Thousands of blackened and oiled sea-birds have been recovered from the sea and coasts surrounding the stricken container ship, MSC Napoli, which is beached off the Devon coast in South West England. Some 200 tonnes of oil has formed a five-mile slick and local environmentalists are warning that the breeding population of the guillemot, which … Read More
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Industry Demands Mandatory CO2 Cap
Ten senior US business leaders, including the heads of utility and chemical companies, have issued a direct challenge to President George Bush demanding that he announce mandatory caps on carbon emissions. “We can and must take prompt action to establish a co-ordinated, economy-wide, market-driven approach to climate protection,” the chief executives, from companies including Alcoa, … Read More
Dozen Niger Delta Chiefs Assassinated
Reports in the Nigerian press suggest twelve chiefs from the Kula community in Rivers State were killed earlier this month, bringing the death-toll in the area to twenty five in oil-related violence. The Vanguard newspaper reports that the Kula Chiefs were embroiled over a controversy over oil revenues in the area. How to share the … Read More
U.S. Airlines Prepare for Battle Over Growing Emissions
When British Environment Minister Ian Pearson accused U.S. airlines of being “completely irresponsible” about climate change late last year, they are said to have responded with a shrug. So far climate change has been way down their list of worries. Staying financially afloat is far more important. But that’s changing fast.
Bush Expected to Stress Energy Security
A year after warning that America was addicted to oil, President Bush is expected to renew concerns about energy security in his State of the Union address tomorrow night. But despite his positive rhetoric, little has changed over the last year and little is expected to radically change during the next.
EU Carmakers Complain Over CO2 Targets
On Wednesday the EU Commission will vote on whether to impose tough new CO2 emission limits for new motor vehicles. In a predictable response, European carmakers are warning that jobs will be lost and their brands will “suffer” if strict targets are imposed.
Browne Wanted BP-Shell Merger
Lord Browne, who is leaving BP this Summer after a string of mishaps, drew up secret plans for a £220bn merger with Shell to create by far the world’s largest oil company. The merger was discussed informally and papers were produced by BP into the viability of the merger. Lord Browne would have stayed on … Read More
OECD Consumption Drops For First Time in Decades
Here’s one that few saw coming: According the International Energy Agency as reported by the Wall St. Journal (subscription), developed country consumption of oil dropped .6% in 2006. According to the Journal: “Though the decline appears small, it marks the first annual drop in more than 20 years among the OECD countries, which drain close … Read More
Surge in Carbon Levels Raises Fear of Runaway Warming
Every day the news about climate change seems to get more and more depressing and worrying. Take today’s news. According to a report in The Guardian, carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere much faster than scientists expected, raising fears that we may have less time to tackle climate change than previously thought.
Kremlin Targets BP
BP is coming under fresh pressure to relinquish control of one of its most valuable assets in Russia after Kremlin officials confirmed they would conduct an aggressive audit of its giant Kovykta natural gas field, run by TNK-BP. Inspectors allege that the field is under-exploited and that TNK-BP will fail to raise production to an … Read More