Davos is over, but the fallout is not. Even though the threats on Greenland were walked back to some extent, countries in the European Union and Canada, not to mention other emerging nations, have begun making trade deals with China. In spite of the fuming and fussing from the White House, China is racking up on the world’s concern that there is no stability in Washington.
The drastic cuts in scientific research at American universities is also taking its toll, and not just in terms of visas offered to foreign students. Universities in both the European Union and China are now offering all kinds of fellowships, research grants, and support for scientific research, and American students are starting to look for places to do science, not ideology.
China is making huge inroads in the Global South as well with its enormous investment in wind and solar, important energy sources in that part of the world while old coal plants are encouraged to reopen with reduced regulation, polluting our air and water. We are going backwards, not forwards and it will take many years to recover.
Prayer for the Day
Searching for answers, we come to you, O God;
Burdened by the cares we have, we turn to you, Spirit of hope,
For we long for the peace that only you can give.
Be with us, Holy One, as we struggle to live your Gospel,
And help us to share your peace with others.
In the name of the One who is always faithful,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
In 2024 China’s clean energy investment was more than USD 625 billion, almost doubling since 2015. China also achieved its 2030 wind and solar capacity target in 2024, six years ahead of schedule.
International Energy Agency
A recent call for a multimillion-euro program run by the EU’s top research council saw a fivefold increase in U.S.-based applicants seeking to relocate to European institutions to pursue their research ambitions. The fresh wave of interest from U.S.-based researchers for European research grant money comes amid an increasingly hostile climate for academic research under the Trump administration.
Politico (9/5/2025)
Wisdom cries out in the street; in the square she raises her voice,
At the busiest corner she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speak:
“how long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”
Proverbs 1: 20-22