The Intelligence: Europe is not so hot on its green parties
Mar 12, 2024
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Matt Steinglass, Europe correspondent for The Economist, discusses the paradox of Europe’s climate crisis, where tangible impacts like melting glaciers are failing to sway voters toward green parties. He explores public perceptions and political choices in light of extreme weather events. Michael Reid, Writer-at-large, reviews Gabriel García Márquez's controversial posthumous novella, sparking ethical debates around the integrity of publishing unfinished works. This lively dialogue blends climate issues with literary insights and technology trends in the eyewear industry.
European voters are slow to shift towards green parties despite experiencing extreme weather events, showing a disconnect between climate impact and political action.
Luxottica's transition into tech, producing smart glasses and hearing aids, diversifies its offerings and targets a new market segment.
Deep dives
Climate Change Impacts in Europe
Warmer temperatures in Europe are leading to extreme weather events like floods and droughts, impacting areas such as the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Despite these events, there is a lack of political will to address climate change, with support for anti-environmental parties increasing. Studies show that extreme weather events do not always translate to long-term changes in public opinion on climate change.
Luxottica's Tech Pivot
Luxottica, a major eyewear maker, is shifting focus to tech with the launch of smart glasses and glasses with built-in hearing aids. The company aims to lead in smart glasses technology through partnerships with companies like Meta and Apple. The glasses with built-in hearing aids address a large market of people with minor to moderate hearing loss, offering a discreet and cost-effective alternative to traditional hearing aids.
Controversy Over Posthumous Publication
The posthumous publication of a novella by Colombian Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez has stirred controversy due to the author's wishes to have it destroyed. Despite his declining health and opposition to its release, the novella 'Until August' has been published by his sons. The decision raises questions about respecting an author's wishes regarding unpublished works and the balance between honoring their legacy and commercial interests.
Melting ski slopes, floods and droughts are enraging the continent’s citizens, but not quite enough for them to consider voting differently. Our correspondent explains what the electorate is weighing up. The world’s largest maker of glasses is branching out into tech (10:41). And Gabriel García Márquez’s new novella that he did not want published (16:32).
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