Blog Posts
A missed opportunity for linking health impacts of air pollution in UK and developing countries
The public in the UK and other developed countries are rightly concerned about the health impacts of air pollution, and our journalists are justified in keeping this topic on the agenda. Our media could so easily use this concern to highlight the massive impact on health, development, and the environment of energy poverty and air pollution from the continuing widespread reliance on solid fuels in the developing world, but are generally failing to do so. This topic, and the key policies and investment required to bring about a rapid, just and effective clean energy transition, need the attention and scrutiny of our best journalists, in the UK, other developed countries, and in the developing nations.
Can the IEA’s new initiative deliver clean cooking for Africa?
On 14 May 2024, the International Energy Agency hosted a high level Summit on Clean Cooking for Africa. This was potentially the most influential meeting ever held on a negelcted topic that is nevertheless vital for health, development, climate, gender equality, and the nevironment, for almost 1 billion of the world’s poorest people. Read here what was discussed, the concrete actions decided upon, and commentary on whether this initiative is likely to succeed in catalysing clean cooking energy across Africa by 2030.
New video: community health worker training to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in Africa
An all too common tragedy Most Kenyans could tell you a story of a relative, friend, or acquaintance who has died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In our new documentary film, published on the occasion of the historic International Energy Agency Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, Colonel Susan Mutua from the Kenyan Ministry of Health recounts her own story of one such tragic incident. Link: Our new documentary video on preventing the hidden burden of carbon monoxide poisoning in...
Magic Rides – 3: King Alfred’s Way Part 3
My blog of a 7-day (6-night) tour of Cycling UK’s fabulous 350 km King Alfred’s Way bikepacking route, an incredibly varied adventure through stunning landscapes and thousands of years of history
Rebellion Way: exploring the legacy of mediaeval white gold – Part B (Days 4 to 6)
My story of a 6 day/5 night tour of Cycling UK’s excellent Rebellion Way, a 400 km bike-packing route around Norfolk, ridden in the beautiful weather of early September 2023. The ride, around two-thirds of which is on roads and one-third on bridleways, runs through beautiful landscapes and is packed with fascinating historic sites. This blog (in two parts) is written from the perspective of older cyclists (like me! – aged 68); we are inevitably slower, but also have priorities that may differ from younger and/or other riders who may be more focused on completing the route quickly.
Rebellion Way: exploring the legacy of mediaeval white gold – Part A (Days 1 to 3)
My story of a 6 day/5 night tour of Cycling UK’s excellent Rebellion Way, a 400 km bike-packing route around Norfolk, ridden in the beautiful weather of early September 2023. The ride, around two-thirds of which is on roads and one-third on bridleways, runs through beautiful landscapes and is packed with fascinating historic sites. This blog (in two parts) is written from the perspective of older cyclists (like me! – aged 68); we are inevitably slower, but also have priorities that may differ from younger and/or other riders who may be more focused on completing the route quickly.
Why is investment in LPG such an important component of Africa’s transition to clean cooking?
Africa is lagging behind in achieving SDG-7 The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal-7 (SDG-7) sets the ambitious goal of affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, by 2030’. The importance of this for health, development and protection of the environment cannot be overstated - as illustrated here: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has repeatedly warned that Africa is way off realising this goal. In Africa Energy Outlook (2022), the Agency sets out a ‘Sustainable Africa...
Towards SDG-7 in Africa: LPG market investment a priority for clean cooking
If Africa is to meet its SDG-7 targets for clean, modern energy by 2030, and its people reap the health and development benefits, investment in LPG and other clean household fuels needs to be made now.
Magic Rides – 3: King Alfred’s Way Part 2
My blog of a 7-day (6-night) tour of Cycling UK’s fabulous 350 km King Alfred’s Way bikepacking route, an incredibly varied adventure through stunning landscapes and thousands of years of history
Magic Rides – 3: King Alfred’s Way Part 1
A biking trail to honour a wise king King Alfred is perhaps best known in popular mythology for burning cakes while sheltering in a peasant woman’s home, having fled Viking encroachments, and pre-occupied by weighty matters of the defence of his realm and people. Living from 848 (or it may have been 849) to 899 AD, and King of the Anglo-Saxons from 871 until his death, he should perhaps be better remembered as a wise, kind, and diligent monarch. During his reign, he successfully pushed back...
Magic Rides: 2 – Exploring the Great War at Cannock Chase
Great MTB trails and a whole lot more Mention Staffordshire's Cannock Chase to mountain bikers, and most likely the conversation will quickly turn to the best features of the two linked red-graded trails, Follow the Dog and the Monkey. And with good reason, as they are real classics in a great Forestry England location with a bike shop and rental, cafés, and much else. But there is so much more here at Cannock Chase, and not just in terms of trails. Catch a day with beautiful light, and the...
Magic Rides: 1 – A wild day on the Stiperstones
A wild, windy day biking across the Stiperstones, with all the ingredients for a truly memorable ride: great trails, stunning views, fascinating history and mysterious legends
Sustainable recovery and clean energy in low-income countries
I am planning a short commentary on the recent IEA Report 'Sustainable Recovery', published in June 2020. This will highlight the main findings on the impact of Covid-19 and the proposals for investment in the energy sector in low-income countries over the next three years. This report has already been explored in my article on community health worker training in Kenya. I will then outline plans for tracking the progress on policy and investment around clean and sustainable energy in Kenya and...