January 31, 2013
Smog has been a familiar phenomenon in Western capitals, starting with London in the 1950`s and ending with New York, San Francisco, Mexico, Sao Paulo and Singapore in more recent years. But since 20 years it has ceased to be a serious health issue in most countries, China being one of the major exceptions. Its… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
North Dakota, the emerging US shale gas/oil paradise, and northern German wind energy regions are learning similar lessons: Both produce more new energies than they are able to sell, due to inadequate pipeline and grid systems. The consequence is a waste of energy, through gas flaring in North Dakota and temporary over-supply of wind and… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 29, 2013
The European Patent Office in Munich has announced a 4 per cent rise of patent registrations in 2012, reaching a total of 258 000. This reflects a globally improved business climate, intensive international research activity and the attractiveness of the European Patent Office as a place to register inventions. A closer look reveals that the… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 24, 2013
“We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that failure to do so would harm our children and future generations. America must lead the transition towards sustainable energy.” That is what President Obama has pledged to the American nation January 20th 2013, when he was officially sworn in for his second term. Will… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 18, 2013
Since the start of the European integration in 1958 agriculture has absorbed more political and financial resources than any other sector. Despite the small and decreasing number of people that agriculture employs (some five per cent of EU labour force) it has always received the lion’s share of EU budget expenditures, though this share has… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 15, 2013
On 19th December 2012, the Commission has submitted a new piece of legislation aiming at less smoking in Europe. Its 60 page proposal responds to the 2005 “WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control”, which calls on parties to reduce tobacco use and demands from member countries and the EP for better harmonisation of anti-tobacco programmes,… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 9, 2013
Judging by the New Year Messages of Heads of government around the world, climate change will range far behind employment, fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and competitiveness among the top priorities in 2013, whether in Europe, USA or Asia. The global society seems to have forgotten the floods, droughts, wild fires and other climate-related disasters in… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.
