Francesco Bassetti, Author at Foresight

Nuclear Power Feeling the Heat

For the second time in less than one month Europe has been hit by an extreme heatwave. This time high temperatures have caused French nuclear power stations to decrease energy outputs due to unsafe levels of heat.

Renewable Energy: Powering Jobs and Growth

A record breaking 11 million jobs in 2018: as renewables continue to generate employment, policy makers and businesses are beginning to see beyond the purely environmental benefits and recognise the broad socio-economic opportunities and benefits that renewables can bring

Reaching a Scientific Consensus on Food

Agriculture, fisheries and livestock production produce around one fifth of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, whilst unhealthy food kills more people than alcohol, drug and tobacco use combined. The paradox is that, whilst 2.1 billion people are overweight, 821 million go to bed hungry every night. Science based research on sustainable diets, such as the EAT-Lancet report, can help reach a scientific consensus on what defines a healthy and sustainable diet, and hence help food production and consumption become a powerful tool in both climate change mitigation and increasing human welfare.

Climate Science is Not Negotiable

As a record-breaking heatwave hit Europe, UN climate talks were underway in Bonn, Germany. However, things were not running smoothly: in a highly contentious move, a group of oil-producing countries led by Saudi Arabia refused to “welcome” the IPCC Special Report on 1.5C, citing “scientific gaps” in the report and therefore challenging the scientific basis of future decarbonisation plans. In response, the Alliance of Small Island States has voiced their support of the report and denounced the move as a negation of climate science.

The Relationship Between Extreme Weather and Climate Change

Extreme weather is becoming increasingly common. Most recently, a record breaking heatwave in Greenland has gone viral thanks to the image of sled dogs wading through water where there should be ice. However, relating single weather events to climate change is problematic and, although these instances can act as indicators of a trend and eye-openers for public opinion, it is important to distinguish between single weather events and climate change.

For a New Boost to Climate Policy. Economists’ Plea for Carbon Pricing

Manchester – 27 June 2019. Economists make a plea to address climate change more effectively and to adopt the best solution we have so far:

Securing Water in a Warming World

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Global Water Partnership (GWP) have joined hands in a Framework Memorandum for Integrated Water Resources Management. A welcome piece of

Driving the Future: What Cars (and the Automotive Sector) Will Look Like Moving Forward

A recent study by the ifo Institute has called into question the green credentials of electric vehicles, indicating that over their entire lifecycle certain models

Environmental Migrants: Up to 1 Billion by 2050

There are currently 64 million forced migrants in the world fleeing wars, hunger, persecution and a growing force: climate change. UN forecasts estimate that there

Emperor Penguins Treading on Thin Ice

Climate change is drastically altering the weather patterns and ice conditions that enable emperor penguins, the icons of the Antarctic, to reproduce. The Halley Bay colony, the second largest in the world, in the Weddell Sea has failed to raise chicks for the last three years, leading to discussions on how to monitor climate change and the ability of animals to adapt in a changing world.

Over 1 Million Species Threatened With Extinction

In an unusually alarming tone, a new UN report reveals that nature’s decline has reached “unprecedented” levels, with species extinction rates increasing and global responses remaining insufficient. The erosion of the environment and its wellbeing is the most damming assessment yet of man’s impact on Planet Earth and reiterates the need for transformative change to restore and protect nature.

Sir. David Attenborough Gives us the Facts on Climate Change

On the 18th of April the BBC brought the familiar and soothing voice of David Attenborough back to TV screens with a new documentary: Climate Change – The Facts. However, this time, his silky voice carries a sense of urgency, taking the viewer on a heart wrenching journey that issues a clear warning: the climate is changing and we have to listen to the facts.

Tags

Francesco Bassetti

Quick links