So the spiral of violence in Nigeria continues. Although six hostages being held by militant youths in the Delta region of Nigeria have been released, a further three are still being held.
extreme energy
Climate Chaos and Water Wars
On the day that Tony Blair hosts a crisis Downing Street summit to address what he calls “the major long-term threat facing our planet”, there is more bad news for the climate. The Guardian reports how “the Earth’s temperature could rise under the impact of global warming to levels far higher than previously predicted, according … Read More
Syriana Comes to Town
The George Clooney movie, Syriana opens in cinemas across Europe this week. Some oil campaigners believe that any film that tries to portray the deep-rooted web of connections between oil companies and politicians is a worthwhile exercise. Others think that it is conspiratorial nonsense. So what did the Financial Times energy correspondent, Carola Hoyos think … Read More
World Glaciers in Crisis
More grim news from the American Advancement of Science annual meeting. According to scientists, the world’s glaciers are in crisis, from Greeenland, Patagonia, Tibet to Africa and Antarctica. They are all melting rapidly. The amount of ice the Greenland ice sheet is loosing has doubled over the last five years. “Fifteen years ago, we thought … Read More
Another Landmark Judgement Against Shell – Will it Ever Learn?
Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta have suffered yet another significant legal setback. The oil company has been ordered by a Nigerian Court to pay $1.5 billion in damages to communities in Ijaw in Baylesa State for polluting their creeks and despoiling their crops. The court decision is seen as a significant setback for Shell, … Read More
Over the Top in Northern Vermont
It’s winter in Vermont, although it’s 40 degrees in Burlington, there’s no snow on the ground and my neighbor, Tom, is moping about the house. He has a new collapsible ice shanty, auger and tip-ups sitting in his basement unused, because the ice on Lake Champlain (what there is of it) is not thick enough … Read More
“Open Skies” Policy will Wreck Climate
Britain and other EU countries worrried about climate change could lose thier ability to impose taxes or restrictions on airlines under a draft treaty between the EU and US which actually curtails the power of national governments. The treaty which is known as the “Open Skies” agreement, is meant to liberalise aviation. But it includes … Read More
A “1000 Year” Lethal Legacy
New shocking research on climate change has been published. The alarming research is not from a pressure group but published by Britain’s Environment Agency, and written by scientists from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change. The study, the first of its kind to examine climate change impacts beyond the end of this century, concluded that … Read More
Kyoto Response Been “A Failure”
More on Kyoto: The environment group, Friends of the Earth has said that Governments who signed up to the Protocol are failing to take the necessary action to ensure that emission targets are met. According to FoE, emissions data from countries who signed up to Kyoto reveal that many are still failing to bring carbon … Read More
Tell Shell to Stop Gas Flaring
For nearly fifty years Shell has been flaring gas in the Niger Delta in vast quantities. The practice is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions, and a major source of air, noise and light pollution for the people of the Niger Delta. It causes huge resentment amongst the communities who bear the brunt of … Read More