Calum Brown

Dec 23, 2024 | scotsman.com | Calum Brown

Every year, trillions of dollars are invested in global markets that contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. Creating markets in ‘natural capital’ could be a powerful way to tackle these crisesSome of the challenges of life in the Highlands, like rain and midges, are here to stay. Others have already persisted far too long. Many of these long-term but surmountable challenges are linked through a single feature: the land. Land ownership in Scotland is incredibly concentrated.

Oct 11, 2024 | nature.com | Ankita Saxena |Calum Brown |Almut Arneth |Mark Rounsevell

Future changes in solar radiation and rising temperatures will likely reduce global solar photovoltaic potential, but advancing photovoltaic technologies could counteract these effects. We investigate the potential of photovoltaic to satisfy energy demands given climate change and technological development. We find that conventional photovoltaic will require 0.5 to 1.2% of global land area to meet projected energy demands by 2085 without accounting for climate change effects. When considering climate impacts, this requirement increases to 0.7–1.5% of the global land area. However, utilising advanced photovoltaic technologies can reduce this area to 0.3–1.2%, effectively mitigating climate impacts. Regional climate change impacts vary substantially, resulting in photovoltaic potential decreases of up to 3% in Latin America and the Caribbean, and by up to 8% in South Asia. Our results suggest that technology-driven increases in future global photovoltaic energy production can more than compensate for the climate related reductions. Advanced photovoltaic technologies require less land to meet energy demand by 2085 than conventional technologies and effectively mitigate climate change impacts, according to an analysis that combines data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, climate scenarios, and energy demand data.

Nov 6, 2023 | cruisetradenews.com | Calum Brown

The cruise world is slowly turning greener, attracting those who consider themselves more environmentally conscious. However, it’s led to an industry-wide debate – can ships be renovated and upcycled without having to order a brand-new leviathan? Calum Brown looks for the answers. Remember the Toyota Prius? Japan’s hybrid family car was supposedly designed to massage the trees and save the earth.

Jul 21, 2023 | cruisetradenews.com | Calum Brown

Headlines are being dominated by the decision to ban cruise ships from Amsterdam city centre. Yes, the world is changing, but it’s hard not to feel as though Amsterdam city council has jumped the gun, says Calum Brown. Quite frankly, employing the cruise industry as a scapegoat in matters regarding pollution and excessive visitor numbers makes for a false economy. Although Dutch politicians claim that cruise ships are not in line with the city’s sustainable ambitions, this raises further questions.

Jun 29, 2023 | cruisetradenews.com | Calum Brown

Stornoway has exclusively been a destination for smaller vessels, but that’s set to change. A new deepwater port will open for 2024. However, concern remains that the island won’t cope with such an influx. Calum Brown investigates. Facing into Stornoway’s trademark seaspray atop the cusp of a bracken-strewn viewpoint, grasses tumbling down to expose crashing waves over baron rocks, it’s hard to ignore the beauty of Scotland’s Hebridean settlement. There’s more than atmospheric solace on offer, too.