While increasing resistance against storms and drought is now a national priority, new economic and environmental resilience is also being built on rising waters further downstream where the Thames meets the sea and the UK’s modern trading links to the world. Jon Herbert looks at developments. Whatever the proven links with global warming, the prediction Read More …
Could a new energy source as large as the oil industry be waiting in the deeps? Jon Herbert looks at the potential of “fire-ice”. Methane clathrate could change your life. Not a term perhaps to trip lightly off the tongue, but nevertheless a possible gigantic source of energy that could upturn the established global geography, Read More …
Air pollution is now said to rival tobacco smoke as fatal to human health. In this article, Jon Herbert considers what the future might bring in the opening rounds of a war on poor air quality. New 60mph speed restrictions on the M1, in line with new EU air quality levels to cut traffic emissions, Read More …
In this season of new resolutions, reducing environmental footprints implies goodwill as well as good economics. However, vertical farming in the urban environment could soon make it increasingly possible to go a sustainable step further and grow food very locally to radically reduce land footprints too. Jon Herbert looks at the possibilities. In the not Read More …
Hydrogen could become the energy carrier that stores renewable power ready for the driver’s foot to go down on the accelerator. There are still many problems to overcome, but also new solutions on the horizon, says Jon Herbert. Hydrogen is in the news for more than one good reason. It has long been seen as Read More …
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2013 report reduces uncertainty, but seems to have lost much of its punch. Are the world, its leaders and the public tiring of green warnings, as the financial crisis and media spotlight move on? Jon Herbert reports. Climate change is an emotional subject for Christiana Figueres. Tearfully, she Read More …
More frequent severe storms with towering waves caused by global warming could make it increasingly difficult for the Government to meet its goal of maximising oil and gas extraction from the North Sea. Jon Herbert looks at the issues. The impact of climate change could cost hundreds of millions of pounds each year as intense Read More …
Renewable energy is poised to create tens of thousands of new jobs and supply chain opportunities across the UK, once investors see the right confidence signals from governments. Jon Herbert considers the boom that should be happening. From wild northern sea lochs to industrial estates in the heart of England, a latent mini-boom is in Read More …
The UK will press ahead with tough low-carbon energy measures at home, in Europe and globally despite growing concerns that rapid changes in the energy landscape will leave Britain adrift and uncompetitive. To do otherwise is a dangerous gamble, says Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey. Jon Herbert looks at the issues. Britain Read More …
Re-engineering the Earth’s climate may now be a possibility. But no one knows what man-made technical fixes might bring. Jon Herbert looks at massive ambitions. Global geo-engineering could be the ultimate Plan B. It won’t work for ever and carries huge risks. But it might also be our last practical option to maintain a habitable Read More …