I have written numerous posts on climate change, its consequences and how to achieve a sustainable energy supply. The e-book ‘dossier duurzame energie’ summarises these posts. Most relate to the Dutch situation and are not translated. The posts that have been translated cover topics with a broader scope. They are clustered into two groups. The first deals with aspects of sustainable energy production; the second on the need for a circular economy.
1. Energy
The social origin of global warming
October 30, 2020
The posts below deal with the challenges of Earthlings and also with the prospects of bringing humane cities closer. These posts represent the most important findings of my e-book Cities of the future. Always humane. Smart if helpful, updates and supplements included. The English version of this book can be downloaded for free here and the Dutch…
Eleven building blocks for the transition to sustainable energy
September 8, 2021
I summarized my favorite transitions towards sustainable energy production in eleven short statements….
Climate policy, where fighting global warming and poverty meet
January 11, 2021
After the eradication of Covid-19, the world must focus again on the two epoch-making challenges, mitigation of global warming and fighting poverty. According to the World Economic Forum, the mayor threats of humanity. By selecting proper policy tools, both challenges can be addressed at once….
The holy grail: Full transparent window and solar panel at the same time
April 3, 2019
Buildings account for 40% of the global energy use. Therefore, urban developers try to realise net zero-energy buildings (NZEBs). The forthcoming integration of photovoltaics (BIPV) in the billions of windows is a big step towards this goal….
Hydrogen: Smart but as yet a promise for the future
February 18, 2019
Hydrogen has many applications as a source of energy, albeit that its production deploying green electricity is rather expensive. Import of hydrogen is a solution…
Promises of hydrogen: exaggerated or underestimated
February 25, 2021
Whether the substantial potential of hydrogen is realized depends in the first place from the availability of cheap sources of wind or solar energy and the willingness of the western world to engage in new dependency from the ‘former’ oil producing countries who can deliver cheap hydrogen….
Energy storage: The missing link
February 4, 2019
Until recently a major problem that retained the breakthrough of renewable energy, was its irregular supply. Therefore, conventional energy plants had to be kept available for peak supply. The solution to this problem, energy storage, is within reach….
2. Towards a circular economy
Stop the depletion of the earth
March 15, 2021
Our economy is characterized by the take-make-waste principle, which results in an excess of cheap mass products that are thrown away at the end of their life cycle. Moreover, most of the raw materials are not recycled or reused in low quality. The result is a large amount of waste, pollution and the rapid…
Tools for circular construction
August 28, 2021
The impact of circular principles in the construction sector is huge, because buildings are responsible for more than 50% of the total use of materials on earth, including valuable types such as steel, copper, aluminium and zinc. Moreover, they produce about 40% of all greenhouse gases….
Plastics: The unnecessary paragon of the take-make-waste economy
May 3, 2021
The production of plastics contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and plastic waste threats our health. So far, the design of plastics reflects the ‘take-make-waste’ principle: Every year more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced worldwide, half of which are for single use. Only 10% or all plastics are made from recycled material….
Energy-neutral houses are within reach
January 23, 2021
Buildings and residential houses are the largest energy consumers in cities (heating, warming, cooling and lightning), not to speak about the production of building materials. They account for 40% of the global energy consumption. Massive realization of energy-neutral buildings (NZEBs) is therefore top priority for urban developers….
Smart building: The long way to a circular economy
January 21, 2019
This post focusses on the construction sector, which includes all activities related to demolition, renovation, transformation and building. Its impact is large; buildings account for more than 50% of the total use of materials on earth, including valuable ones such as steel, copper, aluminum and zinc. In the Netherlands, 25% of CO2 emissions and 40% of the energy use comes from the built environment….
Regional differences in the paths towards a circular economy
April 8, 2021
Countries with a lower income are more “circular” than richer counterparts. Many residents simply cannot afford to throw away valuable material. In the informal sector, a great deal of economic activity revolves around sorting and reusing waste, including imported waste from rich countries. Every year Circle-Economy is publishing its Circularity Report. In the 2020 version, circular growth paths for three groups of countries are differentiated.
How can cities make the difference, regarding the realization of circular goals
June 21, 2021
Cities can make the difference. Firstly, by bringing parties together, developing inspiring goals, removing barriers arising from existing regulations, facilitating sharing, stimulating innovative research, supporting start-ups that contribute to circular solutions and providing financial incentives, for example, by differentiating tax rates. Secondly, by making circular plans in areas where the city government is primarily responsible….
Amsterdam: Heading for a circular economy
March 19, 2019
Amsterdam is making progress. In 2015, the municipality explored opportunities for a circular economy, which have been published in Amsterdam Circular: Vision and roadmap for city and region[3]. Dozens of projects have been started, albeit mostly on a small scale and starting from a learning-by-doing perspective. The report Amsterdam circular; evaluation and action perspectives[4](2017) is an account of the evaluation of these projects. It concludes that a circular economy is realistic.
Music: Listen, Look and Enjoy 