January 27, 2015
Mankind is exposed to two mortal addictions: smoking and burning fossil energy. In recent years Europe and other industrialised countries have started coming to grips with them while emerging countries have seen both addictions worsen. Germany is a case in point for a successful campaign against the two plagues. Within two decades the number of… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 26, 2015
International oil prices have declined to $ 50/barrel, levels not seen for years; but governments fail to neutralise these ultra-low prices by raising excise taxes. They seem to be much more interested in pleasing consumers than in seizing the opportunity for reducing their budget deficits and fighting climate change. This is irresponsible! Have governments completely… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 23, 2015
It is 50 years since Pope Paul VI proclaimed the famous Encyclica of human life asking the 1.2 billion Catholics living today on earth to regulate births exclusively by “natural means”, i.e. abstaining from sexual intercourse during the periods of ovulation. This appeal has failed. The Church has vastly over-estimated the intelligence and discipline of… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 22, 2015
In the 21st century the international community will increasingly have to cope with issues going beyond the scope of individual or groups of states. These issues should be dealt with by UN; but the UN is handicapped by the absence of a proper political authority and the consensus required for all decisions. In 2015, the… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
In 11 months from now the Paris Climate Conference (COP 21) will have terminated its work. The French President and the UN Secretary General will have hailed it as a success. But it seems prudent to anticipate another failure. On the basis of the procedures adopted for its preparation, the COP 21 will not to… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
January 5, 2015
World population is expected to increase by one third until the middle of the century, from 7.3 to to 9.5 billion. This is bound to have a negative impact on climate change. Population will essentially continue growing in poor countries whose green house gas emissions are presently close to zero. According to the “Lima Accord”… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.
