This article is part of a monthly series contributed by The ESG Group at Silver Leaf Partners, courtesy of Managing Partner, Michael J. Scanlon.
Staying Cool is Critical for Business Success
This special IEA report aims to raise awareness globally about one of the most critical energy issues of our time, outlining a sustainable path to the future of cooling that will allow people to reap the benefits of cooling without straining the energy system or the environment. The growing use of air conditioners in homes and offices around the world will be one of the top drivers of global electricity demand over the next three decades, according to a new analysis by the International Energy Agency that stresses the urgent need for policy action to improve cooling efficiency.
The IEA report – “The Future of Cooling” [1] (May 2018) – shows that without new efficiency standards the world will be facing a “cold crunch” from the growth in cooling demand in coming decades. The rise in cooling demand will be particularly important in the hotter regions of the world. The numbers are extreme, any hot weather (say 90 f) decreases working activities, learning in school or just being a social human. The numbers are so big; today, less than a third of global households own an air conditioner. In countries such as the United States and Japan, more than 90% of households have air conditioning, compared to just 8% of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest parts of the world. The issue is particularly sensitive in the fastest-growing nations, with the biggest increase happening in hot countries like India – where the share of AC in peak electricity load could reach 45% in 2050, up from 10% today without action. This will require large investments in new power plants to meet peak power demand at night, which cannot be met with solar PV technology.
[1] https://www.iea.org/futureofcooling/
Oceans in Our Front and Backyards!
With World Ocean Day coming (Global Celebration is on June 8th, 2019) and so much commerce, human life and global existence connected to our oceans, here is a great book to explain “How Critical Our Healthy Oceans” are to a prosperous and sustainable world!
Peter Neill’s The Once and Future Ocean aspires to do nothing less than transform our relationship with the world’s most promising and imperiled natural element: the ocean. Ambitious in scope yet grounded in actionable solutions. The Once and Future Ocean explores the ocean’s impact on climate, fresh water, food, energy, health, security, sustainable development, community living, and cultural traditions. Neill proposes the creation of a “new hydraulic society” wherein water in all its cycles and conveyances will determine how we live – from our buildings and cities to the structures of governance in an increasingly populated world. He calls for a new ocean ethic and offers concrete examples of technologies and applications that already exist but have been suppressed by vested interests.
* The descriptions are adapted from copy provided by the publishers
*“The Once and Future Ocean: Notes Toward a New Hydraulic Society”, by Peter Neill (Leete Island Books 2016, 398 pages, $18.95 paperback)
Good News – Green Golf
Wow, I had the awesome experience to witness the behind the scenes transformation of big sports with zero landfill and zero waste during 7 days. With over 700,000 fans attending the Waste Management Phoenix Open, it was a platform to showcase environmental best practices and innovation in sustainable sport. The Golf Environment Organization (GEO) [2] recognized the Waste Management Phoenix Open as the first tournament in the world to achieve GEO Certified Tournament status. See what goes into transforming a desert stop on the PGA TOUR into the loudest, largest, and definitely greenest show on grass https://wmphoenixopen.com/sustainability/
[2] https://wmphoenixopen.com/waste-management-phoenix-open-the-largest-zero-waste-event-in-the-world/
Leave a Reply