A wildfire during hot, dry conditions in August 2023 destroyed Lahaina, Hawaii, and devastated Maui’s tourism industry – the heart of its economy.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Fed Chair Jerome Powell bristles at talk of managing climate change, but the damage it is doing the US economy is hard to ignore, as the latest National Climate Assessment shows.
South Africa’s renewable energy programme a game of hits and misses
Gettyimages, Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg
South Africa’s experience with renewable energy procurement provides valuable insights – what to do and what not to do – about management of the climate transition.
Yadlamalka Energy’s solar farm at Neuroodla, South Australia.
AAP Image/Supplied by Greenhouse Communications
The Australian Labor government’s expanded Capacity Investment Scheme gives us a better chance of hitting high renewable energy targets. It’s not without risk but well worth the rewards.
A row of monopiles that will be the base for offshore wind turbines, in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.
David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
A recent study focusing on how offshore wind farms in Massachusetts waters could affect endangered right whales does not call for slowing the projects, but says monitoring will be critical.
In this podcast, former Labor climate change minister Greg Combet joins The Conversation to discuss net-zero, and Australia's future as a "renewable energy superpower".
When Australia’s government and opposition argue over how to get to net zero emissions, nuclear power is the flashpoint. The argument against nuclear is stronger, but not for the obvious reason.
People stand on frozen Ghost Lake outside a hydro-electric dam near Cochrane, Alta., in December 2020. Renewables and e-fuels could be instrumental in Canada’s green transition.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
E-fuels are materials that reliably and efficiently store energy until we need to use it and can readily be moved from place to place. They could be a major player in Canada’s green transition.
Canada has the third-largest oil reserves in the world and is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
If Alberta prepares to transition from oil and gas to solar energy, the workforce will need retraining. New research shows that this will cost less than expected.
Rod Sims, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University
Australia has a massive opportunity to reduce global emissions by as much as 9%, all while renewing its heavy industries and economy. But to seize the opportunity, government needs to move fast.
Of all Australia’s climate policies, the Renewable Energy Target has been the most effective. Why have Australian governments moved away from it, and how can they revive it?
Rather than paying ageing power stations to stay open in the transition to renewable energy, demand flexibility is cheaper and cleaner way to ensure the system has enough capacity.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Australia’s move towards net zero emissoions by 2020 is in danger of stalling. If it is not to fail, the nation urgently needs a government plan, aligned with industry and with public support.
Policies and funds to decarbonise high-emitting industries and electrify transport are already delivering emissions cuts. But they are at risk of being disestablished or weakened.
Solar farm in northern Canberra, June 2022.
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
Getting to Zero, a new series in The Conversation starting today, examines how – and whether – Australia can meet its net zero emissions target by 2050.