http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:44:54 +0200 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:44:54 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/ausgestorben-geglaubter-hula-frosch-wiederentdeckt-a-903917.html#ref=rss Er ist eine biologische Sensation: Nach fast 60 Jahren ist der Hula-Frosch wieder aufgetaucht. Forscher entdeckten ihn in Israel. Das Tier gilt als echtes lebendes Fossil - es besitzt keine direkten Verwandten unter den heute lebenden Fröschen. Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/ausgestorben-geglaubter-hula-frosch-wiederentdeckt-a-903917.html 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/europe/european-co2-emissions-reduction-system-is-broken-a-892134.html#ref=rss Europe's cap-and-trade system for reducing the release of greenhouse gases is broken, but not everybody wants to fix it. Industry has profited immensely from the plummeting prices of CO2 emissions certificates, and from lax checks on questionable environmental projects undertaken overseas. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:19:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-co2-emissions-reduction-system-is-broken-a-892134.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/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/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/world/shell-mostly-cleared-by-dutch-court-in-nigeria-oil-spills-a-880568.html#ref=rss A closely watched environmental lawsuit against oil giant Shell has ended in mixed results. A court in The Hague cleared the company of wrongdoing in oil spills in the Niger Delta, but ordered its subsidiary to compensate one farmer for revenue lost because of the damage. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:36:07 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/shell-mostly-cleared-by-dutch-court-in-nigeria-oil-spills-a-880568.html A closely watched environmental lawsuit against oil giant Shell has ended in mixed results. A court in The Hague cleared the company of wrongdoing in oil spills in the Niger Delta, but ordered its subsidiary to compensate one farmer for revenue lost because of the damage.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/nigerian-farmers-take-on-shell-in-a-dutch-court-a-880159.html#ref=rss Four Nigerian villagers from the Niger River delta have challenged mighty Shell in a Dutch court. They complain that the oil giant has caused environmental devastation and ruined their homes. A verdict in the unprecedented case is expected on Wednesday. Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:08:52 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/nigerian-farmers-take-on-shell-in-a-dutch-court-a-880159.html Four Nigerian villagers from the Niger River delta have challenged mighty Shell in a Dutch court. They complain that the oil giant has caused environmental devastation and ruined their homes. A verdict in the unprecedented case is expected on Wednesday.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html#ref=rss Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:38:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/poland-stands-in-the-way-of-european-global-warming-efforts-a-874344.html Poland is addicted to coal. That is the message the country has been sending both domestically and internationally as Warsaw prepares to host the global climate summit next year. In Europe, the Poles are isolated in their fight for looser emissions reduction goals and against fixes to the EU's cap-and-trade system.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exploring-the-crumbling-soviet-oil-platform-city-of-neft-dashlari-a-867055.html#ref=rss In the 1950s, Soviet engineers built a massive city in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan. It was a network of oil platforms linked by hundreds of kilometers of roads and housing 5,000 workers, with a cinema, a park and apartment blocks. Gradually disintegrating but still closely guarded, this astonishing place inspired a fiery scene in a James Bond movie. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:39:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/exploring-the-crumbling-soviet-oil-platform-city-of-neft-dashlari-a-867055.html In the 1950s, Soviet engineers built a massive city in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan. It was a network of oil platforms linked by hundreds of kilometers of roads and housing 5,000 workers, with a cinema, a park and apartment blocks. Gradually disintegrating but still closely guarded, this astonishing place inspired a fiery scene in a James Bond movie. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-norway-s-foreign-minister-espen-barth-eide-on-arctic-drilling-a-863558.html#ref=rss The Arctic is changing at a breathtaking pace, which has oil and gas companies flocking to the region. SPIEGEL ONLINE talks to Norway's new Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide about the dangers of resource extraction and China's role in the High North. Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:08:58 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-norway-s-foreign-minister-espen-barth-eide-on-arctic-drilling-a-863558.html The Arctic is changing at a breathtaking pace, which has oil and gas companies flocking to the region. SPIEGEL ONLINE talks to Norway's new Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide about the dangers of resource extraction and China's role in the High North.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-looks-to-fix-problems-with-its-carbon-emissions-trading-system-a-863609.html#ref=rss Emitting CO2 into the atmosphere is dirt cheap in Europe these days. At just 8 euros per ton, the low price is undermining the European Union's effort to establish an effective cap and trade system. Implementing necessary fixes to the system, however, won't be easy in the face of industry opposition. Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:07:36 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-looks-to-fix-problems-with-its-carbon-emissions-trading-system-a-863609.html Emitting CO2 into the atmosphere is dirt cheap in Europe these days. At just 8 euros per ton, the low price is undermining the European Union's effort to establish an effective cap and trade system. Implementing necessary fixes to the system, however, won't be easy in the face of industry opposition.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/gazprom-eyeing-second-pipeline-as-nabucco-faces-failure-a-833501.html#ref=rss With the planned Nabucco natural gas pipeline in southern Europe hitting snag after snag, Russian natural gas giant Gazprom is considering the construction of a second Baltic Sea pipeline to go with the just-finished Nord Stream. With unconventional natural gas from the US flooding the market, however, the strategy is not without risk. Fri, 18 May 2012 11:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/gazprom-eyeing-second-pipeline-as-nabucco-faces-failure-a-833501.html With the planned Nabucco natural gas pipeline in southern Europe hitting snag after snag, Russian natural gas giant Gazprom is considering the construction of a second Baltic Sea pipeline to go with the just-finished Nord Stream. With unconventional natural gas from the US flooding the market, however, the strategy is not without risk.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/greenpeace-head-naidoo-and-the-new-strategy-against-climate-change-a-832709.html#ref=rss The environmental movement is losing momentum and governments around the world are ignoring their responsibility for slowing climate change. Greenpeace head Kumi Naidoo, however, remains optimistic. In an interview, he explains his new vision for a sustainable world -- and how the pope can help. Fri, 11 May 2012 17:54:10 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/greenpeace-head-naidoo-and-the-new-strategy-against-climate-change-a-832709.html The environmental movement is losing momentum and governments around the world are ignoring their responsibility for slowing climate change. Greenpeace head Kumi Naidoo, however, remains optimistic. In an interview, he explains his new vision for a sustainable world -- and how the pope can help.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/promising-carbon-capture-facility-launched-in-norway-despite-doubts-a-832284.html#ref=rss The world's largest facility for filtering carbon dioxide out of industrial emissions was inaugurated in Norway this week. While some see it as a godsend in efforts to reach environmental targets, others find the technology too dangerous and expensive. Fri, 11 May 2012 14:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/promising-carbon-capture-facility-launched-in-norway-despite-doubts-a-832284.html The world's largest facility for filtering carbon dioxide out of industrial emissions was inaugurated in Norway this week. While some see it as a godsend in efforts to reach environmental targets, others find the technology too dangerous and expensive.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iraq-hopes-oil-will-bring-prosperity-a-826447.html#ref=rss When the US toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, few people imagined that it would take another decade before the Iraqi oil industry was rebuilt. Now, progress is finally being made, and the country's massive reserves could bring untold wealth. But before that happens, Baghdad needs to improve security and get corruption under control. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/iraq-hopes-oil-will-bring-prosperity-a-826447.html When the US toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, few people imagined that it would take another decade before the Iraqi oil industry was rebuilt. Now, progress is finally being made, and the country's massive reserves could bring untold wealth. But before that happens, Baghdad needs to improve security and get corruption under control.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-german-fuel-taxes-have-been-a-bonanza-for-government-a-826004.html#ref=rss Over half of the price of gas in Germany -- or roughly 40 billion euros each year -- goes straight into federal coffers. These taxes are steeper than almost anywhere else in Europe, but they don't go toward the environmental goals used to justify them. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-german-fuel-taxes-have-been-a-bonanza-for-government-a-826004.html Over half of the price of gas in Germany -- or roughly 40 billion euros each year -- goes straight into federal coffers. These taxes are steeper than almost anywhere else in Europe, but they don't go toward the environmental goals used to justify them.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/elgin-natural-gas-leak-highlights-drilling-risks-in-north-sea-a-825202.html#ref=rss The Elgin natural gas drilling operation was highly dangerous but fruitful -- until it sprung an unexpected leak that nearly caused an environmental disaster. The out-of-control situation highlights increasingly risky "extreme drilling" efforts to extract the valuable fuel from deep below the North Sea. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:18:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/elgin-natural-gas-leak-highlights-drilling-risks-in-north-sea-a-825202.html The Elgin natural gas drilling operation was highly dangerous but fruitful -- until it sprung an unexpected leak that nearly caused an environmental disaster. The out-of-control situation highlights increasingly risky "extreme drilling" efforts to extract the valuable fuel from deep below the North Sea.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/companies-prepare-for-post-oil-future-a-825171.html#ref=rss Drivers may hate rising gas prices, but some companies are delighted as they watch the oil price soar. Firms like BMW and Airbus which are leaders in fuel efficiency actually benefit from expensive oil. They are just two of a growing number of companies that are already developing technologies for a post-fossil-fuel world. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:59:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/companies-prepare-for-post-oil-future-a-825171.html Drivers may hate rising gas prices, but some companies are delighted as they watch the oil price soar. Firms like BMW and Airbus which are leaders in fuel efficiency actually benefit from expensive oil. They are just two of a growing number of companies that are already developing technologies for a post-fossil-fuel world. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/total-weighs-options-for-responding-to-gas-leak-at-elgin-north-sea-platform-a-824635.html#ref=rss French energy giant Total is frantically trying to respond to a natural gas leak discovered this week on one of its platforms off the eastern coast of Scotland. As it weighs options for plugging the leak, the threat of a major explosion and environmental catastrophe loom. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:51:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/total-weighs-options-for-responding-to-gas-leak-at-elgin-north-sea-platform-a-824635.html French energy giant Total is frantically trying to respond to a natural gas leak discovered this week on one of its platforms off the eastern coast of Scotland. As it weighs options for plugging the leak, the threat of a major explosion and environmental catastrophe loom.]]>