A large petroleum gas (LPG) carrier is ablaze in the Danube River near Izmail,Ukraine,following an attack Friday,November 17,2023. Ukrainian officials report the vessel was struck by Russian missiles, igniting a fire and halting river traffic.
The incident underscores the escalating risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea region amid the ongoing conflict. While no casualties have been immediately reported, the fire poses a significant environmental threat and disrupts vital supply routes for grain and other commodities. The attack on Izmail, a key Ukrainian port on the Danube, is part of a pattern of intensified Russian strikes targeting infrastructure critical to Ukraine’s exports, aiming to choke off its economy.
according to Ukrainian sources, Russia launched drones and missiles at Izmail and Reni overnight. The LPG tanker, identified as the GARD, was hit during the assault. Videos circulating online confirm a large fire engulfing the ship.
Despite significant investment in renewable energy sources, China remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. The International Energy agency reports that one in every four tonnes of coal burned globally is used in China for electricity generation. While China leads the world in wind power generation and growth, accounting for approximately 44% of global wind farm capacity, wind power only contributed around 9.5% of China’s total electricity generation in 2023. Research scholar Biqing Zhu of the International Institute for Applied systems Analysis notes, “China is the country with the highest wind power generation and highest growth rate of wind power generation in recent years.” The IEA also states that China was responsible for two-thirds of global wind power capacity additions in 2023.
Separately,former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized wind turbine construction, describing them as “ugly” and detrimental to landscapes.
