Germany's green dreams meet harsh reality (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

David Shukman
Science editor

A vision for a greener future for the world seems very distant if you descend into the heart of one of Germany's largest coal mines.
***
This mirrors Germany's own ambitions with a plan known as the Energiewende, best translated as "energy transition", which calls for at least 80% of power to come from renewable sources by 2050.

But south of Berlin in the region of Lausitz, down at the coal face in a mine called Welszow-South, machines the size of office blocks gouge out chunks of lignite and low-carbon dreams hardly seem plausible.
***
The lignite, also known as brown coal, is one of the dirtiest, most polluting kinds of fuel, but it helps generate no less than 26% of Germany's electricity.

Add in the country's harder black coal as well and you find that nearly half of the country's electricity comes from the one source which climate scientists argue most needs to be phased out.
***
more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26988695

[Benton D Struckcheon]

1. Needs a link. n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Done, thanks. nt

[WhiteTara]

3. k&r

[Rod Beauvex]

4. The sun.

The world has giant deserts sitting around doing nothing.