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IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
Germany’s nuclear waste problem
On 30 December, Germany announced that it will shut down three out of its last six nuclear power stations as part of the shift from nuclear power to renewables. It had begun closing down its nuclear plants following the Fukushima reactor meltdown that took place in Japan in 2011. It is said that the last remaining reactors Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II have been scheduled to be shut down by 2022. According to the energy industry association Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW) head Kerstin Andreae: “For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final.”
What are the issues?
The phasing out of nuclear energy began when former German Chancellor Angela Merkel launched safety assessments of all nuclear power plants in 2011. Since then, many countries have started switching to other forms of energy production considering the problem of nuclear waste and safety.
Nuclear energy and coal have been a vital source for Germany contributing 57 per cent of electricity. This increased from 12.9 per cent to 14.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2021. With the shut down of nuclear plants, there is scope for the emergence of various issues. One, more dependency on coal which is not a climate-friendly option as it fuels pollution. Two, safety. It remains a threat both for people and the environment to live around a closed nuclear facility. Three, disposal of nuclear waste. Germany is yet to strategize a mechanism to clear the dump from the dismantling of nuclear reactors and it has already run out of space to securely store the radioactive material. So far, the government has marked 2031 to finalize permanent storage for nuclear waste. Four, due to the closing of the nuclear facilities, job loss is likely. Five, for Europe it’s a larger problem for its climate goals and energy crisis.
What does this mean for Germany?
First, the climate problem. Germany, which is shifting from nuclear energy to coal, needs to rethink whether it is a viable option for its high-end climate goals. The amount of pollution emitted from the use of coal and the parallel issue of handling the disposal of nuclear waste is a red flag for Germany’s environment.
Second, a possible site for nuclear disposal. With the Gorleben mine not qualifying the standards for holding the nuclear dump. Germany needs to act quickly to plan repositories that will hold good and prevent radioactive waves from affecting its people.
Third, a tricky challenge for the new government. The new coalition government will have to deal with the problem tactically before the patience amongst the public turns into protests.
References:
“Germany to pull the plug on three of its last six nuclear plants,” Reuters, 30 December 2021.
“Nuclear power to the rescue?” Deutsche Welle, 07 December 2021.
Anne Maillet, “'Not in my backyard: The thorny issue of storing German nuclear waste,” France24, 06 December 2021.
“Germany to shut controversial Gorleben nuclear waste facility,” Deutsche Welle, 17 September 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Ashwin Dhanabalan
POLAND
Kaczynski condemns German efforts of changing EU into “fourth reich”
On 24 December, the Law and Justice party (PiS) leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski condemned German efforts at converting the EU into a “German fourth reich”, while speaking to Polish newspaper GPC. He said: “(some countries) are not enthusiastic at the prospect of a German fourth reich being built on the basis of the EU… If we Poles agreed with this kind of modern-day submission we would be degraded in different ways.” Poland, has earlier, accused the EU of “bureaucratic centralism” and stated that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) was “instrumentalized” for forwarding its “federalist ideas”. (“Polish deputy PM says Germany wants to turn EU into 'fourth reich',” The Guardian, 24 December 2021)
RUSSIA
Google fined EUR 73 million for not acting on illegal content in the country
On 24 December, a court in Moscow ruled a judgment against Google and fined it EUR 73 million for not acting on content that the country deemed illegal. As reported by The Guardian, the court's ruling came after Russia "ordered companies to delete posts promoting drug abuse and dangerous pastimes and information about homemade weapons and explosives, as well as ones by groups it designates as extremist or terrorist". Russia's actions have been criticized as BBC reported that analysts speculated Moscow to use the campaign to further "…clamp down on free speech and online dissent". Moscow has additionally demanded big tech platforms like Google and Meta to set up companies in Russia by 01 January 2022; else, they would face potential restrictions and bans. ("Russia fines Google £73m over failure to delete 'illegal' content," The Guardian, 24 December 2021; "Russia fines Google over illegal content breach," BBC, 24 December 2021)
SPAIN
Canary Islands: La Palma volcano eruption ends
On 25 December, Spanish officials on the island of La Palma announced the volcanic eruption to have ended. The declaration came after the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, showed reduced activity for 10 continuous days. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his relief on the same and commented: “We will continue working together, all the institutions, to relaunch the wonderful island of La Palma and repair the damage caused.” He also termed the announcement “the best Christmas present”. The Spanish government has promised funding of EUR 225 million in recovery efforts. The Canaries’ Volcanic Emergency Committee Director Julio Perez said: “It’s not joy or satisfaction – how we can define what we feel? it ‘s an emotional relief. And hope. Because now, we can apply ourselves and focus completely on the rebuilding work.” The eruption began on 19 September 2021 and has till date caused property damage worth EUR 900 million. No casualties have been reported so far. (“Spain declares end to La Palma volcano eruption,” Deutsche Welle, 25 December 2021)
REGIONAL
Putin on Ukrainian border standoff: “We have nowhere to retreat”
On 26 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking on state television said: “We have nowhere to retreat… They have pushed us to a line that we can’t cross. They have taken it to the point where we simply must tell them ‘Stop!’” He further stated the threat posed by NATO if it were to deploy missiles from Ukraine which would reach Moscow in around five minutes. The statements followed NATO proposing to initiate talks with Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry was quoted by TASS saying: “We have already received this (NATO) offer, and we are considering it.” Putin also expressed his concern over long-drawn negotiations. He stated: “They will talk endlessly, talk endlessly about the need for negotiations, and do nothing. Except pumping the neighbouring country with modern weapons systems, and increasing the threat to the Russian Federation, which we have to do something with, somehow to live with… I don't see anything bad here. It puts everyone involved in this process in a certain framework. But there is only one goal for us – to reach agreements that would ensure the security of Russia and its citizens today and in the long term.” (“Putin says ′diverse′ options open to fight Western ′threat′,” Deutsche Welle, 26 December 2021)
Russian troops along the Ukrainian border return to permanent bases
On 25 December, Deutsche Welle reported the Russian Defense Ministry to have released a statement that said: “the operations for the Southern Military District forces had taken place across a stream of southern regions, including Rostov, Krasnodar and Crimea.” Around 10,000 troops are said to have left the border – returning to permanent bases – after completing military drills which lasted for a month. This de-escalation comes amid hopes of talks between the US and Russia along with NATO which is scheduled for the beginning of January 2022. On 24 December, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on the same, saying: “to discuss de-escalation, we expect our opponents in Washington to provide specific answers to our proposals in January.” He also maintained that it was up to Russia how it dealt with its troops. He added: “Whatever Russia does with its troops, it does that on its own territory and we can’t allow anyone to challenge that sovereign right… Russia takes certain action to move and redeploy its armed forces on its territory in view of unfriendly moves by our opponents from Nato, the US and some European countries that have made unambiguous maneouvres near our borders, conducted reconnaissance flights and deployed warships.” There also exist possibilities of talks under the Normandy Format. (“Thousands of Russian troops leave Ukraine border,” Deutsche Welle, 26 December 2021; “Ukraine: Russian consulate in Lviv hit by molotov cocktail,” The Guardian, 24 December 2021)
MIGRATION
Greece: 16 dead after migrant boat capsizes near Paros islands
On 25 December, 16 migrants died while crossing the Aegean Sea as their boat capsized near the island of Paros. Greek authorities carried out an extensive search operation that continued for almost two days, searching for survivors. This is the third incident of capsizing boats in three days that has led to the death of 30 migrants till now, and the recent trends suggest that the traffickers have changed their route for smuggling migrants. Earlier the coast of Greece was a lucrative entry point for migrants, but the extended high wall at the Turkish border and the Greek coast guard’s timely intervention of migrant boats has reduced the influx of people from this route. The locations where the recent boats capsized were Antikythera, Folegandros and Paros, and neither are close to the usual way for smugglers. The coast guard speculates that the ships were heading towards Italy to avoid getting caught by Greek authorities in the eastern Aegean Sea. (Niki Kitsantonis, "At Least 16 Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Greece," The New York Times, 25 December 2021; "At least 16 dead after third migrant boat in three days sinks in Greek waters," The Guardian, 25 December 2021)
Bodies of Iraqi Kurd migrants repatriated
On 26 December, the bodies of 16 Kurdish migrants who lost their lives trying to cross the English Channel were repatriated to Iraqi Kurdistan. According to UN reports, the 24 November incident has been the highest loss of migrants attempting to cross the channel since 2014. The incident claimed the lives of 27 migrants who tried to cross the Channel in a dinghy that deflated. As reported by Deutsche Welle: "Of the 27 who died, 26 have been identified. In addition to the 16 ethnic Kurds from Iraq, the victims included an Iranian Kurd, four Afghan men, three Ethiopians, a Somali and an Egyptian." French investigators are still probing the incident as the survivors mentioned they tried telephoning British and French emergency services, but neither responded to help. The repatriation was set to happen on 24 December but was postponed twice for various reasons. ("Bodies of Kurdish migrants who drowned in English Channel repatriated," Deutsche Welle, 26 December 2021; "Iraqi Kurds mourn their dead from Channel migrant boat tragedy as bodies repatriated," France24, 27 December 2021)
The UK: Authorities rescue 67 migrants trying to cross the Channel
On 25 December, the UK authorities rescued 67 migrants trying to cross the English Channel on Christmas. Minister of Justice Tom Pursglove said: "The public have been crying out for reform for two decades and that's what this government is delivering through our new plan for immigration," as the UK was reforming its nationality and borders bill to change its approach to people crossing the channel. He also mentioned how "the nationality and borders bill will make it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally, and introduce life sentences for those who facilitate illegal entry into the country". In addition, this bill would strengthen the Border Force to deter vessels from crossing the Channel and encourage people to seek asylum in the first safe country they reach rather than crossing the treacherous Channel. ("Border Force picks up 67 people after Christmas Day attempt to cross Channel," The Guardian, 25 December 2021)