German renewables with gas at $9.50 per gallon

Dr. Klaus Scharioth (wikipedia here), Germany’s Ambassador to the US, spoke at a World Affairs of Oregon luncheon today (3/10/11). Mayor Adams introduced him. While Scharioth gave an eloquent and informative talk, touching upon such global issues as the North African revolutions, the expansion of nuclear weapons, climate and energy policies, failing states, and Iran, let me focus on only two points.

First, in his talk he spoke at length about Germany’s reduction in carbon emissions by 28% while increasing its GDP by 30%, but it was not until a question that he revealed that gasoline is now about $9.50 per gallon in Germany. And while Germany has lots of plans to develop renewal sources of energy, those plans are based on this fundamental fact: in a market economy, like ours or Germany’s, prices need to increase on items, like carbon emission, that we want to use less. That’s what works. Germany is willing to do that (and in Oregon, and the US, we are not).

Second, I asked him privately after his luncheon talk if there was a connection between Germany’s strong export growth and foreign languages in the educational system, and whether Germany used public funds to pay for study abroad. He said yes, of course, there is a very deliberate connection between foreign language programs in their educational system and their efforts to increase exports. All university graduates are required to know two languages with the grade on their language tests as part of their degree. Some universities, such as where his daughter attends, require six months spent abroad for graduation. All elementary (no public kindergarten), secondary and university education is free in Germany and across Europe. German students can attend universities in other countries for free. Scharioth did not answer clearly whether Germany paid for its high school students to study abroad. But it is worth noting that, according to CSIET (here, page 67), Germany sends far more high school students to study in the US than any other country (in 2010-11 Germany sent 7,953 compared to number two China at 2,292).

Comments

[louboutin sale]

Second, I asked him privately after his luncheon talk if there was a connection between Germany’s strong export growth and foreign languages in the educational system,

[christian louboutin sale]

Mayor Adams introduced him. While Scharioth gave an eloquent and informative talk, touching upon such global issues as the North African revolutions,

[christian louboutin]

Some universities, such as where his daughter attends, require six months spent abroad for graduation.

[Tory Burch]

All university graduates 3 10 11 013edited are required to know two languages with the grade on their language tests as part of their degree.

[Pandora Bracelets]

All university graduates 3 10 11 013edited are required to know two languages with the grade on their language tests as part of their degree.