Thirty years ago this month, France conducted an act of state-sponsored terror on a Western ally, and other members of this free, democratic non-communist alliance would eventually turn a blind eye to the deed and help France escape with impunity.
The tale is well commemorated in the report published recently in The New Zealand Herald, “Rainbow Warrior—30 Years On.” Some of the highlights from the in-depth article are listed below, along with correspondence from a French anti-nuclear activist.
Every week, Kate Lanier assembles the most important global energy and climate news. This week includes:
England: No shale gas fracking for two-fifths of England? Seems likely.
Bolivia: President Evo Morales “renationalized Bolivia’s oil and gas industries” and invested in the public sector. Poverty is down by 25% (extreme poverty by 43%), and the rich-poor gap “has been hugely narrowed.” Morales’ third inauguration was held in Tiwanaku, a pre-colonial city, with full participation by indigenous people. Don’t miss the portrait of 18th century rebel Bartolina Sisa, made from “local potatoes, carrots, corn and other vegetables” — and don’t miss the story of Bartolina Sisa.
Oklahoma: Daily earthquakes have people so rattled they’re discussing public protection vs private profit. Scientists point to “the deep wastewater disposal wells … [but] officials have been reluctant to crack down on an industry that accounts for a third of the economy and one in five jobs.” A case pending before the OK Supreme Court could have potential big impact.
In 1997, the EU issued a Directive on Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources, with the modest goal of having 12% of electricity produced by renewable sources by 2010. Germany met that goal in 2007 and, flush with success, developed more challenging targets of its own: 40-45% electricity from renewables by 2025, 18% renewable energy […]
