With the pressures of climate change and the urgency to incorporate alternative energy resources like wind and solar, the fixation on the purported benefits of energy transition technologies overshadows a glaring reality — an absence of strategy around identifying and quantifying other life cycle externalities, such as the resulting waste disposal or environmental impacts. Continue Reading
Hydrogen has the potential to significantly transform the global energy landscape. “Turquoise” hydrogen presents an interesting opportunity as it introduces a carbon-to-value proposition that improves the commercial viability of the technology. Continue Reading
The circular economy should be viewed as one possible approach for progressing the sustainability agenda rather than an end in itself. Sustainable, or even better, regenerative systems should, however, be a fundamental principle of the circular economy. Circular processes are not necessarily sustainable by default but have the potential to be if the global net sustainability of the system is improved. Continue Reading
Circular economy (CE) principles are gaining momentum. Oftentimes used in conjunction or synonymously with CE is the term “sustainability.” However, although there is a relationship between sustainability and a CE, these two concepts are vastly distinct. Continue Reading
The atmospheric concentration of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) — the most potent greenhouse gas known to humanity and a chemical that is frequently used as an electrical insulator — is growing and thereby contributing to global warming. Should we worry? And what can be done to mitigate the risks? Continue Reading
The assumption that a lithium ion battery (LIB) powered electric vehicle is inherently safer and the risks are lower than those of gas-powered cars is based on a limited understanding of battery chemistry and fire science and considers only one segment of an overall complex picture. Continue Reading
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the waste, plastic, and recycling industries. More recyclables are being disposed of in the traditional waste processes. This challenges the goals of sustainability while stressing the need for a systems-level approach. Continue Reading