Tony Blair yesterday warned world leaders they had less than seven years to save the climate, but then ruled out a special tax on the most polluting travel of all – flying. “It is unrealistic to think that you will get some restriction on air travel at an international level”, said Blair. So we can … Read More
Author: Andy Rowell
A good old pension – pity about the climate
Yesterday saw BP join Shell and Exxon in reporting record profits of $19.3bn (ÂŁ11bn). What the three company results highlight is the fundamental flaw of how they are valued by city investors. As both Shell and BP posted record profits their share price actually went down as the profits were not as large as some … Read More
Old School Profits – More on Exxon Mobil’s fat profits
The news that ExxonMobil has just posted the highest profits in history should bring down to earth those congenital optimists who, for the last 20 years or so, have been claiming that the best way to do well is to do good. ExxonMobil got their record-breaking billions the old fashioned way: through high oil prices.
Exxon Mobil Makes Biggest Profit in Corporate History
Oil giant Exxon Mobil yesterday reported the biggest profit in corporate history- some $36.1bn (ÂŁ20bn) after tax for 2005. The profit was on the back of soaring oil prices. The company’s turnover – some $371bn – would make it the 17th biggest economy, just behind Russia but ahead of Taiwan or Sweden. The obscene profit … Read More
UK Climate Change Strategy “Paralysed”
More on that story of Britain’s stagnated climate change strategy. The Guardian reports how the strategy has “been paralysed for seven months by a dispute between two Whitehall departments.” So yesterday we find out that Blair says climate change is worse than previously thought – the greatest threat facing humanity. Today we read about the … Read More
Even Blair Says We are in Trouble Because of Climate Change
Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that climate change could be much more serious than previously thought in a new government report on global warming published today. The report is a major update to a scientific conference held in Exeter last year by the British government on the subject.
Meanwhile Shell’s vision is ….. “green fossil fuels”
Whilst everyone else gets excited about the potential for renewable energy, the Chief Executive of Shell, Jeroen Van Der Veer shows a remarkable lack of foresight or imagination. Writing in the Financial Times this week, Van Der Veer outlined his “vision for meeting energy needs beyond oil”.
Two continents: Same message: The solutions are there.
Let’s move on from the last blog about the political will being needed to make technological change. Two reports on two different continents show how we could reduce our oil dependency now, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions given political will and economic investment.
America Must Reduce its Oil Dependence Says Ex-CIA Director
Writing in Monday’s Financial Times, James Woolsey, the head of the CIA from 1993 to 1995 and Robert McFarlane, who was Ronald Reagan’s national security adviser, argued that “America must end its dependence on oil”.
Gaia Scientist Says we are Doomed as BP Says it is “Time To Listen”
Today’s Independent newspaper carries an indepth interview with celebrated scientist, James Lovelock who invented the “Gaia” theory thirty years ago. His new book, called the The Revenge of Gaia is published next month. In it Lovelock argues that climate change has already past the point of no return and that billions of people will die … Read More