Störfall Atomkraft - zivile und militärische Atomtechnologie nicht trennbar

Brüssel, 26. Juli 2010 - Die faktenreiche „Störfall Atomkraft“ Publikation vernetzt erstmalig die Diskurse um Terrorismus, Atomwaffen, Gesundheitsschutz, Ressourcen- und Energiesicherheit. Die zivile und die militärische Nutzung der Atomtechnologie sind faktisch nicht trennbar. Auf diese in öffentlichen Diskursen verdrängte Tatsache weist das neue Sachbuch STÖRFALL ATOMKRAFT hin und vernetzt damit erstmalig die Debatten um Gesundheitsschutz, Ressourcen, Energiesicherheit, Terrorismus und Atomwaffen. Es liefert hochbrisante Argumente zur Debatte um die Laufzeitverlängerung und durchleuchtet faktenreich die sogenannte „Renaissance“ der Atomkraft. Die Herausgeber des Sachbuches Karl-W. Koch, Astrid Schneider und Ralph Thomas Kappler sehen einen direkten Zusammenhang zwischen der fortschreitenden Verbreitung von Atomwaffen, der zunehmenden Gefahr atomarer Konflikte und der „zivilen“ Nutzung der Atomenergie.

Zahlreiche Bürger lehnen Atomkraft gefühlsmäßig und aus grundlegender Überzeugung ab. Aktuelle Daten, Zahlen und Zusammenhänge zeigen klipp und klar, wie richtig sie damit liegen. „Wenn wir nicht unverzüglich handeln, geraten wir in ein neues nukleares Zeitalter: gefährlicher, seelisch unerträglicher und finanziell kostenspieliger als der Kalte Krieg“, erklärte bereits Henry Kissinger am Ende des Kalten Krieges. „Die Bedrohung eines Nuklearkriegs hat ab-, aber die Gefahr eines Angriffs mit Atomwaffen hat zugenommen.“, warnte US- Präsidenten Barack Obama bei einer Rede in Prag. Im Buch werden auch konkrete Schritte für eine Welt ohne atomare Bedrohung dargestellt. Solange auf der Welt aber 440 AKW laufen, werden skrupellose Politiker weiterhin versuchen, Atombomben zu bauen. Atombomben könnten auch in die Hände von Terroristen gelangen, wenn wir das Atomzeitalter nicht hinter uns lassen. Das heißt: möglichst rasch AKW schließen und Energie künftig aus erneuerbaren Energiequellen gewinnen. Bei entsprechendem politischem Willen ist die Energiewende in 30 Jahren zu 100 Prozent möglich. Das bestätigte auch der unter dubiosen Umständen zurückgetretene Bundespräsident: „Ich kenne keinen einzigen seriösen Wissenschaftler, der behauptet, mit Atomenergie könnten unsere Energieprobleme gelöst werden.“, so Horst Köhler. Informationen zum Störfall Atomkraft Buch beim VAS-Verlag unter: www.vas-verlag.de

 

 

Kampf um Deutungshoheit verschlafen

Renewable Snapshots: aktuelle Analyse atomar-fossiler PR-Kampagnen

Brüssel, 25. Februar 2010 - Klimawandel hin oder her, das fossil-atomare Verbrennungszeitalter ist in der Defensive. Die fossilen Platzhalter versuchen jetzt auszusitzen und mit allen ihnen zur Verfügung stehenden Mitteln wieder die Initiative an sich zu reißen. Probiert wird das unter dem Banner von Schein-Innovationen, des Arbeitsplatzerhaltes, oder auch mit inszenierten Ängsten um Klimawandel oder Versorgungssicherheit. Klimawandel und Versorgungssicherheit sind aufgeblähte Schlüsselwörter im Ringen um die Deutungshoheit. Wer die Zukunft mit Kernbegriffen, Produkten und hauseigenen Designs besetzt, kann sie auch beherrschen. Die Sicherung der Deutungshoheit ist somit die bevorzugte Spielwiese von Public Affairs Beratern, PR-Agenturen und Lobbyisten, die zwischen Industrie, Politik und Medien ausgeklügelte Netze spinnen. Im Vorfeld des Bundeswahlkampfes liefen wieder die PR-Maschinen des atomar-fossilen Roll-Back heiß. Auch das Scheitern der wichtigsten Umweltkonferenz seit Gründung der Vereinten Nationen konnte den Beobachter des Kopenhagen-Tumults nicht überraschen. Schon deshalb nicht, da deren offizieller „Communcations Sponsor“ die dubiose Agentur Hill & Knowlton war. Eine Londoner PR-Agentur, zu deren Kunden unter anderem auch einer der größten Klimasünder Europas, der schwedische Staatskonzern Vattenfall, oder Regierungen, die mit Hilfe von Hill & Knowlton den Öl-Kriegszug im Irak zu rechtfertigen suchten, gehören. Vermeintlich gesicherte Positionen lassen sich aufweichen, untergraben und wenden. Dazu gehören auch Aussagen wie: „den Erneuerbaren Energien gehöre ohnehin die Zukunft“, oder „Grüne stehen für grüne Technologien“.

Es waren zuerst Londoner Medien-Gurus, die im Auftrag des Establishments damit begannen, fossil-atomaren Platzhaltern ein „grünes“ Make-Up aufzutragen. Wer für die Deutungshoheit nicht konzentriert in den Ring steigt, hat schon verloren. Das git auch für die Fraktion von „Gutmenschen“, die meinen ein Selbstlauf-Abo auf die Zukunft zu besitzen. Zum halbwegs fairen Meinungswettbewerb muß auch das protestantisch vergrämte Bilderverbot zu Angela Merkels ersten Politikkarriere als FDJ-Sekretärin für Agitation und Propaganda aufgehoben werden. Das kleinkariert verkniffene Bilderverbot aus dem Kanzleramt ist im Kontext entscheidender energiepolitischer Richtungsentscheidungen eine weitere Nebelkerze. Zumal ja die Richtungsentscheidung zwischen zentralistischen Energieoligopolen und dezentralen Strukturen ansteht. Angela Merkel trat ja ohne Not einer kommunistischen Massenorganisation bei. Und das zu einem Zeitpunkt, als der hoffnungslos zentralisierte SED-Staat nicht mehr reformierbar war. Der Souverän kann sich von dieser Richtlinien befugten Kanzlerin noch immer kein scharfes Bild machen. Es ist an der Zeit, das Verborgene zu visualisieren. Das Ringen um Deutungshoheit geht in die nächste Runde. Die technologische Runderneuerung, heraus aus den Gruben energiepolitischer Steinzeit, wird nicht unter exotischen Firmierungen wie „grüne CCS-Kohle“ oder „grüner Atomstrom“ zu stemmen sein. Aber Sand ins Getriebe der energetischen Erneuerung lässt sich mit diesen Slogans schon träufeln. Der Weckruf, gerade auch an die aufgeschlosseneren Medienvertreter, kann nur lauten: recherchieren, recherchieren und nochmals recherchieren. (Lesen Sie den Hintergrundbericht hier >>> )



Change in Deutschland und Amerika

Brüssel/Bautzen, 16. November 2009 - Als erster Sorbischer Minister Präsident begrüsste Stanislaw Tillich den U.S. Präsidenten Barack Obama in der Landeshauptstadt Dresden. Amerika ist dabei, Deutschland als globalen CleanTech Marktführer zu überrunden. Bereits im Mai 2002 richtete HALO ENERGY den weltweiten Medien Fokus auf die Lausitz Region. Beginnend mit einem Empfang Sorbischer Vertreter in Buckingham Palace sowie einer internationalen Pressekonferenz in der Foreign Press Association, lancierte HALO von London aus die erste CleanTech Kampagne für die Lausitz. Heute symbolisieren Umwelttechnologien mehr als jeder andere Industriesektor „Made in Germany“. Jeden Tag entstehen allein bei regenerativen Energien über 80 neue Arbeitsplätze in Deutschland. Schon jetzt arbeiten in der einst von der Kohle Lobby als strukturschwach stigmatisierten Lausitz weitaus mehr Menschen im erneuerbaren Energiesektor als bei der Klima schädigenden und Wasser Resourcen verschwendenden Braunkohlewirtschaft. Als eine der ältesten Minderheiten Deutschlands haben die Sorben schon vor über 1600 Jahren die an Bodenschätzen, Gewässern und Natur reiche Lausitz kultiviert. Heute ist die Sorbische Kultur und die Lausitz Region durch die unzeitgemäß previligierte Braunkohle Industrie gefärdet. Deutsche Kohlekraftwerke sind die grössten CO2 Verschmutzer Europas und damit mit für den Klimawandel verantwortlich. Es ist höchste Zeit für einen wirklichen Power Change, für die nachhaltige Energiewende in Europa und weltweit. (von Ralph T. Kappler / Tomaš Kappa)



CLEAN MOVES calls for paradigm shift in mobility

Brussels/Hannover, 1 May 2009 - Mobility after the crisis. Viable alternatives at the end of oil. More people in cars does not add up to greater mobility.
The transport sector is still the biggest emitter of CO2. On the other hand, it is also a vital part of the world economy. The CLEAN MOVES energy-efficient mobility forum under the patronship of German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel addresses this issue. Astrid Klug, Parliamentary Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment says: “Personal mobility is a basic human need, a fact that poses enormous challenges for both society and the environment. Meeting these challenges requires a fundamental change in direction. To achieve this, we need to push ahead more quickly with the transition to alternative fuels and drive systems and maximize all available efficiencies. However, this growth in the ‘sustainable mobility’ market will involve more than just hi-tech products and solutions. It also encompasses innovative transport concepts that rely heavily on public transport, pedestrian and bicycle transport.” This year, the CLEAN MOVES forum will from 20 - 24 April 2009 for the very first time be supported by Germany’s nationwide rail carrier, Deutsche Bahn. Deutsche Bahn group has a climate protection program and various flagship projects aimed at reducing group-wide emissions by 20 percent over the 2006–2020 period. The company also has its sights set on achieving significant emission reductions through alternative transport solutions, as its GM Integrated Systems Rail, Dr. Lutz Bücken, explains: “By providing rail services as part of intelligently networked multimodal transport chains we are able to function as a one-stop shop for sustainable transport solutions worldwide. Electric powered trains already account for over 90 percent of our rail services. But even this tried and proven system, which is ideally suited for the use of renewables, offers potential for further efficiencies. We intend to realize that potential.”

The EnergyAgency.NRW “Competence Network for Fuels and Drive Systems of the Future” will be exploring the theme of electric mobility at CLEAN MOVES. The Network’s director, Dr. Frank Köster, explains this integrated approach: “We’re talking about electrifying the entire drivetrain from well to wheel, but we’re still dependent on the internal combustion engine. That is why clean diesel concepts and gasoline-saving vehicle developments are just as central to our research as electric solutions.” This is the 21st century, yet the mobility debate is still framed by 20th century thinking and ideas. The time has come for completely new, groundbreaking solutions. Ralph Kappler, the initiator of CLEAN MOVES, explains: “The move away from oil is long overdue. CLEAN MOVES provides a way forward by offering an unbiased, integrated platform for solutions that are already highly developed and capable of being realized right now.” The CLEAN MOVES initiative also has a number of road shows, including a show at the European Motor Show in Brussels. In addition, the initiative is partnering with MASDAR Turret Middle East to operate a CLEAN MOVES Pavilion at the European Future Energy Forum in Bilbao. Further information at: www.cleanmoves.com

 


World Energy Dialogue with Focus on Energy Security

Hannover, 20 January 2009 - High-caliber speakers will be exploring the issue of energy supply security at the fourth WORLD ENERGY DIALOGUE, which will be held on the second and third day of HANNOVER MESSE 2009. Keynote speakers are Germany's Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Michael Glos, its Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Russia’s Energy Minister, Sergei Shmatko. The dialogue, which will be held on 21 and 22 April 2009, will once again be chaired by environmental expert Dr. Klaus Töpfer, Germany’s former Minister for the Environment. Dr. Töpfer recently called for targeted investment in efficient, leading-edge technologies and products in order to keep pace with the world’s growing demand for energy, arguing that this was the right path towards a sustainable economic policy. “One can’t simply preserve jobs for the sake of preserving jobs. Creating employment opportunities into the future requires global environmental leadership. Climate-friendly production is the solution to the current crisis, not its cause,” Dr. Töpfer said.

The international summit is co-organized by the Federation of German Industries (BDI), the Germany Energy Agency (dena) and HANNOVER MESSE. The lineup of speakers also includes: Youn Ho Lee, Minister of Knowledge Economy of Korea, Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Keitel, President of the BDI and Jennifer M. Granholm, Michigan State Governor. The World Energy Dialogue will be held in Hall 27 at the Hannover Exhibition Center. The first day of the summit will close with the awards ceremony for the Energy Efficiency Award 2009, which recognizes innovative energy efficiency projects by industry and the manufacturing trades. 650 industry professionals from 25 nations attended WED 2008, which focused on ‘The Future of Power Plants and Grids’. For further information on WED 2009, visit:www.hannovermesse.de/wed_e. Press Conference Invite here >

 

EU biofuel firms say not to blame for food prices

By Michael Hogan, REUTERS - European bioethanol production is not to blame for rising grain prices, a biofuels conference heard on Thursday. Only 2.6 percent of Germany's 40.9 million tonne grain harvest in 2007 was used to produce bioethanol, and only 1.5 percent of the European Union's total 267 million tonne grain crop was used for bioethanol, said Doerte Bieler of Germany's bioethanol industry association LAB. "It cannot be that this level of grain use for bioethanol production can be responsible for the doubling of EU grains prices in the last year," she told the Clean Moves Expo biofuels conference. "Grain prices have risen because of other factors such as poor harvests and speculation," she said.

But U.S. biofuel output was at a higher level than in Europe and may be responsible for pushing up grains there, she said. Several politicians, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, have recently raised concerns that higher biofuels production aimed at reducing global warming was behind the rise in global food prices. Albrecht Schaper, commercial manager of German bioethanol producer Fuel21 GmbH, said Germany had huge grain and sugar surpluses which have been traditionally exported as they could not be consumed by Germany's domestic market. "For the last 30 years we have been criticised because we have exported grain cheaply around the world," Schaper said. "Now we have found a use for grain which means we may not have to do this any more and suddenly that is wrong too." He said development aid to the Third World needed to be focused more on increasing agricultural efficiency. Ingo Klenk, of German bioethanol producer CropEnergies, said the food versus biofuel debate had ignored the fact that huge volumes of animal feed were produced as a by-product of bioethanol production. He called for a more coordinated approach to increasing biofuel output among governments to ensure there is be no competition for raw materials between food and biofuel makers. (Reported by Michael Hogan, REUTERS, from the HALO organised Clean Moves Conference)

 

 

Efficient mobility gains global momentum

Brussels/Hannover, 25 February 2008 - The Clean Moves Expo, part of the flagship Energy fair, will focus on unlocking new applications for electric drives, sustainable biofuels, the latest developments in natural gas drives and optimized diesel technology. With German Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel as its patron, the Clean Moves Expo at Hannover Messe (the Hannover Fair) will cover the full range of energy-efficient mobility technologies. “There are many advantages to using electrical energy in transportation. It can be obtained from a number of primary energy sources, which could substantially reduce dependency on oil imports. And crucially, using renewable energies to generate power will greatly improve the CO2 balance in the transport sector”, comments Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel. The most efficient way to use energy is to conserve it. This simple conclusion has provided the launch pad for developing highly-efficient cars. Manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Fiat, Opel and Ford will be displaying examples of these at Clean Moves 2008. “Clean Moves establishes a firm foothold on the path towards finding technology that will help to overcome the imbalances and dependencies of the oil era. This event provides a market-focused showcase for viable solutions,” comments Ralph Kappler, the driving force behind Clean Moves.

“Germany, one of the global front-runners in the development of biofuels, is focusing on establishing international sustainability standards for both the cultivation of biomass and the production of biofuels,” says Dr. Andreas Schütte of the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (Agency for Renewable Resources). His agency and the BDEW are both supporting Clean Moves as information partners. According to EU Commission guidelines, biofuels are to replace ten percent of fossil fuels by 2020 to ensure sustainable security of supply. The German Federal Government’s road map anticipates that the proportion of sustainable biofuels could be as high as 17 percent by 2020. Dietrich Klein, Managing Director of the Verband Landwirtschaftliche Biokraftstoffe (Association for Agricultural Biofuels) comments: “If we produce bioethanol in Europe using the raw materials available in the region, we can be confident of meeting the EU’s sustainability criteria throughout the entire process from cultivation to production.”


Clean Moves au 86ème Salon Auto de Bruxelles

HALO ENERGY, Bruxelles 3 December 2007 - Si la mobilité écologique est l’une des tendances la plus en vogue au sein du marketing, c’est à l’European Motors show qu’il faut aller pour voir et expérimenter ce que cela peut bien vouloir signifier. En effet l’European Motors show donne aux plus des 700.000 visiteurs attendus, la possibilité d’essayer des voitures et scooters qui étonnent par leur système de propulsion électrique. Du 17 au 27 janvier 2008 les visiteurs du salon d’auto, Hall-1, auront l’occasion de constater la plus-value qu’offrent ces véhicules en matière de performance, de confort  et, de mobilité, sans que cela aie, pour autant, une incidence sur la l’expérience de conduite proprement dite.
 
« La plupart des consommateurs considèrent l’énergie propre comme une donnée abstraite. Voitures et scooters sont d’importants témoins de notre style de vie. Ils génèrent beaucoup de passion/émotion. La promotion des véhicules écologiques avec l’énergie propre est un choix stratégique intriguant », observe Ralph Kappler, fondateur et organisateur de ‘Clean Moves’. L’université Libre de Bruxelles se chargera, à cette occasion, de donner des informations scientifiques –mais très accessibles– sur le phénomène des véhicules écologiques. Quelles technologies et quels carburants entrent en vigueur pour ces véhicules ? Comment ces technologies réduisent-elles l’effet de serre ? Quelle influence a-t-elle sur notre santé ? Rouler avec un vélo électrique est à porté de tout le monde, raconte Dr. ir. Joeri Van Mierlo du  département Elektrische Engineering et Energietechnologie de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles.Les nouvelles technologies de mobilité diminuent notre dépendance vis-à-vis du marché, flottant/fluctuant des carburants fossiles. C’est un point de vue que partage aussi Ajit Nazre, partenaire de la société d’investissement, bien connue, KPCB de Palo Alto. Il le formule ainsi : « Parmi toutes les solutions en matière des carburants écologiques parvenus à maturité du point de vue du marché, les moteurs à propulsion électrique, présentent, de loin, l’alternative la plus prometteuse.» ’Expo Clean Moves a vu le jour en 2005 sur initiative d’une série de petites et moyennes entreprises londoniennes. Pour plus d’information reportez-vous aux sites www.cleanmoves.com et www.salonauto.be.


Peak Oil could trigger meltdown of society

HALO ENERGY, London, 22 October 2007 - According to a newly published global oil supply report presented by the Energy Watch Group and Halo Energy at the Foreign Press Association in London, world oil production peaked in 2006. Production will start to decline at a rate of several percent per year. By 2020, and even more by 2030, global oil supply will be dramatically lower. "The most alarming finding is the steep decline of the oil supply after peak", warns Jörg Schindler from the Energy Watch Group. This result, together with the timing of the peak, is obviously in sharp contrast to the projections by the International Energy Agency (IEA). This cautious energy outlook corresponds with statements made by former US Defense Secretary and CIA Director, James Schlesinger, who said at a recent oil summit in Cork: "The battle is over, the oil peakists have won. Current US energy policy and the administration's oil strategy in Iraq and Iran are deluded." Remaining world oil reserves are estimated to be 1,255 Gb (Giga barrel) according to the industry database HIS (2006).
 
For the Energy Watch Group (EWG), however, there are sound reasons to modify these figures for some regions and key countries, leading to a corresponding EWG estimate of 854 Gb. Peak oil is now. "The oil boom is over and will not return. All of us must get used to a different lifestyle.", said King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the largest global oil producer. This change will be triggered by a sharp decline of fossil fuel supplies and will influence almost all aspects of daily life. Anticipated supply shortages could easily lead to disturbing scenes of mass unrest as witnessed in Burma this month. For government, industry and the wider public just muddling through is not an option anymore as this situation could spin out of control and turn into a meltdown of society (Source: www.energywatchgroup.org).
 

Nuclear expansion would be a risk to national security
According to a new report from the Oxford Research Group the hope for a new era of cheap, clean nuclear power is a 'myth'. Building more nuclear power stations would also increase terror risk the paper says. A worldwide expansion of nuclear power has little chance of significantly reducing carbon emissions but will add dangerously to the proliferation of nuclear weapons-grade materials and the potential for nuclear terrorism, says a leading research group that has analysed the possible uptake of civil atomic power over the next 65 years. The Oxford Research Group paper, funded by the Joseph Rowntree charitable trust, says that the worldwide nuclear "renaissance" planned by the industry to provide cheap, clean power is a myth.Although global electricity demand is expected to rise by 50% in the next 25 years, only 25 new nuclear reactors are currently being built, with 76 more planned and a further 162 proposed, many of which are unlikely to be built.

This compares with 429 reactors in operation today, many of which are already near the end of their useful lives and need replacing soon. For nuclear power to make any significant contribution to a reduction in global carbon emissions in the next two generations, the paper says, the industry would have to construct nearly 3,000 new reactors - or about one a week for 60 years. "A civil nuclear construction and supply programme on this scale is a pipe dream, and completely unfeasible. The highest historic rate of build is 3.4 new reactors a year," says the report.If the decision to go with nuclear power is taken, then the UK will implement a flawed and dangerously counter-productive energy policy. "The question is whether in the 21st century the security risks associated with civil nuclear power can be managed, or not? Society has to decide whether or not the risks of proliferation and nuclear terrorism in a world with many nuclear power reactors are acceptable", the report concludes.


Clean Moves to empower home made mobility

HALO ENERGY, Berlin 16 April 2007 - Under the patronage of Germany’s Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, “Clean Moves Expo” will present energy and fuel efficient technologies in a global market context under the umbrella of the world’s leading industry show, the Hannover Fair. From 16 to 20 April 2007 carmakers, fuel producers, component suppliers and investors will come together at Clean Moves Expo to swap know-how about market-ready products – with special emphasis on drive systems (hybrid, natural gas, electric), biogas, ethanol and synthetic Biofuels. “Combating climate change is one of the most important tasks facing us this century. However, we should not see climate change solely as a threat. Instead we must exploit the opportunities inherent in a third industrial revolution – a revolution centred on the efficient utilization of energy and natural resources. This applies to the transport sector in particular,” Gabriel emphasizes. The EU alone will have to spend an additional €1.1 trillion over the next 14 years, if it is to fulfil ambitious climate change goals, a new study by the leading consulting firm McKinsey has indicated. Ethanol currently ranks as the world’s number one biofuel - next to other viable solutions. The international market for ethanol fuels and related production facilities is booming. This fact will be reflected directly in the exhibitor line-up at Clean Moves Expo.

In the words of BP’s Group Managing Director John A. Manzoni: “Our goal must be to raise fuel efficiency and cut emissions. In other words, we need higher performance and lower exhaust emissions. In the year 2050 there will be two billion vehicles on the road. These will need to travel twice as far per litre of fuel compared with present-day vehicles.” In the coming ten years BP is committed to investing $1 billion in order to enhance its strong position in the biofuel market. The company forecasts that biofuels will account for a market share of between 20 and 30 percent by 2030. Private cars make up a significant proportion of transportation-related CO2 emissions. In the words of Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel: “We need binding regulations in order to achieve our CO2 reduction goals. “The private sector driven Clean Moves venture empowers home made fuel and mobility technologies. It serves as a technology bridgehead to advance the market penetration of low carbon solutions, where deals are made, where market movers exchange critical know-how.”, says Ralph Kappler, Event Manager and founder of the independent Clean Moves industry platform. Further information is available at: www.CleanMoves.com
 


World Energy Dialogue: Efficiency as export factor

HANNOVER MESSE, 19 February 2007 - Under the patronage of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Technology, the World Energy Dialogue 2007 is being organized jointly by Deutsche Messe and the Federation of German Industry. Participants at the recent Energy Summit held by the German government expressed the view that energy-saving technology, i.e. the ability to improve energy efficiency, could prove an important factor in the international marketing of German cutting-edge technology. In this connection Michael Glos, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Technology, has announced a new export drive based on energy-efficient technology. Increasing energy efficiency forms a cornerstone of energy-related policies. Importantly, the use of modern technology to reduce energy consumption reduces the dependency of nation states on imports, and also leads to lower energy costs. Furthermore, the quest for new energy technology encourages innovation and makes an important contribution to the control of climate change. In the event of long-term increases in energy prices the development of this kind of technology would become an even more important competitive factor than it already is today.

The German government has emphasized the huge potential for energy-saving technology. In fact, government policy aims to double energy productivity by 2020 compared with levels in 1990. This goal applies to all areas of energy consumption – from power stations and buildings to vehicles. The German Energy Agency estimates that on the basis of improved utilization the country will be able to reduce energy consumption in 2020 by more than 20 percent compared with 2005. For more information go to: www.world-energy-dialogue.com


OPEC uses oil prices to discourage alternative fuel use

Source USA National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition - OPEC announced late last week that they were planning on cutting oil production by 1.2 million barrels per day in hopes to keep costs of crude at about $60 per barrel. This cut is intended to bring the cost of gasoline up a bit but to keep it low enough so as to be more attractive than alternative fuel pricing. “It’s unfortunate that OPEC feels that they can control the vision of this country and the destiny relative to alternative fuels,” exclaimed Curtis Donaldson, Chairman of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. OPEC expects to keep the price of gasoline at about $2.25 per gallon. According to a Foxnews.com news story on October 20 (which can be found by clicking here), “OPEC's cut also signaled that it would defend a price of about $60 a barrel, high enough to justify its investment in future production capacity but low enough to allow economic growth and deter a flood of alternative fuels.” U.S. oil prices set a record high in July of this year topping at $78.40 a barrel and averaging record high fuel costs.

Alternative fuel pricing, including E85, tended to be much lower during the summer, thus making them more attractive to consumers. “OPEC feels that they can manage the price of gasoline to a point where increasing the production of E85 and providing it at more locations across the country will become less attractive. It will be disappointing if we allow this to happen when everyone knows, now more than ever, we need more energy independence,” added Donaldson. According to an Automotive Fleet article (whiche can be found by clicking here), Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister supports OPEC’s decision to decrease production. California sues car firms for global warming The Guardian reports, September 21, 2006 - America's most populous state, California, opened a new front in its struggle with climate change yesterday when it announced that it was suing the six largest carmakers in the US for allegedly contributing to global warming. In the unprecedented lawsuit, the state accused Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan of creating a "public nuisance" and costing it millions of dollars.


Lloyd's tells members climate change could destroy insurers

The Guardian, by Terry Macalister, June 6, 2006 - Lloyd's of London, the oldest insurance market in the world, yesterday urged its members to start taking global warming more seriously, by increasing prices to avoid being "swept away" in a sea of future financial claims. Premiums will have to rise and some risks might even be classed as uninsurable due to greenhouse gases and rising sea levels, warned Lloyd's in a report entitled Climate Change, Adapt or Bust. "Although it's almost two decades since the UN recognised that climate change was a catastrophic threat to the Earth, it's clear that the insurance industry has not taken catastrophe trends seriously enough. Climate change is today's problem not tomorrow's. If we don't take action now to understand the changing nature of our planet we will face extinction," said Lloyd's director, Rolf Tolle. Lloyd's, which has the capacity to write £15bn worth of business this year, did not want to enter the politicially contentious debate on how much human activity affected global warming but was happy to accept the "growing body of opinion" on the issue.

The rising cost of weather-related catastrophes made it impossible for the insurance market to ignore what was happening with rising carbon dioxide levels, it said. In the short term the insurance industry would have to invest more time and money in academic research as well as convert scientific predictions into practical guidance for the sector. The unstable climate could have an impact on global asset values, reducing their value to insurers which have traditionally relied on investment returns to boost profits, it warned. "Consequently it will become even more important for insurers to price risk according to exposure, and to underwrite for profit, without reliance on investment income." It was time for insurers to stop treating climate change as a peripheral field of work and to put it at the centre of their operations. "Understanding and responding to it must become 'business as usual' for insurers and those they work with.