Washington awakes to a new political dawn this morning with the Democrats taking control of the house for the first time. The Senate may yet fall to them too, but the race is currently too close to call. President Bush will awake with a headache – and stands to become a lame-duck for the remainder … Read More
Author: Andy Rowell
IEA Demands Urgent Action on Energy
The International Energy Agency has predicted that global carbon dioxide emissions would increase by a staggering 55 per cent between now and 2030, unless “urgent” action was taken by governments and consumers. That is the catastrophic scenario of continuing with “business as usual” depicted in its annual World Economic Outlook.
Energy Features in Mid-Terms
So its judgment day in the US mid-terms. Most pundits believe that the Democrats will makes gains but whether it will be enough to overturn the Republican majorities in both the House and Senate is anyone’s guess. It’s up to the voters now. There is no doubt that the Iraq war will be a major … Read More
India Expands Wind Market
India’s growing economy – and with it its increasing emissions of carbon dioxide – are often cited as one of the reasons why countries such as America refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol. The argument went like this: Why should America hurt its economy by reducing emissions, when China and India were free to grow … Read More
Biggest UK Oil Rig Project For A Generation Announced
25,000 people may have marched through London demanding urgent action on climate change and delegates are in Nairobi for the most crucial climate talks in recent years. But it is business as usual for the oil industry. The biggest drilling rig construction project undertaken in Britain for more than a generation has just been announced.
25,000 Demand Action on Climate in London As Report Predicts Chaos in Africa
Over 25,000 people rallied in London at the weekend, calling for urgent action on climate change ahead of today’s UN conference in Nairobi. Marchers from the Stop Climate Chaos coalition assembled in the centre of London, where the protests included a bike ride past the US embassy to Downing Street to hand in a petition … Read More
Russia Punishes Georgia with Huge Gas Price Hike
In a move that has echoes of a year ago, Russia has announced that it is to double the price of gas to its neighbour Georgia. The move is being seen as part of its increasingly bitter campaign of retribution against the country, which is already reeling from a string of punitive measures imposed by … Read More
Bush Administration Lets Chevron Off the Hook
The US Interior Department has dropped claims that Chevron systematically underpaid the government for natural gas produced in the Gulf of Mexico, a decision that could allow energy companies to avoid paying hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties, the New York Times has reported.
BP Slashed Budgets, Despite Safety Warnings
The scale of BP’s safety problems have been highlighted with the publication of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s (CSB) preliminary findings into the company’s Texas refinery fire that killed fifteen people. The Board found that top officials at BP allowed widespread budget cuts at the refinery even though they were well aware … Read More
US Remains Biggest Emitter of Carbon
Ok let’s get back to reality –as if to underline how great is the challenge on climate change the UN has just released figures showing that gas emissions by the industrialised world are still rising, with the United States firmly entrenched as the biggest polluter.