Make Cars in Cities Oil-Free by 2025

December 12, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post 2 Comments

In January Germany takes over the Presidency of the G8 and EU. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made addressing climate change a high priority on Germany’s agenda for its EU and G8 presidencies that begin in January. Now two German energy experts are pushing a radical solution to climate change and rising oil demand: “simply … Read More

Sakhalin: Russia Seizes Control From Shell

December 12, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Further to yesterday’s blog, it has now been confirmed that Shell is being forced by the Russian government to hand over its controlling stake Sakhalin-2 after months of pressure by Moscow. The move will provoke fresh fears about the Kremlin’s willingness to use the country’s growing strength in natural resources as a political weapon.

Arctic: Summer Ice Gone by 2040

December 12, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

The Arctic could lose virtually all its summer sea ice by the year 2040 – 40 years earlier than previously thought – according to a study by leading climate scientists. A rapid acceleration in the loss of sea ice seen in recent years will be dwarfed by the massive melting, up to four times faster … Read More

Sakhalin: Russia Threatens Shell with “Unlimited Fines”

December 11, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Shell could be forced to renegotiate the terms of its involvement in the Sakhalin 2 project this week, when the Russian government publishes a damning report on the controversial $20bn (ÂŁ10.2bn) oil and gas venture. The Anglo-Dutch oil giant also faces hundreds of millions of dollars in fines. A spokesman for Sakhalin Energy, the Shell-led … Read More

Carbon “Credit Cards” for UK

December 11, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Every UK citizen could be issued with a carbon “credit card” under a carbon rationing scheme that could come into operation within five years, according to a government feasibility study. Cards would be used every time someone bought petrol, paid an energy utility bill or booked an airline ticket.

Republicans Open Up Gulf of Mexico

December 11, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

The Republican Congress may be on its last legs but it is still kicking. A plan to open more than 8 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling was included in a tax package that the House approved late last week. It means Big Oil’s proponents are one step away … Read More

Don’t Forget Recommendations 62 and 63

December 8, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

Great blog by Tom Hayden in the Huffington Post about the Iraq Study Group. Writes Hayden: “Recommendations 62 and 63 confirm that control of Iraqi oil is a fundamental premise of Administration policy. Recommendation 62 says the US government should help draft an oil law that “creates a fiscal and legal framework for investment.” It … Read More

Stern Quits Treasury After Brown Freezes Him Out

December 8, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Feeble Gordon, as he is now known, has fumbled again. UK Chancellor Gorodon Brown not only missed a trick by not acting on the most authoritative report on the economic impacts of climate change in his pre-budget report, but now he has lost the author of the report itself. With embarrassing timing, Sir Nicholas Stern’s … Read More

More Kidnaps in Nigeria

December 8, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Nigeria’s torrid troubles show no sign of abating with the news that gunmen attacked an Agip oil terminal, killing one person and taking four foreigners hostage. Italy’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that that three Italians and one Lebanese national were kidnapped.

Oxy Pulls Out of Peru

December 7, 2006By Andy RowellBlog Post

Environmental groups and indigenous leaders have claimed a dramatic victory after Occidental Petroleum Corp confirmed plans to withdraw from a controversial oil and gas venture in Peru. Occidental’s departure, which the company said is contingent on approval by the Peruvian government, follows extensive criticism by NGO’s. One of the company’s biggest critics, Atossa Soltani, executive … Read More