Author: Speedandscale

  • Some Ho, Ho, Hopes for 2026 and Beyond

    In 2026 and beyond, advancements in clean energy, climate action, and innovation offer hope for addressing climate change. Key themes include focusing on the business case for clean energy, increasing public funding for climate technologies, utilizing AI for innovation and energy efficiency, accelerating deployment of low-carbon energy, and promoting electrification for global decarbonization. The need for year-round, real-economy action and increased climate ambition is emphasized, along with the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge in the pursuit of climate solutions.

    https://speedandscale.com/newsletter/some-ho-ho-hopes-for-2026-and-beyond/

  • Amory Lovins on Energy Efficiency: Why We Need Demand-Side Climate Action

    Energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins believes that reaching net zero emissions is possible by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, conserving energy, and removing any remaining carbon. He emphasizes the importance of conservation on the demand side, stating that the cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy that is not used. Lovins suggests that existing technology could make energy five times more efficient by 2060 through measures such as advanced transmission wires, integrative design in buildings, smarter structural design in construction, and the use of ultralight materials in transport. By reducing energy consumption, fossil fuels can be displaced faster, leading to significant emissions reductions. Global coal consumption reached an all-time high in 2024, hindering efforts to limit global warming, but the rise in renewable power capacity, solar and wind generation outpacing global electricity demand, and innovative solutions such as low-carbon cement making and green hydrogen-based steelmaking show promising steps towards a sustainable future.

    https://speedandscale.com/newsletter/amory-lovins-on-energy-efficiency-why-we-need-demand-side-climate-action/