In Rotterdam, children climb over a playground, the structure of which consists of the hollow rotor blades of an old wind turbine. The children do gymnastics through them like mice in cheese. You could say it is a showcase project in terms of the circular economy. Saudi Arabia is planning something similar in the Persian Gulf, only with more oomph and adrenaline for adults. "The Rig" is the name of the project that aims to transform a discarded oil platform into a bombastic amusement park. This can be seen as an exciting change of use or as an imposition for sea creatures, who from now on also have to endure helicopters, jet skis and diving robots. But apart from personal taste, the draft - as a representative - raises a question that actually calls for common answers: What happens to the remains of our fossil infrastructure,when it has had its day?
Demolition doesn't always have to be.
If the pipeline through which natural gas flowed yesterday, tomorrow, technically adapted, transports hydrogen, that is cheap and resource-efficient.
Elsewhere, coal-fired power plants are being converted to environmentally friendly energy storage systems.
These are good concepts.
Nevertheless, not every creative “recycling” is worth cheering.
The UK has been debating for years whether Shell must completely dismantle its old oil rigs in the North Sea or leave part of it to the sea, including tons of a potentially toxic oil, water and sand mixture in the pillars.
The answer is clear: Anyone who has made good money on their systems for decades must also pay for them to be removed when the time demands it.
Even sparkling roller coasters cannot distract from this.