Author: Kontrast.at

– Advertisement – Outwardly, car manufacturers celebrate electric mobility, but behind the scenes, they are fighting to keep the internal combustion engine alive for as long as possible. Together with the oil industry, they are investing millions in lobbying and PR, watering down climate regulations and sowing doubt about electric cars. As a result, aelectric […]

– Advertisement – Chile has the strictest mandatory labelling requirements for unhealthy foods in the world. Advertising aimed at children is also heavily restricted. Following the introduction of these measures, consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks fell significantly and products became healthier. Although obesity remains a major problem, Austria can learn from the Chilean approach. In the […]

– Advertisement – Many people consider others to be selfish. However, a new international study paints a different picture: worldwide, 69 per cent are willing to give up personal benefits for the common good. Would you be prepared to give up some of your own money to support the fight against climate change? Many people […]

– Advertisement – Colombia is facing a defining political choice. Right-wing populist presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella emerged as the frontrunner in the first round of voting. He promises more military force, closer ties with the United States, mega-prisons, and the expansion of oil, gas, and fracking projects. Critics, however, warn of setbacks for […]

– Advertisement – Critics dismissively speak of “luxury prisons” when they see images from Norwegian correctional facilities such as Bastøy: small, bright rooms, televisions, kitchens, workshops, gardens and prison officers who do not behave aggressively. But behind this system is not leniency. It is based on a sober question: What ultimately makes society safer? Almost […]

– Advertisement – France is making major streaming services pay up. Since the start of 2024, platforms such as Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music have been paying a streaming levy on their revenue. The country is using the proceeds to support its own music scene. The money goes directly towards productions, tours and smaller organisations […]

– Advertisement – Spain is regarded in Europe as a leading example in the protection of women against violence. The country combines specialised courts, the police, support services, prevention measures and electronic monitoring into a comprehensive system. At the same time, new forms of digital violence, such as deepfake pornography or the case of Collien […]

– Advertisement – Since 2022, Giorgia Meloni has led Italy’s most stable government in decades. Despite social cuts and authoritarian policies, the opposition has so far been unable to find a way to challenge Meloni’s right-wing coalition. Last year in Genoa, Italy’s sixth-largest city, former Olympic hammer thrower Silvia Salis demonstrated how an independent candidate, […]

– Advertisement – Globally, most energy still comes from climate-damaging fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal. At the same time, the share of renewable energy is growing, especially in the electricity sector. The EU and China are leading this expansion. Economist Nikolaus Kowall explains how far the energy transition has actually progressed and […]

– Advertisement – Good news from Ecuador: rainforests can recover faster than previously thought. A study by TU Darmstadt shows that biodiversity on abandoned agricultural land in Ecuador returned to more than 90 per cent of its original level within 30 years. However, researchers warn that this recovery only works if intact primary forests are […]