Top news: Germany moves towards renewable sources; BP attempts to influence independent research on Gulf of Mexico oil spill; alternative energy sources found to be cheaper than coal and nuclear.
© Gordon Welters / Greenpeace
# BP: BP financed a $500m research project on the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, but intended to influence the results, according to an email obtained by Greenpeace UK that shows BP officials discussing how to influence the independent research on the consequences of the massive oil spill.
In the email, BP environmental expert Russell Putt wrote: “Can we 'direct' GRI [Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative] funding to a specific study (as we now see the governor's offices trying to do)? What influence do we have over the vessels/equipment driving the studies Vs the questions?”
#Nuclear: Germany is moving towards a transition from nuclear to renewable energy sources, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel. The ambitious German attempt was welcomed by Kumi Naidoo during an anti-nuclear protest in Germany. Kumi said that he hopes for a clear message from Germany, as this message will drive other countries, such as South Africa, to follow the German example in considering “nuclear power as a false solution to addressing climate change”.
#Alternative energy: While skeptics claim that alternative sources are more expensive, and not as effective as coal and nuclear energy, a study commissioned by German green electricity supplier Greenpeace Energy reveals that this is a myth. The study presented yesterday shows that coal and nuclear power plants are almost twice as expensive as plants run on renewable energy sources.
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