By Drs. Samantha Lawler and Aaron Boley, the Conversation via UBC News
A giant mirror to create “sunlight on demand” was just approved by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), despite opposition from astronomers and the public, and real safety concerns.
Continue reading The U.S. just approved a giant space mirror to test ‘sunlight on demand.’ Low Earth orbit is getting weird
By David Pick-up and Kari Hyde, Pembina Institute
Canada needs more electricity — fast. In part, this is due to the projected growth of data centres that can power artificial intelligence and the increasing demands of our digital services. Both the federal and Alberta governments see data centre development as a compelling opportunity to attract investment and position Canada to benefit from the growing role of AI in areas ranging from health and research, to productivity and innovation. At the same time, policymakers are increasingly focused on building Canadian data sovereignty and ensuring appropriate protections are in place as the technology continues to evolve.
Yet, at the heart of the increasing integration of AI into our lives is an important question: how can we power data centres without driving up energy bills, driving up harmful emissions or putting too much pressure on the grid?
This blog explores what the challenge looks like in Alberta’s natural gas–reliant grid and what the expansion of data centres could mean for affordability in the years to come.
Continue reading Data centres, rising demand, and Alberta’s energy bills
Press release from the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative
Military spending has been increasing for more than a decade, reaching US$2.7 trillion in 2024 and US$2.88 trillion in 2025. Meanwhile, there is a US$4 trillion dollar shortfall in funding needed to achieve the world’s Sustainable Development Goals and of that, a US$2 trillion funding gap for climate and energy transition action. Militarism, climate change and environmental destruction are interconnected crises. Addressing these risks requires redirecting funding away from war towards global climate justice with transitioning away from fossil fuels as a core tenant of a reallocation framework via a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
Continue reading The World Spends Close to US$3 Trillion on War While Efforts to Address Climate Change and Foster a Just Energy Transition Face a Funding Shortfall of US$2 Trillion
Europe leads the world in the struggle to reduce emissions – and the rise of average global temperatures. According to Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme, Europe is warming at double the average rate, 0.4°C per decade as opposed to 0.2°C. Only the Arctic is warming up faster. While the world is on the threshold of 1.5°C, in Europe the number “is around 2.4°C, and in the Arctic, it’s even higher at 3.3°C.”
Continue reading Why Europe leads the World In Rising Temperatures
Statement by IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol:
The IEA is closely monitoring the situation in oil markets following recent developments in the conflict in the Middle East.
The escalation in hostilities affecting the Strait of Hormuz and energy infrastructure in the region increases security of supply concerns and uncertainty over the market outlook. Threats to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which has become increasingly important as a route to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbate these concerns further.
For the moment, crude oil markets continue to benefit from several cushioning factors.
Continue reading IEA Executive Director’s statement on oil markets
