Guarantees of origin and their misuse in carbon footprint calculations
In the development of the international standard for product carbon footprint analysis, there are now forces arguing that so-called guarantees of origin (GO) should be used to calculate the greenhouse...
View ArticleExtinction footprints
It is a sad result of human civilisation that we are driving other species into extinction. A new study highlights the main driving forces – rich countries’ consumption. Humans have always affected...
View ArticleGermany: Solar influence on climate in public spotlight
Surprisingly, a book co-written by a well-known former German environmental activist presents a strong revisionist story and is able to capture both headlines and spot on the best-seller list. I read...
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Rich Pressure Poor Ecosystems
I just returned from my weekly trip to the supermarket: in addition to Kenyan roses, Brazilian melons, Israeli oranges, Dutch tomatoes, Kiwis from New Zealand, and potatoes from Saudi Arabia (!), I...
View ArticleEcological tragedy, economic naiveté
The tragic extinction of species, from the black rhinoceros to plants remaining undiscovered, is unfortunately one of the hallmarks of humans on the planet. This week, the Trondheim Conference of...
View ArticleCarbon footprint of hydro power
I took a deep breath after a brisk climb up the soft hill near the border to Sweden. The sun peaked out under the clouds and the light was beautifully reflected by the water of Nesjøen, while reindeer...
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What’s new in the IPCC report
After 4 years of intensive work, the fifth assessment report of climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has finally been published. It says that it is urgent to begin...
View ArticleBreathe easier with renewable energy
If we want to limit air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting unmet demand in developing countries, renewable electricity is a promising option, as our new research shows. By...
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We can reach 2°C if we *replace* polluting technology
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that hope is not forsaken: rigorous climate politics locally and nationally has spurred development of new technology sooner than expected. Increased...
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Carbon pricing improves economics of energy
The Economics of Energy – What is the cost-effectiveness of energy and climate policies? In a panel debate with key European policy makers hosted by GE and organized by ScienceBusiness; I emphasized...
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Industrial Ecology – Reflexions
The entire team of PhD students, PostDocs and professors on the steps of the main building, 17 October 2014 In 2003, I moved to Trondheim to become Director of the Industrial Ecology Programme...
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Alternative climate theory in shatters
An alternative theory for climate change based on the influence of cosmic radiation lead to prominent predictions of an imminent cooling of global temperatures. Three years after the book by Fritz...
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The Carbon Footprint of Capital
We think of capital, the assets we use in production, as heavy: machines, buildings, infrastructure, trucks and railroads. Being composed mostly of cement and steel, we would expect their production to...
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Does ‘green energy’ have hidden health and environmental costs?
Edgar Hertwich, Yale University; Anders Arvesen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Sangwon Suh, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Thomas Gibon, Norwegian University of Science...
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How to force down the US climate impact
While Donald Trump withdraws the US from the Paris climate agreement, the world has tools to reduce the US carbon footprint As the world is in shock about Donald Trump’s erratic but not unexpected...
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Energy efficiency offers win-win for climate, health, and ecosystems
A potential increase in metal consumption emerges as only concern in a broad-based investigation of the clean-energy transition The history of environmental protection is full of unforeseen...
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Metals use tied to economic upswings
Will more expensive metals impede economic growth in the US? As the US government justifies new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports with their military importance, the role of metals in society comes...
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Science Cannot Stop Global Warming
Science Cannot Stop Global Warming With current efforts or those committed to under the Paris agreement, there is absolutely no chance that humanity will limit the warming of the Earth’s surface to an...
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