Rhein on Energy and Climate

Archives for Enlargement & Neighbours

The impossible America

Humanity owes a lot to the America. It has been the cradle of democracy and human rights. Its Constitution – adopted in 1787 and basically unchanged since –is one of the most precious and well-formulated political documents ever written. Europe owes America an enormous gratitude for having sacrificed its service men in 1944-45 to liberate… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The EU has been in a process of permanent enlargements since its very beginning in 1958. In 2010 it is negotiating with two more candidate countries: Croatia and Turkey. It has given membership promises to six West Balkan countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo). In the East, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia also cherish… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Regional policy is about to become the EU`s major European policy area, measured by the volume of expenditures. By 2013 its annual expenditures are set to exceed those from agricultural policy, which had been the undisputed queen of EU spending for the past 50 years. It is therefore timely to have a closer look at… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

No other country on earth wastes more energy than Russia. According to Russian estimates, the country could save about 40 percent of its energy consumption if its energy sector functioned according to Western standards. The losses due to poor heat isolation of buildings, outdated equipment in industry and power generation and transmission are colossal. It… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

In 2007, the US Supreme Court had issued a ruling requiring the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to determine whether C02 emissions endangered public health or welfare. Following pressure from the automobile and fossil power industries and instructions from the White House, the EPA failed to comply with the rule of this Supreme Court. Now the… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

PM Gordon Brown has decided to add climate change to the already overcharged agenda of the G 20 summit meeting in London April 2nd. That is a wise and courageous decision considering the poor state of preparation of the International Climate Conference to be held in December in Copenhagen. Indeed, the G 20 countries account… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

British prime ministers are among the few dignitaries in the world privileged to address the US Congress, when they visit Washington. Gordon Brown did so two days ago. He delivered a vibrant plea to the US representatives and senators for more global cooperation. National and even continental cooperation are no longer sufficient to solve our… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein