???The Grumpy Optimists #137

Happy Monday. ??

Welcome back to another episode of The Grumpy Optimists, this time coming to you from the bullet train in Japan. A very strange feeling using a train service that’s punctual and efficient, UK, please take notes.

This week I’m covering the UK closing its final coal-fired power station, a big new sustainable aviation fuel deal and a controversial topic, how AI will actually be the catalyst for creating emission free electricity. I’d love to know your thoughts and whether Ben’s piece changed any ideas you had before reading it.

Oh and before you read, please do share The Grumpy Optimists with a friend, it makes me feel great.

?? Articles to read

?? UK becomes the first G7 country to phase out coal completely. On Monday the 30th September the UK's last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, closed down, ending the countries 142-year relationship with coal. In that time, the UK has dug up and burnt the equivalent of 3 inches of our country. This is a pivotal moment in the energy transition. Renewables now generate over 50% of the UK’s power, a dramatic shift from just 7% in 2010.

???Do humans really need to control our rivers? In this article Aidan MacCormick takes us on a journey about restoring natural river processes with the River Feshie in Scotland. We’ve become so accustomed to controlling nature that we don’t allow nature to thrive. Aidan writes about the rewilding of our rivers and the benefits it can bring. Plus the pictures are great.

?????TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM Sign Major SAF Deal. TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM signed a new MoU to supply an additional 1.5 million tons (nearly 1.9 billion litres) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over the next 10 years until 2035, building on their 2022 agreement.

???Why it matters. SAF can reduce CO? emissions by 75% to 90% over its lifecycle compared to conventional fuels. The fuel, made from non-food waste and residues, will be used to help Air France-KLM meet its target of a 30% reduction in CO? emissions per passenger/km by 2030.

??AI’s energy use is good for the planet. When you ask most people about the role of AI and climate change, they may say that it’s just causing wasted energy. In this article Ben James suggests differently, and I agree. AI uses lots of energy, that means we’ll need a lot more of it over the next decade. With renewable energy now the cheapest form of energy to build, it’s clear that AI will lead to a rapid rise in clean energy and battery solutions. In the article, Ben outlines three reasons why AI could be the push for practically free, limitless energy:

1. AI is a catalyst for clean energy deployment because demand increases.
2. Tech companies are revolutionising the energy sector with high revenue and investments bringing down the cost of deployment. Only last week it was announced that Microsoft is exploring green hydrogen at its site in Dublin.
3. More demand and more AI is leading to regulators needing to streamline regulatory barriers and speed up the pace of clean energy deployment, an issue the industry has faced for many years.

?? UK brewery adopts heat pump to cut emissions. Hepworth Brewery in West Sussex, is set to become the first in Britain to use a high-temperature heat pump instead of an oil boiler, significantly reducing its emissions (which can account for between 5-15% of brewery’s emissions). The new heat pump, designed by Futraheat, can produce 130°C steam, lowering the brewery’s fuel costs by 40% and recycling waste vapour from the brewing process.

?????China’s green growth is accelerating. Often seen as a problem in tackling the climate crisis, China’s rush to become a green superpower is worthy of praise. 66% of global solar and wind project are now in China with deployment of renewables beating targets and expectations. As a leader in batteries, renewable energy and EVs, China’s role in tackling the climate crisis is huge.

?? Italy launches greenwashing investigation into Shein’s environmental claims. Shein, famous for their negative impact on the planet are being investigated by the Italian competition authority for misleading claims about the sustainability of their clothes. The terms in question include misleading claims about the sustainability of its “evoluSHEIN” collection and a lack of transparency regarding the recyclability of its products. A recent study found that 40% of green claims in the EU were entirely unsubstantiated. Shocking.

?? Climates X Memes

That’s all for this week folks, thank you for reading. My song recommendation comes in the form of Bon Iver’s latest song, Speyside.

George, the Grumpy Optimist ??