: You can display your organisation’s sustainability data on your website or intranet using our carbon management software, e-Bench? Read more…

Copyright of all featured articles lies with the original authors