Germany’s energy agencies push heat pumps to win over skeptics

In Germany, officials are trying to reframe heat pumps as a smart financial and energy-secure choice, hoping to counter climate-skeptic narratives that have fueled resistance in conservative regions.

Ajit Niranjan reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Germany’s energy agency held 200 public events promoting heat pumps as cost-effective and secure amid rising gas prices.
The campaign focuses on dispelling myths and emphasizing subsidies and long-term savings rather than environmental benefits.
Political backlash, led by far-right groups, paints green heating laws as restrictive, complicating efforts to broaden adoption.

Key quote:

“They’ve heard so much wrong information that they don’t even want to hear the correct information.”

— Luca Nozon, Energy Saxony

Why this matters:

The slow adoption of heat pumps in Germany, despite government incentives, highlights the political and cultural obstacles facing the transition to clean energy. Misinformation and policy uncertainty could stall climate goals and deepen dependence on volatile energy markets.

www.theguardian.com

Germany’s energy agencies push heat pumps to win over skeptics

Climate factors make Jamaica especially vulnerable to Hurricane Melissa

‘Change course now’: Humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head

U.N. report on climate pledges has updates from only a third of countries

Amsterdam's 750th anniversary showcases centuries of climate adaptation

Bill Gates calls for a new direction in global climate fight that doesn’t make emissions top goal

Water shortage threatens Texas refining hub

Drought is quietly pushing American cities toward a fiscal cliff

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.