The Latin American mining industry has historically been a cornerstone of the region’s economy, providing essential resources for global development. However, it has faced mounting criticism due to its significant environmental impact. Recognizing the need for change, many mining companies in Latin America are beginning to take proactive steps to mitigate their environmental footprint. Rebecca Bertram reports.
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Hikers and bikers beware: Climate breakdown has hit Europe’s Alps hard
Central Europe is among the fastest warming locations on Earth. In the Alps, this has ramifications for nature, outdoorspeople, and tourist infrastructure. Paul Hockenos reports.
Challenges to Latin America’s geothermal boom
Geothermal energy prospects remain largely untapped in many parts of the world. Latin America with its numerous volcanos and seismic activities along the Pacific Ocean has a particularly high potential to develop this renewable resource. What is holding it back? Rebecca Bertram reports.
Climate protection? Yes please, but not in my cellar!
Opinion polls show Germans worried about the climate crisis and in favor of more climate action. The fallout of global warming is one of their most pressing concerns, indeed as it is across Europe. And yet, when it comes to modifying lifestyles or paying higher prices to curb emissions, most say they’re not willing, or only as much as it doesn’t sting. Paul Hockenos reports. Read More
Sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Uganda through renewable energy resources
African countries together are responsible for only 4% of global carbon emissions, but will suffer heavily from the consequences of climate change. In Uganda, agriculture is already hit by the changing climate, prompting loud calls for a switch to renewable energy sources in the all important sector. Sarah Helen Rüdenauer gives the lowdown. Read More
Rivers can be Europe’s first line of defense against climate breakdown
The recent floods in France, Belgium, the UK and Germany remind us again of the danger of the climate crisis. Europe’s rivers however can be key components of both climate mitigation and adaptation. Cleaning them up and restoring them is an expensive undertaking – but it’s worth the price. Paul Hockenos reports. Read More
The illusion of small nuclear reactors undermines climate protection
Nuclear energy proponents say that smaller reactors are the climate-saving technology of the future. Yet, if these plans ever see the light of day, their shortcomings are no less egregious than the dinosaur models of the 20th century. Paul Hockenos reports.
Anatomy of a mess: the cautionary tale of the US’s last mega nuclear reactor
The expansion of the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Burke County near Augusta, Georgia, stands as the only new atomic reactors built in the US in the last 30 years – and the most expensive power plant ever built on Earth. The story is one of chaos, broken promises, cost overruns and blown deadlines. So off the rails is this fiasco, it is most probably the last large-scale pressurized water reactor that will ever come online in the US – when it finally does. Indeed, no others are currently planned. Paul Hockenos reports. Read More
Fossil free KAZA vision
The world is at crossroads. Global warming and biodiversity loss is increasing by the hour. Wars are raging while the planet is burning. There’s no way to deny the obvious. Or the looming doom at the horizon. It’s easy to lose hope. It’s hard to find the needed daily energy to fight for a better world. But hope is not dead and there are positive developments which show that not everything is lost yet and that the fight is worth fighting. Andy Gheorghiu outlines in this blog his vision for a fossil free KAZA region in sub-Saharan Africa and explains why it could develop into a global lighthouse project for a better world. Read More
In Biden’s climate legislation, nuclear is clean energy
But even this won’t propel the nuclear industry into a vibrant, climate-saving era, writes Paul Hockenos. Read More