Private energy alternatives pose complex implications for U.S. electric grid
With climate change intensifying the frequency of extreme weather events, public electrical grids in the U.S. are experiencing unprecedented strain. In response, consumers increasingly turn to private energy sources like generators and batteries.
A study published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists explores this shift, examining the demographics of private power adoption, its response to grid reliability issues, and broader societal impacts.
The study, led by Paul A. Brehm, Sarah Johnston, and Ross Milton, first finds that grid disruptions – such as those in California during wildfire seasons – have driven up battery purchases. Adoption rates are higher among affluent and rural households. This trend has prompted the authors to analyze how utilities and regulators may adjust, particularly in terms of whether to maintain current levels of investment in grid reliability.
While high-income households who own generators still contribute to grid maintenance costs, decreased dependency on public grid reliability may incentivize regulators to lower service investments, possibly reducing overall electricity costs. However, the study reveals mixed outcomes, with some households benefiting more from lower bills, while others, including some low-income households, could face challenges with declining grid reliability.
Journal Reference:
Paul A. Brehm, Sarah Johnston, and Ross Milton, ‘Backup Power: Public Implications of Private Substitutes for Electric Grid Reliability’, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists 11, 6 (2024). DOI: 10.1086/730158
Article Source:
Press Release/Material by University of Chicago Press Journals
Gender disparities persist in global climate negotiations
Gender inequity continues to shape global climate negotiations, argue researchers in an article for Lancet Planetary Health. In the lead-up to COP29, the team – led by scholars from the University of Cambridge – urges countries to address this imbalance, noting how women, girls, and gender-diverse people bear disproportionate health impacts from climate change.
The researchers call for more gender-inclusive climate policies that address specific vulnerabilities, especially since the initial COP29 organizing committee was exclusively male. The team’s analysis highlights barriers to gender parity in climate delegations, showing that women’s political representation is associated with stronger environmental policies but has been slow to reach parity worldwide.
The authors advocate for meaningful gender representation in climate discussions, emphasizing that representation alone does not always translate into policy impact. Genuine progress, they argue, requires addressing structural biases, enhancing participation, and acknowledging the diverse needs of women and gender minorities in policymaking.
Journal Reference:
Van Daalen, K.R., et al. ‘Bridging the gender, climate, and health gap: the road to COP29’, Lancet Planetary Health (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(24)00270-5
Article Source:
Press Release/Material by University of Cambridge
Global heat rise linked to higher risks for maternal and newborn health
The increasing global heat poses severe health risks for pregnant women and newborns, as detailed in a systematic review published in Nature Medicine.
Conducted by a team from Wits Planetary Health Research, this extensive review spans 198 studies across 66 countries, finding significant associations between heat exposure and adverse outcomes such as preterm births, gestational diabetes, and birth defects.
The study reveals that a mere 1°C rise in heat exposure correlates with a 4% increase in preterm birth odds, with these odds spiking by 26% during heatwaves. Prof. Matthew Chersich, Executive Director at Wits Planetary Health Research and co-author of the study, calls for urgent climate policies that prioritize maternal and neonatal health, underscoring the risks to low-income populations most affected by these temperature extremes.
“This is a pivotal moment for public health and climate action. Protecting the health of pregnant women and newborns must become a priority in our response to climate change” said lead author of the study Dr. Darshnika Lakhoo. “We hope these findings will catalyse change at the policy level, ensuring at-risk populations receive the support they need.”
This “living” review, set to be updated every 18-24 months, aims to fill gaps in climate-health impact research, especially for vulnerable populations, while pressing for climate adaptation measures that integrate these critical findings.
Journal Reference:
Lakhoo, D.P., Brink, N., Radebe, L., et al. ‘A systematic review and meta-analysis of heat exposure impacts on maternal, fetal, and neonatal health’, Nature Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03395-8
Article Source:
Press Release/Material by University of the Witwatersrand
Featured image credit: Gerd Altmann | Pixabay
