April 27, 2012
During the last 60 years sub-Sahara Africa has seen an unprecedented population increase growth. In 1950, its total population amounted to some 200 million. Today, it is close to one billion, more than one third of whom illiterate! For the middle of the century, the UN Population Bureau projects more than 2 billion people, four… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Climate change and the 2008 financial crisis in the US are cataclysmic developments that were foreseeable long before they fully erupted in the open. But while the consequences of the US financial crisis are reversible this will not be the case for climate change. Beyond a critical point it will become impossible to restore the… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
On June 20-21st the international community will remember the 20th anniversary of the last UN Conference on Development and Sustainability in Rio de Janeiro. There is little reason to celebrate this anniversary. Though we have witnessed stunning economic progress in East Asia, the Gulf and several Latin American countries, the inequalities of living conditions on… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
April 19, 2012
Insignificant news may sometimes look shocking. The announcement by the Bank of Greece that it will pay € 100 million dividend for 2011 is one of those news; it is not surprising that it has made headlines in German TV and newspapers. How should owners of Greek State bonds who had just been forced to… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
In early April 2012 the C02 prices in the EU have fallen to an unprecedented low of only € 6.0/ton compared to expectations of at least € 20.0. This has raised new questions on the viability of the EU Emission Trading System(ETS). Energy experts are afraid the low prices fail to offer the necessary incentives… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
April 16, 2012
Europe is presently engaged in an intensive debate related to the crisis of sovereign debt, its governance and the links between citizens and EU institutions. I offer my modest contribution to this debate. The EU will have solved most of its sovereign debt problems by 2020. This follows logically from the progressive, reduction of member… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
April 2, 2012
The 100-year old internal combustion engine will be phased out in the coming six decades or so. This is bound to happen for two concurring reasons: Oil will become so scarce and expensive that driving vehicles on gasoline or diesel will no longer be affordable. In order to successfully combat climate change, for which mobility… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.
