Since the 1970s, France’s commitment to nuclear energy has been axiomatic and based on a societal consensus that it provides energy independence as well as a source of energy which is both clean and green. The green component of the argument rests on the assertion – taught to all engineering students as gospel – that [...]
Archive for the ‘climate change’ Category
Documentary explodes myth of nuclear energy as clean and green
Posted in climate change, recycling, renewable energy, waste disposal on October 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
French panel urges carbon tax
Posted in climate change, policy on August 1, 2009 | 1 Comment »
A French government panel has recommended the imposition of a carbon tax on transport and heating fuel as soon as 2010. The panel, headed by former Prime Minister Michel Rocard, recommended last month that the tax be imposed on all citizens “without exception and exemption”. A commitment to the carbon tax was one of the [...]
High stakes for food security at Tunis meeting
Posted in agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, food on June 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I just returned from Tunis where the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources is holding its 3rd Governing Body session. Getting funding for the Treaty and stimulating the free and unimpeded (by seed companies) flow worldwide of crop genetic resources among plant breeders and scientists is an uphill battle, which all those present at [...]
France launches Grenelle on Oceans
Posted in Grenelle, biodiversity, climate change, food, water on March 6, 2009 | 1 Comment »
France’s Environment Minister, Jean-Louis Borloo, announced last month the launch of a “Grenelle de la Mer”, modelled on the Grenelle on the Environment and focused exclusively on problems related to fishing and the oceans. The idea is to bring together experts, stakeholders and representatives of the government and business to hammer out a long-term strategic [...]
Total launches pilot carbon capture project near Pau
Posted in climate change on January 23, 2009 | 1 Comment »
French oil and gas giant Total recently launched €60 million project to capture carbon from a gas-fired power plant near Pau in southwest France, treat it and transport it 30 kms along an existing gas line to a depleted gas reservoir in the Lacq field, one of France’s major natural gas sources. Here, the CO2 [...]
What’s left of the Grenelle?
Posted in Grenelle, biodiversity, climate change, health, policy, renewable energy, transport on December 18, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Eighteen months after the Grenelle de l’Environnement, it’s worth taking a look at what’s left of the promises made by President Sarkozy and Jean-Louis Borloo in October 2007. At the time, the meeting was welcomed as innovative and participatory because it brought NGOs into the decision-making process.
Since then those same NGOs have been criticized for [...]
France to create bee research institute and “Bee Czar”
Posted in agriculture, biodiversity, climate change, food on October 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Last week, France’s Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier unveiled a plan to create a scientific institute to conduct bee research aimed at stemming colony collapse disorder, as well as the appointment of a “Bee Czar”. Every year, 30-35 percent of the bee colonies do not survive the winter and the suspects include predators, pesticides and climate [...]
France to offer 30,000-euro zero interest loan for eco-renovation
Posted in Grenelle, climate change, design and architecture, policy on September 13, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Home owners in France take note. The French government is planning to offer a zero-interest loan of up to 30,000 euros for eco-renovation. If approved, this plan will take effect as part of the 2009 budget. Dubbed “éco-PTZ” (pret a taux zero), the loan is open to anyone, with no revenue conditions attached, and is [...]
Summer reading list
Posted in biodiversity, climate change, food, media, renewable energy on July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Bastille Day signals the start of summer in France, and, as if by magic, the weather has gone from grey and chilly to picture perfect for the national holiday. Here’s my list of books to read for the summer. What’s on yours?
“Une mer sans poissons” by Philippe Cury and Yves Miserey
“Resilience Thinking” by Brian Walker [...]
