Next week there is another crucial American election. OK – its not as important as the one ten days ago, but the outcome will have a huge bearing on Obama’s plans for energy, climate change, and how he tackles America’s ailing auto industry. The battle is for the Chairmanship of the powerful Energy and Commerce … Read More
Month: November 2008
As Obama says “Yes” to Action on Climate, Gore Says “No” to Obama
After eight disastrous years of President Bush, the bad news for Barack Obama is that his in-tray is over-flowing with problems. The good news on issues such as climate is that he does not have to do much to be seen as a real radical. Yesterday his energy advisor, Jason Grumet, noted what everyone already … Read More
Barack Beware of the “Friendly Barrels” of Oil Sands
As many part of the world celebrated an Obama victory last week, his resounding success would have caused deep concern to the Canadian oil sands industry and Canada’s Prime Minster, Stephen Harper. During the campaign, Obama condemned US reliance on “”dirty, dwindling and expensive oil,” and his campaign team singled out oil sands as a … Read More
13 Years On and Death Still Stalks the Niger Delta
If he was still alive, I wonder what Ken Saro-Wiwa would make of it all, if he could see his beloved Delta stuck in a vortex of violence that seemingly has no end. For a man who preached peace, he would undoubtedly despair at the continued kidnapping and bloodshed. Thirteen years after his death, there … Read More
Paradise Lost
Thirteen years ago today, the world watched in horror as a brutal military dictatorship executed Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists. Ken and the others were fighting against Shell for a greater share of the oil waealth that was being drilled from their land, but more importantly they were fighting for clean air, water … Read More
The $50 Billion Bail-Out
I wonder how Main-Street feels about this one. Even though millions of Americans are already outraged over bailing out Wall Street, they are now being asked to bail out Detroit too. Later this morning expect dismal third-quarter results from GM and Ford, estimated at $2 billion each, which will probably plunge the markets even deeper … Read More
7 of the “Dirty Dozen” Are Ousted Too…
In the tidal-wave of emotion and global reaction to Barack Obama’s historic win, it is easy to forget that it is not just the Presidency that was up for grabs in Tuesday’s election. There was great news elsewhere in the Congressional race, where at least seven of the League of Conservation Voters “Dirty Dozen” lawmakers … Read More
Dear President Elect …
Millions of people the world over will be inspired by your victory last night. After the deep divisive years of the Bush Administration the thought of change coming to America is not a day too soon. I know you are busy and won’t have time to read this, but I thought I would write anyway.. … Read More
How to Fry the Climate with a $13 Flight from London to NYC
To many environmentalists, Michael O’Leary is one of their top hate figures. One of the key proponents of low cost air-travel, the multi-millionaire Irishman has no time for environmentalists – he calls them “eco-nuts” and dismisses concerns over climate change. With his head firmly stuck in the sands of climate scepticism, he argues that the … Read More
“The air is foul, the water is being drained and poisoned”
So says Maude Barlow, the chairwoman of the Council of Canadians, who has just been appointed to advise the United Nations on water issues, after a recent flight over the oil sands. During the trip, she saw steam rising from the ground, no birds in the sky or animals on the ground. “We were devastated … Read More
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