2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
Europe
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Cleaner Shipping Rules To Hit Fuel Oil Market
New regulations that will force the shipping industry to switch to cleaner fuel could snuff out nearly a quarter of European demand for fuel oil by 2015. The package of measures will add to the woes of the dirtiest and least profitable oil product: sludgy, bottom of the barrel fuel oil left behind from refining more profitable motor fuels.
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China Racing Ahead of U.S. in Drive to Go Solar
President Obama wants to make the United States
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Solar power scorches ahead globally, but India still far behind
Chennai: Solar thermal heating system is fast replacing petrofuels globally and China is leading the fray, followed closely by Germany . India is considered to have a vast potential but only a nano-fraction has been achieved so far.
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Solar Thermal Company eSolar Expands In Africa
Solar thermal power company eSolar Inc said on Friday it granted South African company Clean Energy Solutions exclusive rights to represent and distribute eSolar's concentrating solar power technology across seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Johannesburg-based Clean Energy Solutions develops renewable energy projects.
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Solar superpower: Should Europe run on Sahara sun?
Giant electricity plants in the Sahara desert could provide 15 per cent of Europe's power. But there may be better solar solutions closer to home.
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Every little helps
A new winter tradition is emerging in Britain. Whenever a cold snap occurs, commentators fret that the country
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Euro crisis cools oil, eases subsidy burden in India
Noor Mohammad New Delhi: While the euro zone debt crisis is a looming threat to the global economy, it has brought some cheer to policymakers here. Global crude prices have fallen by $15 a barrel thanks to the European turmoil, a development which stands the Indian government in good stead as it tries to cut the worrisome fiscal deficit, as lower oil prices would reduce its subsidy burden.
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Shale gas transforms geopolitics, energy
For decades, India has kowtowed to Gulf countries, notably Iran. With large shale gas deposits and new technology to extract it, India can afford to act tough, says Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar.
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Power to the European market
<p>Oil and gas are being drained from under the North Sea. But its time as Europe’s energy reservoir is not over. Along its shores and on its waters, thousands of turbines are being built to harness the winds. Next month ministers from ten countries will sign a pact to start work on an underwater electrical grid to link up these disparate projects.
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An end to gridlock?
Europe says it is embarking on an unprecedented overhaul of its electricity system. But it must do more to convince the private sector that it is serious. (Editorial)