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High energy prices hold Europe back

Rurope is slowly emerging from the crisis and economic growth is picking up. But the sluggish nature of the recovery means governments cannot ease up in the pursuit of reforms that boost investment and jobs. Much of the discussion about improving competitiveness revolves around labour market reforms and reductions in red tape. But far too little attention is paid to what has become a significant burden on European growth: the high cost of energy in Europe when compared with the US and other markets.

Modi Vows to Curb Prices While Promising India 100 Smart Cities

India’s top opposition leader Narendra Modi promised voters cheaper goods and 100 “smart cities” in unveiling steps to boost Asia’s third-biggest economy as he seeks to unseat the ruling Congress party. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party will create a stabilization fund to combat Asia’s fastest inflation and form special courts to try those who hoard goods, he said in New Delhi yesterday. A Modi-led government would also improve the rail network and power supply in the world’s second-most populous nation, he told thousands of party workers.

Climate change and EU energy challenges

This week sees one of the EU’s big announcements. On Wednesday it will set out its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and for increasing the use of renewables like solar panels and wind power. It is a major moment because the EU has long regarded itself as the leader when it comes to addressing climate change. There are signs, however, that its early ambition may be hard to sustain. These new proposals will replace the current 2020 strategy.

Biodiversità: acidificazione annulla competitività tra alghe oceano

La maggior acidificazione degli oceani causata dal cambiamento climatico globale sta alterando la biodiversita’ nelle acque costiere temperate del nord-est dell’oceano Pacifico, in particolare la vita delle alghe, tra le cui specie si sta innescando una inversione di dominanza competitiva. Lo ha scoperto un nuovo studio della University of Washington pubblicato sulla rivista ‘Ecology Letters’ che ha analizzato le dinamiche competitive tra quattro specie di alghe Corallinaceae (crustose coralline algae, in inglese), un gruppo che vive nelle acque intorno all’isola Tatoosh.

Australian heatwave shows man-made climate change, scientists say

Southern Australia is caught in the grip of an extreme heatwave, which is fuelling hundreds of bush fires, causing power cuts and even prompting concerns about the safety of tennis players in the Australian Open, which is being staged in Melbourne. Scientists say these heatwaves are one of the clearest examples of man-made climate change beginning to stand out from natural climate variability.

Temperatures climbed above 40C in Melbourne on Wednesday for a second successive day forcing at least one more player to retire and prompting a debate about whether it is simply too hot to play tennis during the afternoon. The forecast for Thursday is 44C.

$Cameron pledges cash for communities to ease path for UK fracking$

Cameron pledges cash for communities to ease path for UK fracking

The pledge, made on Monday, coincides with an announcement by France’s Total that it will spend about $50m on exploring for shale gas in the East Midlands, making it the first oil major to invest in the UK’s fledgling sector. The prime minister said that local authorities will be able to keep 100 per cent of rates they collect from shale sites – up from the usual 50 per cent – amounting to an estimated £1.7m for a 12-well site.