This is a cross-post from Transition Voice. Written by Erik Curren Can the president who killed Osama bin Laden now stand up to Big Oil? Encouraged by comments made by House Speaker John Boehner that subsidies for oil and gas companies should be on the table, Democrats led by Montana Sen. Max Baucus last week … Read More
End Oil Aid
Independent oil & gas producers don’t need subsidies any more than big oil does
The Independent Petroleum Producers Association is currently in overdrive parading a commissioned study that makes a number of claims about its member’s value to the economy. According to the study, independent oil and gas producers drill most of the wells in the country, create millions of jobs and pay billions in taxes and royalties. Furthermore, … Read More
Join the International Call: World Bank, Free Us from Fossil Fuels
It’s time to shift international energy investments to support energy services that are clean, reliable, and sustainable, and honestly provide energy access for the poorest. You can help. The World Bank – an influential development bank that runs on taxpayer money – is currently updating its Energy Strategy that will guide its investments for the … Read More
FT: Ending subsidies is “An idea whose time has come”
I don’t know how many G20 leaders will have time to read the FT website today, but they should. The paper’s editorial is nothing short of staggering. It starts by stating “As addictions go, the world’s addiction to fossil fuels is a killer.” Coming from the mouthpiece of one of the world’s financial capitals, which … Read More
Money for Nothing, and your Climate for Free
According to a leaked letter, the Obama Administration is set to propose ending fossil fuel subsidies next week at the Pittsburgh G20. The letter, authored by Michael Froman who is an Obama advisor on international economic affairs, calls on the G20 to eliminate all fossil fuel and electricity subsidies, as a “logical step in combating … Read More
World Bank’s “Slightly Cleaner Technology Fund”
At a briefing today on the Stategic Framework on Climate Change and Development, a World Bank official conceded that the proposed “Clean Technology Fund” might better be called the “Slightly Cleaner Technology Fund,” but said she would not go so far as to call it the “Dirty Technology Fund.” Addressing Members of the UN Permanent … Read More
OECD: Remove Subisidies to Fossil Fuels Now
Tackling climate change and other environmental hazards is affordable but urgent action is needed to avert irreversible damage, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said yesterday. The 30-nation OECD said possible environmental safeguards might slow world growth by just 0.03 percent a year — meaning that by 2030 the global economy would be … Read More
Lake Mead Could Dry Up Within Years
Another day and another disaster looms over climate. Lake Mead, the vast reservoir for the Colorado River water that sustains the fast-growing cities of Phoenix and Las Vegas, could lose water faster than previously thought and run dry within 13 years, according to a new study by scientists The lake, located in Nevada and Arizona, … Read More
Aiding Oil, Harming the Climate
Bali, Indonesia – Oil Change International today released a new database and report that reveals over $61.3 billion in international public financing has benefited the oil and gas industry since 2000. Just last week, the European Parliament overwhelmingly passed language calling for an end to fossil fuel financing by the European Investment Bank and Export … Read More
EP Passes End Oil Aid Resolution
There has been a great victory for the global End Oil Aid Coalition. With a resounding majority (540 MEPs in favour), the European Parliament yesterday passed a resolution on trade and climate change which calls for “the discontinuation of public support, via export credit agencies and public investment banks, for fossil fuel projects”.