In The News

China Takes Lead in Race for Clean Nuclear Power

Richard Martin February 2, 2011
In the race to develop new sources of green energy, China pursues research on thorium – more abundant than uranium – for nuclear power. “While nearly all current nuclear reactors run on uranium, the radioactive element thorium is recognized as a safer, cleaner and more abundant alternative fuel,” writes author Richard Martin for Wired.com. “Designing a thorium-based molten-salt reactor could...

WikiLeaks Fallout – Part II

Frank Ching January 14, 2011
Leaked US State Department cables, more than 2500 published in diverse news outlets so far, offer glimpses into methods and goals of individual US diplomats. This two-part series explores how WikiLeaks adds to diplomatic challenges around the globe. The second article, written by author and journalist Frank Ching, examines one of the more thoughtful cables. In January 2009, Clark T. Randt, then...

Floods Hit Key Coal Area

Kris Maher, Robert Guy Matthews January 14, 2011
Intense rains and flooding in northwest Australia are expected to shorten coal supplies for manufacturers and utilities. “The impact of the production halts is greatest in China and the rest of Asia, which depends heavily on coal from Australia to make steel and feed electric utilities,” notes a report from the Wall Street Journal. “Also affected will be buyers around the world who rely on Asian...

Pentagon Must “Buy American,” Barring Chinese Solar Panels

Keith Bradsher January 11, 2011
Technological advancements increasingly center on green-energy products, an arena of growing US-China rivalry. In particular, the US military supports development of renewable energy sources because fossil fuels are difficult to transport to war zones like Afghanistan. Nations compete to boost their own manufacturers: The US and Europe generally subsidize the solar-panel customers while China...

China’s Green Ambition, US Sees Red

Michael Richardson January 5, 2011
As factory to the world, China is hungry for energy. The nation secures traditional sources of energy – as the largest producer and consumer of coal, ranking second in oil consumption and imports, fifth for oil production – and is also intent on dominating the global renewable-energies industry. Recognizing that the rapidly-growing industry creates jobs, China devotes a growing pile of investment...

China Can Use More Copper Than World Has Now With Yang’s Stove

Fan Wenxin November 18, 2010
As China industrializes, millions move from the countryside into urban centers. The trend that began along the coast now expands cities in the interior as Chinese exporters continue a search for inexpensive labor. Urbanization and growth spur China’s standard of living with new apartments and the amenities of modern life – TVs, air conditioners, washing machines. This Bloomberg article details...

Germany Leads With Its Goal of 100 Percent Renewable Energy

Daniel Boese September 7, 2010
Germany is demonstrating steady progress in unshackling itself from fossil fuel dependence by converting to renewable energy sources. Polls show that more than 80 percent of the nation favors development of homegrown wind, sun and geothermal energy alternatives and escape from importing the bulk of oil, gas or uranium from foreign sources. In economic terms, Germany is an early adopter. The large...