Response #14- Big Names Willing to Make Big Changes

It is amazing how a well written article can help a person to understand something they knew nothing about to begin with.  That is what Kate Connolly has done with her article “German blue chip firms throw weight behind north African solar project”.   Kate Connolly’s writing is easy to read, easy to understand, and lets the reader come to their own conclusion on the issue discussed.  Ms. Connolly shows an unbiased and objective stance that readers can appreciate. 

This article discusses how twenty blue chip German companies are willing to come together, using their resources, in hopes of changing the way Europe gets its energy.  These companies are investing in the future and hoping to help change the current global warming crisis we are facing.  They are working on a technique called “concentrated solar power” which will harness the sun’s rays to heat water, turn it into steam, and drive turbines that will create carbon-free electricity.  The way the author relays this information is direct and to the point without too many technical terms that can throw the reader off. 

Kate Connolly also uses direct quotes from members of the project allowing the readers to get first-hand information.  Not all of these quotes are from proponents of the project however, which presents some potential problems with the project.  Although investors are expecting the project to be expensive, others voice concerns that the costs will be much more than expected.  There are also concerns about having solar power plants in faraway countries such as Libya, Morocco, and Algeria where sandstorms are prevalent and there is always potential for poor negotiations when more countries are involved.

Overall, this is a well written article that is focused and informative.  Anyone can read this article and have a fairly clear idea of what the project is, who is involved, what some of the pros and cons may be, and also gain some hope that not all large companies are unwilling to take a look at changing some of our world’s destructive ways.

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