Two contrasting views of Africa this week in the British press. On Wednesday The Financial Times published a “Special Report” on Africa’s oil and gas, giving it an upbeat assessment. Under the headline: “Continent all set to balance power” the paper reported how: “West Africa, with its copious reserves of natural gas, its sweet light … Read More
Oil
More Evidence of Antarctica Melting
A new study in the journal Science has found that the Antarctic ice sheet is melting so fast it is contributing to the rise in global sea levels. The first ever satellite study of the continent’s ice inventory has revealed that Antarctica is releasing around 35 cubic miles of water into the sea each year, … Read More
Carbon Trading not the Answer to Climate Change
I always thought the one problem with carbon markets or pollution credits is that they allow companies to carry on polluting. They don’t actually fix the problem. Now the UK policy group, the Cornerhouse has published a briefing attacking carbon trading. It was also published by the think think, Foreign Policy in Focus. According to … Read More
Nigeria – The Slippery Slope to Civil War
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.
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