This detailed reader summarises how Germany’s coal phase-out can succeed and explains the most relevant aspects of climate and energy policy as well as the economic consequences of phasing out coal. Ecologic Institute
It was a stark display of the alarm of a generation. It was also a glimpse of the anger directed at older people who have not, in the protesters’ view, taken global warming seriously enough. New York Times
Global warming is no parable. Far from being a problem only for future generations, it is wreaking havoc now. The Economist
This webpage offers comprehensive, interactive plots, factsheets and data download options for atmospheric surface concentrations of 43 greenhouse gases and 3 equivalent gas time series from 2000 years ago to the year 2500. University of Melbourne
Germany’s nuclear power plant operators have paid over 24 billion euros into a publicly-owned fund that is charged with financing the country’s nuclear clean-up. While the energy companies pay for deconstructing their nuclear plants, the state is responsible for ensuring that nuclear waste is stored safely. Clean Energy Wire
Shares in Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank International tumbled by more than 12% on March 5th after a complaint was filed accusing it (and, to a lesser extent, other Austrian banks) of “gross negligence or acquiescence” in connection with suspicious flows from Danske. Raiffeisen says it is investigating. The Economist
Our task is not to make the perfect human society, but rather a good enough world in which each of us has sufficient (but never too many) resources to handle our encounters with the inevitable sufferings of a world full of chance and complexity. New York Times
The old rules are being rejected, among liberals and conservatives, politicians and economists. New York Times
Modern Monetary Theory holds that a government able to borrow in its own currency need not be constrained by budget deficits and debt — meaning that it can act more boldly than economists have assumed, without negative consequences. New York Times
With 12 candidates already in the 2020 US presidential race, Democrats clearly believe that President Donald Trump is extremely vulnerable. If current trends continue, the next presidential election could be as dramatic and unpredictable as the last one. Project Syndicate
© Stefan P. Schleicher 2019
