Dominique De Munck
@dominiquedemunck.bsky.social
Climate Change; Energy; Politics; Economy; Innovation; Computer Science; Remote Sensing; Road Safety; Sustainable Mobility
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Makes European demography look good by comparison
In 2015, China welcomed almost 16.5mn babies. A decade later, that figure has more than halved to just under 8mn. ft.trib.al/FP4rMmC
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Makes European demography look good by comparison
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
NEW | India is forging a different #energytransition path to China 🇮🇳⚡
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut — using cheap solar to meet rising demand, relying far less on fossil fuels, and electrifying transport earlier.
https://loom.ly/UFDLamw
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut — using cheap solar to meet rising demand, relying far less on fossil fuels, and electrifying transport earlier.
https://loom.ly/UFDLamw
January 23, 2026 at 10:01 AM
NEW | India is forging a different #energytransition path to China 🇮🇳⚡
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut — using cheap solar to meet rising demand, relying far less on fossil fuels, and electrifying transport earlier.
https://loom.ly/UFDLamw
Where China built first on coal and gas, India is taking a shortcut — using cheap solar to meet rising demand, relying far less on fossil fuels, and electrifying transport earlier.
https://loom.ly/UFDLamw
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Stamp set with Belgian trains to mark the centenary of the Belgian railway company. (Belgian state railways got started in 1834, this is the centenary of successor company established in September 1926) The B logo was designed by architect Henry van de Velde in 1936.
January 22, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Stamp set with Belgian trains to mark the centenary of the Belgian railway company. (Belgian state railways got started in 1834, this is the centenary of successor company established in September 1926) The B logo was designed by architect Henry van de Velde in 1936.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Wat liep er mis met vermogensbelastingen in het verleden, en hoe kan het beter?
www.taxobservatory.eu/publication/...
www.taxobservatory.eu/publication/...
Wealth taxes and high-net-worth individuals in Europe: Five Lessons for the Twenty-First Century - Eutax
www.taxobservatory.eu
January 20, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Wat liep er mis met vermogensbelastingen in het verleden, en hoe kan het beter?
www.taxobservatory.eu/publication/...
www.taxobservatory.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Wind and solar power generation growth in China last year was roughly equal to the total power generation of France or Texas, and covered all of the growth in China's electricity use, even as demand grew at over 5%.
January 20, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Wind and solar power generation growth in China last year was roughly equal to the total power generation of France or Texas, and covered all of the growth in China's electricity use, even as demand grew at over 5%.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Beef has a huge environmental cost. And the only real fix is to consume less of it.
drawdown.org/insights/gre...
drawdown.org/insights/gre...
Greenwashing and denial won’t solve beef’s enormous climate problems
Dive into the world of beef's environmental impact, from deforestation to climate change. Learn about the myths of "eco-friendly" beef and the industry's narratives.
drawdown.org
January 19, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Beef has a huge environmental cost. And the only real fix is to consume less of it.
drawdown.org/insights/gre...
drawdown.org/insights/gre...
Inside the factory, let's hope we can get this production profitable in Europe
VW-Tochter PowerCo startet Serienproduktion in eigener Batteriefabrik - www.tagesschau.de/inland/regio...
Herz der E-Autos: VW startet Batteriezellproduktion in eigener Fabrik
Nach rund drei Jahren Bauzeit hat am Mittwoch in der neuen Batteriezellfabrik der VW-Tochter PowerCO in Salzgitter die Serienproduktion begonnen. Die "Einheitszelle" soll helfen, Elektromobilität für ...
www.tagesschau.de
January 20, 2026 at 6:46 AM
Inside the factory, let's hope we can get this production profitable in Europe
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
The latest data confirms what we've long feared: Forest fires are becoming more widespread and destructive around the globe.
WRI calculated that forest fires now burn more than twice as much tree cover each year as they did two decades ago.
WRI calculated that forest fires now burn more than twice as much tree cover each year as they did two decades ago.
Mapped: how the world is losing its forests to wildfires
Mapped: how the world is losing its forests to wildfires
Wildfires now destroy twice as much tree cover per year as two decades ago – a crisis fuelled by climate change
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:44 PM
The latest data confirms what we've long feared: Forest fires are becoming more widespread and destructive around the globe.
WRI calculated that forest fires now burn more than twice as much tree cover each year as they did two decades ago.
WRI calculated that forest fires now burn more than twice as much tree cover each year as they did two decades ago.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
🧵A political/media guide to the "truth" about net-zero
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
January 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
🧵A political/media guide to the "truth" about net-zero
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
1) Add up costs to install & run a net-zero energy system
2) Pretend fossil-fuelled alternatives wld be free
3) Do say "eco zealots are bankrupting us"
4) Don't say "free cars if we scrap net-zero" cos it sounds ridiculous
5) That's it!
1/10
"Put these two efficiencies together, and we find that you could drive 70 times as many miles in a solar-powered electric car as you could in one running on biofuels from the same amount of land."
ourworldindata.org/biofuel-land....
ourworldindata.org/biofuel-land....
Putting solar panels on land used for biofuels would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks to go electric
The world dedicates a Poland-sized area of land to liquid biofuels. Is there a more efficient way to generate energy?
ourworldindata.org
January 13, 2026 at 5:20 PM
"Put these two efficiencies together, and we find that you could drive 70 times as many miles in a solar-powered electric car as you could in one running on biofuels from the same amount of land."
ourworldindata.org/biofuel-land....
ourworldindata.org/biofuel-land....
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
“If Americans increased their protein intake by just 25%…it would require about 100 million acres of additional ag land each year — an area larger than Michigan, Ohio & Pennsylvania combined — & increase annual emissions by 100s of millions of tons of CO2e, according to @worldresources.bsky.social.”
Opinion | The New Food Pyramid, Brought to You by Big Meat
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:06 PM
“If Americans increased their protein intake by just 25%…it would require about 100 million acres of additional ag land each year — an area larger than Michigan, Ohio & Pennsylvania combined — & increase annual emissions by 100s of millions of tons of CO2e, according to @worldresources.bsky.social.”
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
There is reason to believe that Denmark soon will decide to implement universal road pricing.
Read here why and how: concito.dk/en/concito-b...
#dktrp #dkgreen #dkpol
Read here why and how: concito.dk/en/concito-b...
#dktrp #dkgreen #dkpol
The (Danish) case for general road pricing
Paying to drive, dependent on where and when, provides both revenue for road maintenance and a cost-efficient way to handle road congestion. Yet, it is a politically hard decision to introduce such a ...
concito.dk
January 9, 2026 at 2:02 PM
There is reason to believe that Denmark soon will decide to implement universal road pricing.
Read here why and how: concito.dk/en/concito-b...
#dktrp #dkgreen #dkpol
Read here why and how: concito.dk/en/concito-b...
#dktrp #dkgreen #dkpol
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
We got the upside-down dietary guidelines from political maneuvering, not a science-based process. It has a scientific committee, touted as backing this report, but it likely installed to justify pre-held beliefs of RFK Jr & MAHA, who love animal products 1/ www.businessinsider.com/rfk-new-diet...
No sugar, more fat: RFK Jr's 5 big changes to the American food pyramid
Kennedy said his new guidelines undo previous advice. Full fat dairy is back, sugar is out, and highly processed foods come under fire.
www.businessinsider.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:56 PM
We got the upside-down dietary guidelines from political maneuvering, not a science-based process. It has a scientific committee, touted as backing this report, but it likely installed to justify pre-held beliefs of RFK Jr & MAHA, who love animal products 1/ www.businessinsider.com/rfk-new-diet...
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Long-term air pollution exposure and mental health in French adults of the CONSTANCES cohort: role of Black Carbon independently of PM2.5
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"PM2.5, BC and NO2 were associated with higher psychological distress."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"PM2.5, BC and NO2 were associated with higher psychological distress."
Long-term air pollution exposure and mental health in French adults of the CONSTANCES cohort: role of Black Carbon independently of PM2.5
Ambient air pollution could be associated with poor mental health. Black carbon (BC) has been highlighted as a crucial component of particulate matter…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Long-term air pollution exposure and mental health in French adults of the CONSTANCES cohort: role of Black Carbon independently of PM2.5
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"PM2.5, BC and NO2 were associated with higher psychological distress."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
"PM2.5, BC and NO2 were associated with higher psychological distress."
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
This chart documents one of humanity’s greatest achievements, in my view.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
January 6, 2026 at 12:02 PM
This chart documents one of humanity’s greatest achievements, in my view.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
We just lived through the fastest population growth in human history.
It would have been impressive if food supplies had merely kept pace — but on every continent, they grew even faster than the population.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
This is great news for Germany and numerous EU countries around Germany. These N-S HVDC lines cannot be built fast enough.
Germany greenlights record 2,000 km of high-voltage grid extensions in 2025
Country approves several major high-voltage direct current connections from windy north to industrial centres in the south
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany...
Country approves several major high-voltage direct current connections from windy north to industrial centres in the south
www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany...
January 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
This is great news for Germany and numerous EU countries around Germany. These N-S HVDC lines cannot be built fast enough.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Dit klinkt misschien onaardig, maar dit is echt heel goed nieuws!
Er gaan veel meer mensen door door luchtvervuiliing door houtstook dan door het rijden door rood licht. En dat accepteren we (terecht) ook niet. Code rood/oranje? Niet stoken!
Complimenten aan Amersfoort!
nos.nl/artikel/2595...
Er gaan veel meer mensen door door luchtvervuiliing door houtstook dan door het rijden door rood licht. En dat accepteren we (terecht) ook niet. Code rood/oranje? Niet stoken!
Complimenten aan Amersfoort!
nos.nl/artikel/2595...
Amersfoort legt eerste boetes op voor houtstook tijdens verbod
In Amersfoort geldt sinds vorig najaar een verbod op het aansteken van de houtkachel.
nos.nl
December 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Dit klinkt misschien onaardig, maar dit is echt heel goed nieuws!
Er gaan veel meer mensen door door luchtvervuiliing door houtstook dan door het rijden door rood licht. En dat accepteren we (terecht) ook niet. Code rood/oranje? Niet stoken!
Complimenten aan Amersfoort!
nos.nl/artikel/2595...
Er gaan veel meer mensen door door luchtvervuiliing door houtstook dan door het rijden door rood licht. En dat accepteren we (terecht) ook niet. Code rood/oranje? Niet stoken!
Complimenten aan Amersfoort!
nos.nl/artikel/2595...
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
The one validated intervention to slow aging and extend healthspan is not for sale.
It's exercise.
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It's exercise.
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
The one validated intervention to slow aging and extend healthspan is not for sale.
It's exercise.
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
It's exercise.
sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Hell yeah: @science.org's official Breakthrough of the Year for 2025 is ... [drumroll] ...
... the unstoppable rise & spread of renewable energy.
... the unstoppable rise & spread of renewable energy.
Science’s 2025 Breakthrough of the Year: The unstoppable rise of renewable energy
Clean energy infrastructure is being deployed with unmatched scale and speed—and China is leading the way
www.science.org
December 19, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Hell yeah: @science.org's official Breakthrough of the Year for 2025 is ... [drumroll] ...
... the unstoppable rise & spread of renewable energy.
... the unstoppable rise & spread of renewable energy.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Fossil-fuel extraction massively outweighs critical mineral mining needs (quite literally)
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
– We dig up tens of billions of tonnes of stuff every year to produce coal, oil & gas
– Raw-material extraction for critical minerals would be a fraction of that, even under net-zero
1/2
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
No surprise: new analysis shows that heat pumps can deliver excellent performance even in older buildings with no meaningful correlation between building age & heat pump efficiency.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
December 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
No surprise: new analysis shows that heat pumps can deliver excellent performance even in older buildings with no meaningful correlation between building age & heat pump efficiency.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
This is in line with my own experience of having a heat pump in a 1880 Victorian home with only modest insulation.
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
DHL Deutsche Post has installed six HPC chargers for its expanding fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles. A further 164 HPC charging points will be installed at various sites by 2027.
DHL already has a fleet of 35,000 electric delivery vans (+ 40,000 charging points).
group.dhl.com/de/presse/pr...
DHL already has a fleet of 35,000 electric delivery vans (+ 40,000 charging points).
group.dhl.com/de/presse/pr...
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
DHL Deutsche Post has installed six HPC chargers for its expanding fleet of electric heavy-duty vehicles. A further 164 HPC charging points will be installed at various sites by 2027.
DHL already has a fleet of 35,000 electric delivery vans (+ 40,000 charging points).
group.dhl.com/de/presse/pr...
DHL already has a fleet of 35,000 electric delivery vans (+ 40,000 charging points).
group.dhl.com/de/presse/pr...
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
While we've been quite good at predicting life-expectancy gains, we've systematically been too optimistic about future fertility trends. That means there's a significant risk we're underestimating population ageing today too.
We better prepare pension systems for a low-fertility future.
2/4
We better prepare pension systems for a low-fertility future.
2/4
November 27, 2025 at 9:05 PM
While we've been quite good at predicting life-expectancy gains, we've systematically been too optimistic about future fertility trends. That means there's a significant risk we're underestimating population ageing today too.
We better prepare pension systems for a low-fertility future.
2/4
We better prepare pension systems for a low-fertility future.
2/4
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
Very glad to see our joint paper on smart tariffs and services in Europe now published!
What do these tariffs do, where are they emerging and what inputs do they use to optimise EV charging, heating and other household loads?
What do these tariffs do, where are they emerging and what inputs do they use to optimise EV charging, heating and other household loads?
NEW RESEARCH:
Demand flexibility becomes more and more attractive.
We found a whopping 480 smart tariffs and services across Europe — a 3x increase since our 2021/2022 study.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@jaapburger.eu @regassistproj.bsky.social @ecioxford.bsky.social
Demand flexibility becomes more and more attractive.
We found a whopping 480 smart tariffs and services across Europe — a 3x increase since our 2021/2022 study.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@jaapburger.eu @regassistproj.bsky.social @ecioxford.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Very glad to see our joint paper on smart tariffs and services in Europe now published!
What do these tariffs do, where are they emerging and what inputs do they use to optimise EV charging, heating and other household loads?
What do these tariffs do, where are they emerging and what inputs do they use to optimise EV charging, heating and other household loads?
Reposted by Dominique De Munck
“Every delay means more asthma attacks, more cardiovascular emergencies, more cancers and more premature deaths. Transitioning away from fossil fuels isn’t just good climate policy: it’s life-saving health policy” says Dr Joe Vipond, Canadian
#cop30
unfccc-events.azureedge.net/COP30_108722...
#cop30
unfccc-events.azureedge.net/COP30_108722...
UNFCCC
unfccc-events.azureedge.net
November 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“Every delay means more asthma attacks, more cardiovascular emergencies, more cancers and more premature deaths. Transitioning away from fossil fuels isn’t just good climate policy: it’s life-saving health policy” says Dr Joe Vipond, Canadian
#cop30
unfccc-events.azureedge.net/COP30_108722...
#cop30
unfccc-events.azureedge.net/COP30_108722...