France used 10% less electricity last winter – three valuable lessons in fighting climate change

To overcome last winter’s energy crunch, France successfully introduced a 15-point ‘energy sobriety’ plan to cut gas and electricity use and reduce emissions.

Steve Pye, Associate Professor in Energy Systems, UCL • conversation
Sept. 18, 2023 ~6 min

Yellow jerseys of the fireline: A day fighting wildfires can require as much endurance as riding the Tour de France

Twenty-five years of research show what it takes to fuel wildland firefighters through an average day, and the toll the long seasonal work takes on their bodies.

Brent C. Ruby, Research Professor, School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training, University of Montana • conversation
Aug. 8, 2023 ~11 min


Cornwall space launch: why launching rockets from UK soil can benefit industry and security

Efforts to launch rockets into space from the UK need to demonstrate reliability.

Craig Underwood, Professor, University of Surrey • conversation
Feb. 3, 2023 ~8 min

Energy crisis: why French households are largely protected from soaring costs while British families struggle

Britain’s households are facing a cold winter but its power market could learn something from neighbouring systems to avert a crisis

Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University • conversation
Aug. 12, 2022 ~9 min

Tour de France: future heatwaves may make it untenable to hold the race in July

This year’s Tour was marked by near-40℃ temperatures, roads cooled with water, and heatstroke.

Madeleine Orr, Lecturer in Sport Business and Program Director for Sustainable Sport Business, Loughborough University • conversation
July 27, 2022 ~5 min

How the Tour de France helped me think about geology in a new way

The world’s biggest cycling race is a great way to teach people about geology – and test our own ideas.

Douwe van Hinsbergen, Chair in Global Tectonics and Paleogeography, Utrecht University • conversation
July 14, 2022 ~6 min

France reenters medical marijuana industry after more than a half-century hiatus – a cannabis historian explains

In the mid-1800s, France was at the epicenter of the international movement to medicalize hashish, a potent form of cannabis. Now the country’s medical marijuana research is making a comeback.

David A Guba, Jr., Assistant Professor of History, Bard Early College Baltimore • conversation
July 13, 2022 ~10 min

Tour de France: How many calories will the winner burn?

Riders in the 2022 Tour de France will ride more than 2,100 miles (3,400 km) over the 21 flat and mountainous stages of the race. And they will burn an incredible amount of energy while doing so.

John Eric Goff, Professor of Physics, University of Lynchburg • conversation
June 30, 2022 ~6 min


Winning the Tour de France requires subtle physics, young muscles and an obscene amount of calories – 3 essential reads

Three scientists explain the biology and physics of what goes into one of the world’s most grueling races, the Tour de France.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Science Editor and Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
June 30, 2022 ~6 min

How treaties protecting fossil fuel investors could jeopardize global efforts to save the climate – and cost countries billions

A new study adds up the potential legal and financial risk countries could face from hundreds of agreements, like those under the Energy Charter Treaty.

Kyla Tienhaara, Canada Research Chair in Economy and Environment, Queen's University, Ontario • conversation
May 5, 2022 ~9 min

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