France and Germany cemented their historic post-war reconciliation with the signing of a new Elysée treaty on 22 January. But the text no longer mentions carbon pricing among new bilateral initiatives. (EURACTIV)
The pace of ice loss has increased four-fold since 2003 as enormous glaciers are depositing ever larger chunks of ice into the Atlantic Ocean, where it melts, causing sea levels to rise. (The Guardian)
In a letter, written by Seth A. Klarman, a billionaire investor known for his sober and meticulous analysis of the investing world, a huge red flag about global social tensions, rising debt levels and receding American leadership is set. (New York Times)
Washington these days resembles nothing so much as an unruly sandbox. Politicians are squabbling like 7-year-olds, there did not seem to be an adult in sight. (New York Times)
Many of the big economic questions in coming decades will come down to just how extreme the weather will be, and how to value the future versus the present. (New York Times)
In the face of resurgent right-wing populism, the left’s relative weakness partly reflects the decline of unions and organized labor groups, which have historically formed the backbone of leftist and socialist movements. But four decades of ideological abdication has also played an important role. (Project Syndicate)
The grassroots movement behind the Green New Deal offers a ray of hope to the badly battered establishment: they should embrace it, flesh it out, and make it part of the progressive agenda. We need something positive to save us from the ugly wave of populism, nativism, and proto-fascism that is sweeping the world. (Project Syndicate)
The euro remains vulnerable to another crisis. The next crisis could heighten the perceived urgency of fundamental reforms and lead Europe’s citizens to accept the modicum of political integration needed to implement them. So reformed and restructured, the euro would operate better. (The Conversation)
The German car giant has created Elli, a subsidiary that will provide green power and charging solutions for the EV sector. Volkswagen – still haunted by the diesel emissions scandal – says it wants to make mobility sustainable. (pv magazine)
© Stefan P. Schleicher 2019
