There’s a global movement of communities and cities taking back control of their energy and water supply, and Germany’s Energiewende serves as a role model. Craig Morris takes a look at the Transnational Institute (TNI)’s report, “Reclaiming public services: how cities and citizens are turning back privatization.”
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The coal fee
Polish coal is losing value on the global market and Poland’s grid may see serious blackouts. But instead of investing in other forms of energy, the government dips into taxpayer pockets to try and save the mining and energy market, Michał Olszewski reveals.
4 Reasons Nuclear and Fossil Fuel Supporters Criticizing 100% Renewable Energy Plan Are Wrong
Proponents of 100% renewable energy face harsh criticism, even well-respected scientists like Mark Jacobson. He has been arguing for countries to switch to an all-renewables grid for years, both through academic papers and activism. Today, he rebuts the argument that the US should continue using nuclear power and fossil fuels.
Why no one seems happy with 96% citizen wind power
Germany has held its first auctions for onshore wind farms, and the projects that fit the brand-new definition of “citizen wind power” got almost all of the volume. So why do most people seem so unhappy? Craig Morris investigates.
Why Volvo going ‘all-electric’ is not as revolutionary as it seems
Volvo’s shift towards electric vehicles is not likely to signal the end of combustion engines. Only some serious investments in infrastructure can do that; but in the meantime, hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles are still relevant, says Jim Saker.
Germany has surpassed its 2020 target for green power
By 2020, Germany aims to get 35% of its power demand from renewables, but the share was much higher in the first half of this year. But there’s also some bad news. Craig Morris explains.
The reality of environmental protection in Poland
The political changes in Poland have claimed ecology as another victim. For conservative politicians, ecology is just a dangerous whim and they would very happily spend the money allocated to it elsewhere. Michał Olszewski takes a critical look.
People want fewer cars in cities. Not everyone knows it yet.
Whenever we talk about getting cities back from cars, there’s pushback. Don’t people love their cars? Don’t we have cities built for cars because that’s what people wanted? Not exactly. Today, Craig Morris takes a look at the German town of Freiburg, and how citizens are taking their streets back.
The future of Germany’s Energiewende
When Germans cast their vote in the national elections on September 24 they will also be deciding on the direction of the country’s energy policy. Arne Jungjohann takes a look at how German politics may help, or hinder, the energy transition.
Massive human chain protests ageing Belgian nuclear reactors
50,000 people from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands formed a cross-border 90 km-long human chain on Sunday, 25 June to protest against the controversial Tihange nuclear power plant. Micro-cracks were recently discovered in one of the facility’s reactors. Sam Morgan has the details.