Dear friends and colleagues, With energy prices remaining high and supplies uncertain, the struggle to keep lights on and populations heated through winter is forcing changes to even the best laid plans like Germany’s intended December 31st 2022 nuclear end date. As our authors review, the controversial decision to extend the run times of Germany’s three remaining nuclear power plants through spring remains a bitter pill for many. But an assured end date, as you’re reading this, is just months away. Additionally, as Paul Hockenos points out, nuclear anywhere may not be a safe bet to ensure grid balance as renewables flood Europe’s energy grids. Example A: France. But lurking always in the background, as he and our other authors remind, are rising global temperatures. This November world leaders came together in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt for COP27, the first such forum to be held in Africa. Opening months after much of the global north lived through their hottest-ever summers, one of the strongest messages from negotiators from throughout Africa and the global south was that to keep warming in check, they needed assistance to transition away from fossil fuels – much of which they reminded, was burned in the emissions-heavy north. In that sense, as lead blogger and podcaster Michael Buchsbaum discusses in his Colombian Conundrum series, crafting a just transition plan for the whole planet requires new thinking. Please note that we will pause publications briefly from December 26th until January 8th. We hope you find these articles inspiring and look forward to sharing more in the new year. Your Global Energy Transition Blog Team,
Martin Keim, Lisa Sandtner, Michael Buchsbaum, Joan Lanfranco and Leona Schmitt | 
