U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman has warned that high oil prices will wreck economies especially in the developing world. In remarks before the annual conference of the Middle East Institute, Secretary Bodman said worldwide demand for energy is expected to increase over 70 per cent over the next quarter-century, with devastating consequences. “It is … Read More
Month: November 2006
Will the New Congress Act on Climate?
Will a new Democratic Congress mean a sea-change in environmental and climate change policy? That is the question being asked by many people who voted out the Republicans. Whatever the short-term euphoria, it remains far from certain what will happen over the next two years and some of the initial signs are not good. Let’s … Read More
Stop Pombo’s Final Act of Folly for Big Oil
The New York Times today takes issue with President Bush’s call to pass “bipartisan energy legislation” before this Congress finishes – saying that instead the “House and Senate should limit their work in this final session to as few measures as possible”. The energy bill Bush has in mind, says the Times, is in fact … Read More
“Living Memorial” Unveiled for Saro-Wiwa
Last Friday was the 11th Anniversary of Ken Saro-Wiwa’s execution. To mark the occasion, a “living memorial” to Ken was unveiled in London. Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists were murdered by the Nigerian junta in November 1995. Their only crime was to fight against the oil companies, namely Shell and ask for a greater … Read More
Pelosi Promises To End Oil Subsidies
Washington’s political landscape is changing fast. Rumsfeld has gone, just days after Bush said he would never sack him and now it looks like the Democrats have taken the Senate as well. Just days after being a Republican-hate figure, the new Speaker Nancy Pelosi is having lunch with President Bush. I am sure they will … Read More
Investment by Oil Industry “Inadequate” Says IEA
Further analysis of the IEA’s World Economic Outlook reveals that oil industry has barely increased its investment in oil and natural-gas production during the past five years after accounting for inflation.Data compiled by the IEA and reported in the Wall Street Journal, show that investment in the oil-and-gas industry was $340 billion in 2005, up … Read More
Will A New Political Dawn End US Addiction to Foreign Oil?
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
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