http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Fri, 24 May 2013 04:40:17 +0200 Fri, 24 May 2013 04:40:17 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html#ref=rss Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:28:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/australia-debates-how-to-protect-the-great-barrier-reef-a-900911.html Australia's Great Barrier Reef is rapidly losing its coral, to the point that UNESCO may soon place the natural wonder on its "in danger" list. Climate change is one culprit, but so is the country's booming extraction industry. Environmentalists warn that time is running out for the reef.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deutsche-bank-backs-ruthless-rubber-lords-in-laos-a-899324.html#ref=rss Vietnamese companies have been ruthlessly taking advantage of Laotian locals and their environment to create vast rubber plantations. The "rubber lords" are also getting support for the land grabs from Germany's Deutsche Bank, which is violating its ethics and sustainability policies, critics say. Wed, 15 May 2013 10:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/deutsche-bank-backs-ruthless-rubber-lords-in-laos-a-899324.html Vietnamese companies have been ruthlessly taking advantage of Laotian locals and their environment to create vast rubber plantations. The "rubber lords" are also getting support for the land grabs from Germany's Deutsche Bank, which is violating its ethics and sustainability policies, critics say. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/critics-propose-economy-with-less-growth-and-environmental-damage-a-897550.html#ref=rss For years, economists have posited that prosperity requires growth, with environmental damage as the regrettable but unavoidable consequence. A growing number of critics are now challenging this equation, though, calling for a radical revamping of the economic system. Thu, 02 May 2013 16:23:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/critics-propose-economy-with-less-growth-and-environmental-damage-a-897550.html For years, economists have posited that prosperity requires growth, with environmental damage as the regrettable but unavoidable consequence. A growing number of critics are now challenging this equation, though, calling for a radical revamping of the economic system.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/dutch-study-dredging-damaging-elbe-river-ecosystem-a-895853.html#ref=rss A Dutch study could put a stop to an already controversial project to deepen the Elbe River, SPIEGEL has learned. It warns that if dredging continues, damage to the river's ecosystem would likely be irreparable. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/dutch-study-dredging-damaging-elbe-river-ecosystem-a-895853.html A Dutch study could put a stop to an already controversial project to deepen the Elbe River, SPIEGEL has learned. It warns that if dredging continues, damage to the river's ecosystem would likely be irreparable.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/researchers-are-hoping-to-boost-lobster-populations-in-the-north-sea-a-895477.html#ref=rss Scientists are hoping to revitalize the lobster population off the German island of Helgoland, and are enlisting the help of a nearby offshore wind farm whose rocky foundations make a good habitat. But there's potential for trouble: These aggressive crustaceans have a tendency to eat each other. Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:33:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/researchers-are-hoping-to-boost-lobster-populations-in-the-north-sea-a-895477.html Scientists are hoping to revitalize the lobster population off the German island of Helgoland, and are enlisting the help of a nearby offshore wind farm whose rocky foundations make a good habitat. But there's potential for trouble: These aggressive crustaceans have a tendency to eat each other.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-parliament-rejects-reform-of-carbon-emissions-trade-a-894842.html#ref=rss Europe's once celebrated cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions has languished. The economic crisis has caused the price of emissions licenses to plummet, and a recent remedy to the problem has been rejected by EU lawmakers. Climate policy expert Felix Matthes tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that an opportunity has been squandered. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:38:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-parliament-rejects-reform-of-carbon-emissions-trade-a-894842.html Europe's once celebrated cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions has languished. The economic crisis has caused the price of emissions licenses to plummet, and a recent remedy to the problem has been rejected by EU lawmakers. Climate policy expert Felix Matthes tells SPIEGEL ONLINE that an opportunity has been squandered.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/legacy-danger-old-nuclear-waste-found-in-english-channel-a-893991.html#ref=rss German journalists have discovered barrels of radioactive waste on the floor of the English Channel, just a handful of thousands dumped there decades ago. It was previously thought the material had dissipated. Now politicians are calling for the removal of the potentially harmful containers. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:34:06 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/legacy-danger-old-nuclear-waste-found-in-english-channel-a-893991.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/environmentalists-combat-iron-pollution-in-east-german-spree-river-a-893886.html#ref=rss The Spree River region in Eastern Germany is a major tourist destination, known for its picturesque, meandering tributaries. But now tons of iron ochre flushed up from brown-coal pit mines are turning the river brown, killing plants and animals, and threatening to drive visitors away from its prime attraction. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:57:53 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/environmentalists-combat-iron-pollution-in-east-german-spree-river-a-893886.html The Spree River region in Eastern Germany is a major tourist destination, known for its picturesque, meandering tributaries. But now tons of iron ochre flushed up from brown-coal pit mines are turning the river brown, killing plants and animals, and threatening to drive visitors away from its prime attraction.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-eu-fishing-methods-reduce-by-catch-waste-a-889789.html#ref=rss Each day, fishermen throw away countless tons of unintentionally caught marine animals, many of them dead or dying. As the European Union prepares to ban the practice, biologists are developing methods of reducing what's known as by-catch. Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:20:18 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/new-eu-fishing-methods-reduce-by-catch-waste-a-889789.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html#ref=rss The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-renewable-energy-policy-takes-toll-on-nature-conservation-a-888094.html The German government is carrying out a rapid expansion of renewable energies like wind, solar and biogas, yet the process is taking a toll on nature conservation. The issue is causing a rift in the environmental movement, pitting "green energy" supporters against ecologists.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-union-seeks-tougher-regulation-of-logging-industry-a-887071.html#ref=rss Until recently, European companies could import illegally felled lumber with no fear of prosecution. New EU regulations are meant to take a tougher stance, but individual member states still write most of their own rules. Critics say Germany is falling short. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:22:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-union-seeks-tougher-regulation-of-logging-industry-a-887071.html Until recently, European companies could import illegally felled lumber with no fear of prosecution. New EU regulations are meant to take a tougher stance, but individual member states still write most of their own rules. Critics say Germany is falling short.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/chinese-leaders-forced-to-counter-environmental-pollution-a-886901.html#ref=rss China's power plants and factories are spewing out toxic emissions and covering the country with smog and grime. For the new leadership, protecting the neglected environment has become a question of preserving its power. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 13:40:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/chinese-leaders-forced-to-counter-environmental-pollution-a-886901.html China's power plants and factories are spewing out toxic emissions and covering the country with smog and grime. For the new leadership, protecting the neglected environment has become a question of preserving its power. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/milan-architects-build-vertical-forest-apartment-towers-a-886153.html#ref=rss A forest is being planted in central Milan, but it won't look like a typical wooded landscape. Architects in the Italian city have created "Vertical Forest" residential towers that aim to bring a bit of nature back to the concrete jungle. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:58:11 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/milan-architects-build-vertical-forest-apartment-towers-a-886153.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-coalition-agrees-on-regulations-for-fracking-industry-a-885613.html#ref=rss Chancellor Angela Merkel's government on Monday took an important step toward establishing regulations for fracking, the controversial method of exploiting unconventional gas deposits. A natural gas boom similar to the one in the US seems unlikely. Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:14:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-coalition-agrees-on-regulations-for-fracking-industry-a-885613.html Chancellor Angela Merkel's government on Monday took an important step toward establishing regulations for fracking, the controversial method of exploiting unconventional gas deposits. A natural gas boom similar to the one in the US seems unlikely.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-science-research-shows-dangerous-carbon-lurking-in-permafrost-a-885052.html#ref=rss Research published Thursday in the journal <i>Science</i> says that even slightly warmer temperatures could start melting permafrost, which in turn threatens to trigger the release of huge amounts of greenhouse gases trapped in ice. Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:21:21 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/new-science-research-shows-dangerous-carbon-lurking-in-permafrost-a-885052.html Science says that even slightly warmer temperatures could start melting permafrost, which in turn threatens to trigger the release of huge amounts of greenhouse gases trapped in ice.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weighs-options-for-handling-nuclear-waste-in-asse-mine-a-884523.html#ref=rss Some 126,000 barrels of nuclear waste have been dumped in the Asse II salt mine over the last 50 years. German politicians are pushing for a law promising their removal. But the safety, technical and financial hurdles are enormous, and experts warn that removal is more dangerous than leaving them put. Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:03:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-weighs-options-for-handling-nuclear-waste-in-asse-mine-a-884523.html Some 126,000 barrels of nuclear waste have been dumped in the Asse II salt mine over the last 50 years. German politicians are pushing for a law promising their removal. But the safety, technical and financial hurdles are enormous, and experts warn that removal is more dangerous than leaving them put.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-government-stance-on-fracking-becomes-campaign-issue-a-883482.html#ref=rss Germans are wary of fracking, but that hasn't stopped Berlin from moving ahead to create legal guidelines for the controversial natural gas extraction method. The opposition is up in arms and the issue could dog Chancellor Merkel as she campaigns for re-election. Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:24:55 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-government-stance-on-fracking-becomes-campaign-issue-a-883482.html Germans are wary of fracking, but that hasn't stopped Berlin from moving ahead to create legal guidelines for the controversial natural gas extraction method. The opposition is up in arms and the issue could dog Chancellor Merkel as she campaigns for re-election.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/global-ship-breaking-business-booms-as-container-industry-suffers-a-883122.html#ref=rss The infamous oil tanker <i>Exxon Valdez</i> is almost completely gone, most of it having already been recycled in India's voracious steel mills. But its dismantling on a beach in India has once again highlighted the dangers, both environmental and physical, associated with the booming ship-breaking industry. Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:17:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/global-ship-breaking-business-booms-as-container-industry-suffers-a-883122.html The infamous oil tanker Exxon Valdez is almost completely gone, most of it having already been recycled in India's voracious steel mills. But its dismantling on a beach in India has once again highlighted the dangers, both environmental and physical, associated with the booming ship-breaking industry.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-wants-to-end-moratorium-on-fracking-in-germany-a-882313.html#ref=rss Germany's governing coalition wants to quickly put an end to a virtual moratorium on the controversial shale gas extraction method of fracking in the country, SPIEGEL has learned. Officials want to have plans finished before the federal election this autumn. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:45:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-wants-to-end-moratorium-on-fracking-in-germany-a-882313.html Germany's governing coalition wants to quickly put an end to a virtual moratorium on the controversial shale gas extraction method of fracking in the country, SPIEGEL has learned. Officials want to have plans finished before the federal election this autumn. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-union-debates-environmental-costs-of-agriculture-subsidies-a-881447.html#ref=rss European Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos wants to reform Europe's agricultural policy, but resistance from the farming lobby threatens to derail his plans. It will be to the detriment of citizens, who are expected to pay for a highly subsidized industry that is harmful to the environment. Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:21:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-union-debates-environmental-costs-of-agriculture-subsidies-a-881447.html European Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos wants to reform Europe's agricultural policy, but resistance from the farming lobby threatens to derail his plans. It will be to the detriment of citizens, who are expected to pay for a highly subsidized industry that is harmful to the environment.]]>