THIS WEEK
Elon Musk brings the batteries, the problem with children, and that story that scared the hell out of you should scare the hell out of you.
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ELECTRICITY
Ahead by a century
“Oil and gas was the largest investment source for 100 years. This changed in 2016.” Those are the words of Laszlo Varro, chief economist of the International Energy Agency. Last Tuesday, the agency revealed that electricity attracted more investment than fossil fuels for the first time ever. And most of it, 80 per cent, went to renewable energy and networks.
The reason is electrification. That is, the move to shift everything off fossil fuels and onto the electricity grid—like cars and home heating. Ensuring that electricity grid is clean is paramount, of course, and already the case for two-thirds of Canada, thanks to hydro.
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Big Oil is taking notice
Electric cars will reduce oil demand by 8 million barrels by 2040, according to a new study from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, which says OPEC quintupled its forecast for electric cars last year. Quintupled: there's a word you don't get to say every day.
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Rainy day funds
The U.K.'s most influential Canadian—Bank of England Governor Mark Carney—has urged banks to tackle the financial risks of climate change. Eleven major banks representing more than $7 trillion are now doing just that.
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Batteries included—and then some
While some Australian politicians are considering coal-oriented solutions to South Australia's frequent blackouts, Elon Musk has put another (better) option on the table, promising to build the world's largest battery. Here's a good take on the issue.
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And now for an inconvenient truth
The number one way to reduce your carbon footprint by far? Have one fewer child, says a new study. Other high-impact options include getting rid of your car (or switching to an EV), flying less and going vegetarian.
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Some stories should go viral
While we often focus on clean energy's positive developments, make no mistake about it: we should all be terrified of climate change. If you haven't already, read the New York Magazine story everyone's talking about—and then make your friends read it. And before you criticize the piece for being overly negative, Vox has an equally excellent takedown of its naysayers. Though as Joe Romm puts it, “If there is one critique of the NY Magazine piece that sticks, it is that Wallace-Wells fails to explain clearly that we are not doomed. We are simply choosing to be doomed.”
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Is carbon pollution dragging down your investment portfolio? The latest report from Genus Capital Management (a sponsor of Clean Energy Review) explains why you should examine the carbon intensity of companies you invest in. Get it here.
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FRONT BURNER
Green Energy Doors Open B.C. 2017
Sept. 22-24, 2017 | B.C. and Ontario
Seeing is believing. Join the British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association this fall as it hosts Green Energy Doors Open, which will showcase clean energy projects from across the province. Learn more. (Live in Ontario? Find events near you.)
Oct. 3-5, 2017 | Montreal
CanWEA 2017: Annual Conference and Exhibition
The Canadian Wind Energy Association's annual conference and exhibition is Canada's premier wind power event of the year. In 2016, 1500 people attended the three-day event, alongside 150 exhibitors and sponsors, 50 speakers and two high-profile ministers. If those numbers blow you away (or toward Montreal), you can learn more.
Oct. 1-4, 2017
GRC Annual Meeting & GEA GeoExpo+
If you understood that, then this is the conference for you. The Geothermal Resources Council and Geothermal Energy Association host the 41st annual conference in Salt Lake City. Subsidies are available for Canadian Geothermal Energy Association corporate members. Learn more.
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IMAGE & MEDIA CREDITS
Featured photo: Clean Energy Canada
Chart: The Guardian
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