Continuous growth of energy production and consumption, even from low carbon energy sources, could create more problems than solutions.
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Articles on Energy use
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Last month’s dire report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have left you feeling overwhelmed. But small changes at the household level really can make a world of difference.
Much of the US has been experiencing heat waves in recent weeks. An economist explains how the often record-high temperatures can affect the economy.
Firewood and charcoal are replaced with more energy-efficient electricity.
Tesla’s stance has also shone the spotlight further onto the carbon footprint of cryptocurrency – an issue that will not go away soon.
While most areas experienced a reduction in air pollution in response to lockdown measures, other areas saw only small improvements or even an air quality deterioration.
Demand would shift from luxuries to necessities.
But it’s time to make this a right to low carbon energy.
Spreading electricity demand throughout the day is much better for the environment.
There has never been a better time for public money to go into improving the performance of Australian housing. We could have cut household bills and emissions, as well as saving construction jobs.
A long-term housing stimulus package that focuses on retrofitting to cut energy demand would also help households repay the debts being accumulated during this crisis.
Net zero energy buildings produce at least as much energy as they use. Designing whole net zero campuses and communities takes the energy and climate benefits to a higher level.
Builders compete for customers by touting the features of their homes. Some builders promote ‘six-star’ home energy ratings in ways that could mislead consumers and breach Australian Consumer Law.
After the ‘world’s biggest work-from-home experiment’, many people (and their employers) might decide they needn’t commute every day. If even a fraction do that, infrastructure needs will change.
Those endless cups of tea while working from home are unlikely to add much to your electricity bill. But coronavirus poses other problems for the electricity sector.
Effective public health response to a pandemic, depends on the availability of a stable power supply system.
Buyers pay more for a home they know has a good energy rating. That’s worth an extra 2.4-9.4% in the only part of Australia where energy ratings must be disclosed at the time of sale.
Carbon offsetting is one way of doing it – but sometimes the simplest methods work best.
Australia requires a minimum six-star energy rating for new housing. New homes average just 6.2 stars, so builders are doing the bare minimum to comply, even as the costs of this approach are rising.
Research shows that moving from a larger dwelling to a tiny home can change behavior in surprising ways.
Top contributors
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Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University
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Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT University
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Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT University
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Professor, Emerging Technologies Research Lab, Monash University, Monash University
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Research fellow, University of South Australia
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Associate Professor of Economics, University of Arizona
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Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University
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Associate Professor in Property, The University of Melbourne
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Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University
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Professor of Housing Research, University of Adelaide
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Research Principal, University of Technology Sydney
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Assistant Professor of Economics, Claremont McKenna College
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Senior Lecturer in Urban and Environmental Planning, Griffith University
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Professor of IT, Southern Cross University
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Professor of FinTech History and Global Trade, Northumbria University, Newcastle
