In The News

Australia’s Election Message: The Age

Ben Oquist May 21, 2019
Australian voters gave a surprise win to conservatives and Scott Morrison who ran on a platform of tax cuts and strengthening the economy. The result does not mean that Australians have forgotten climate change, explains Ben Oquist for the Age. Morrison as prime minister rejected renewable energy targets and supported $25 billion in renewable energy investment as candidate. Renewable energies...

Secret Nuclear Power Work in Saudi Arabia: Reuters

Timothy Gardner March 29, 2019
The US Department of Energy has approved authorizations for companies to sell nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, reports Timothy Gardner for Reuters. The companies requested anonymity, and the ultimate plan is to build two nuclear power plants. “Perry’s approvals, known as Part 810 authorizations, allow companies to do preliminary work on nuclear power ahead of any deal but not ship equipment...

Venezuela’s Blackout: New York Times

Anatoly Kurmanaev and Isayen Herrera March 12, 2019
Venezuela, with the world’s largest oil reserves, struggles to deliver power to most of its citizens. The four-day blackout combined with political divisions has triggered protests, looting, economic hardship and anger in the country of 32 million people. “The blackout is the latest crisis to befall a country in seemingly perpetual crisis,” reports the New York Times. “Venezuela has been...

Project Syndicate: Climate Safety and Engineers

Jeffrey D. Sachs January 1, 2019
Nations have developed a rulebook for implementing the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Ending reliance on fossil fuels will help stem climate change, improving the environment and health, yet more action is required, explains Jeffrey Sachs for Project Syndicate. “The diplomats have read the science and know the truth: without a rapid move to a zero-carbon global energy system by mid-century,...

Reuters: Clean Coal Fails to Deliver Smog Cuts

Tim McLaughlin December 4, 2018
Coal producers insisted that chemical treatments could reduce emissions. US electric company Duke Energy reports that refined coal “regularly fails to deliver on its environmental promises,” releasing more nitrogen oxide, not less. “The utility also discovered that one of the chemicals used to refine the coal, calcium bromide, had reached a nearby river and lakes – raising levels of carcinogens...

The Local France: Savage Violence in Paris

John Lichfield December 3, 2018
More than 10,000 yellow-vested protesters in Paris expressed fury toward their government over increasing inequality, unemployment and poor services in rural areas with wealth going unshared. “The Arc de Triomphe, symbol of French Republican pride, was vandalised and tagged with insulting graffiti,” explains John Lichfield, adding that police acted with restraint as protesters set buildings and...

Visual Capitalist: 8 Forces Shaping the Global Economy

Jeff Desjardins October 23, 2018
Globalization, while less popular in some countries, still contributes to rapid change throughout the world. Global networks allow for immediate spread of new ideas, and Jeff Desjardins of Visual Capitalist identifies eight forces of global change with striking information graphics: Technology, data analysis and artificial intelligence contribute to efficiency; tech companies now represent the...