-
Offshore wind farms warm the atmosphere and sea surface more than previously thought
Offshore wind farms not only influence marine physics but also the atmosphere to a remarkable extent, as a recent study by Hyodae Seo demonstrates. Based on oceanographic and atmospheric data, the research establishes a close link between warming, turbulence, microplastics, and profound disturbances of the atmosphere. Furthermore, technological interventions exacerbate the strain on affected ecosystems,…
-
Chevron is betting on a prolonged oil boom
Chevron is actively seeking opportunities for further growth and is optimistic about the future. Despite global uncertainties, the company anticipates a continued oil boom, which will open up new possibilities. From the outset, the energy company emphasized its confidence, which rests on stable markets, political momentum, and improved technologies. At the same time, factors such…
-
Von der Leyen is pushing ahead with the EU’s own intelligence service
Ursula von der Leyen is pushing for an independent EU intelligence service. This move by the Commission President is causing massive concern in Brussels. The political implications are increasing because the initiative is directly linked to growing surveillance measures, such as the digital euro, the controversial monitoring of chats, and the threat to data sovereignty.…
-
Markus Söder calls for mini nuclear power plants for Germany
The energy crisis and the resulting economic decline of the country are creating immense pressure. Bavarian Minister-President and CSU party chairman Markus Söder is using precisely this moment to push for the construction of mini nuclear power plants (welt: 15.11.25). These mini nuclear power plants undoubtedly possess technical potential and could significantly alleviate the energy…
-
Paper industry on alarm mode – structural crisis hits sites and employees hard
The paper industry is struggling due to a deep structural crisis, resulting in increasing factory closures, bankruptcies, job losses, and massive market shifts. The paper sector lost around 14% of its production in 2023, with volume falling to approximately 18.6 million tons. Furthermore, revenue shrank by about 27% that year, dropping to around €15.5 billion.…
-
Government plans multi-billion euro package for state participation in network operator Tennet
The German government is planning a targeted state investment in TenneT Germany because the energy system is bearing enormous burdens and a stable framework is essential. Bottlenecks in the transmission grid, increasing feed-in volumes, and pressure from international markets are creating additional needs for action. Focusing energy policy on robust structures increases security of supply…
-
Hydrogen cars are becoming obsolete – the federal government and Bavaria are betting on a dead horse with subsidies
The decision by the federal government and Bavaria to invest €273 million in BMW’s fuel cell project reveals a striking discrepancy between ambition and reality. Despite tight public budgets, money is flowing into a concept that is increasingly appearing obsolete. The political claim of technological neutrality seems like an attempt to mask doubts, while the…
-
Germany’s industry is reeling – many causes are intertwined
Germany is undergoing a period of profound upheaval, the causes of which are manifold and encompass both internal structural problems and external trade conflicts. The industrial crisis extends across mechanical engineering, automotive technology, and electronics, while increasing competitive pressure from China and the USA is exacerbating the situation. Underlying these developments are economic factors, growing…
-
Closure of five locations – International Paper cuts 500 jobs in Germany
International Paper is pushing ahead with a comprehensive restructuring in Germany that is deeply impacting several regions. The company, often referred to in the market as an IP group, is closing five sites, significantly reducing its industrial footprint. This move directly affects around 500 employees and simultaneously alters the dynamics of the packaging industry. International…
-
Strategy with gaps – government ignores actual power plant needs
Germany’s new power plant strategy promises security of supply, but its scope falls significantly short of requirements. According to the Federal Network Agency, an expansion of dispatchable capacity of up to 22.4 gigawatts is necessary in the target scenario and up to 35.5 gigawatts in the “delayed energy transition” scenario. The federal government is planning…
-
Shock for Schwarzheide – Fränkische Rohrwerke closes entire site
The Franconian Pipe Works, with around 140 employees, is facing permanent closure in Schwarzheide, a move that will severely impact many people in the district. The long-established company is increasingly under pressure due to rising energy prices and their consequences. At the same time, a shortage of skilled workers and scarce resources are worsening. Transportation…
-
The US halts global CO2 tax on cargo ships
The debate surrounding CO₂ emissions from cargo ships attracted considerable attention. At the International Maritime Organization meetings in London, the US delegation took a firm stance, rejecting a global levy on high-emission vessels. From the US perspective, this levy would have increased trade costs, as stricter emissions limits would have triggered substantial expenses. In discussions…
-
22,000 apple trees are to be cleared for a solar park
Long-standing fruit production is coming to an end on the site near Sarstedt-Ruthe because Leibniz University Hannover is planning a large-scale solar park there. A total of 22,000 apple trees are to be cleared for the project. The decision affects not only the use of the farmland but also the university’s increasing energy needs and…
-
Industrial electricity price – a costly mistake
The industrial electricity price dominates energy policy, but the very start of the debate reveals a remarkable spectacle: leading coalition representatives are patting themselves on the back, even though reality is making their self-portrayal absurd. While politicians speak of historic relief, businesses are struggling with record prices and increasing cost pressures. This discrepancy seems almost…
-
Prime Minister Haseloff states what most people already know – Germany is bankrupt
Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister-President Reiner Haseloff, appearing on Maybrit Illner’s talk show, used words that few top politicians express so openly. The longest-serving head of government in the country used a phrase that sounded like a blow to the political establishment: “We are essentially bankrupt.” This statement wasn’t uttered impulsively, but rather out of frustration with a…