Who Really Needs a Silver Mercedes?

An evening with Dr. Colin Campbell and Graham Strouts, Schull, West Cork, Dec. 2005
“..One of the first things a community can do, then, is to educate itself about energy- try to achieve a basic level of energy literacy: how many of us have much idea about how much energy we actually use in the running of our homes?”

Politics and Economics – Dec 28

Global appetite to boost oil prices / Blair faces organised rebellion on nuclear issue / US Congress blamed for addiction / Watch the price of gas explode / Proposed Long Beach LNG port called “one of the worst possible sites imaginable” / North Slope oil decline leaves Alaskans somber / Heathrow experiences fuel shortages

The struggle against ourselves

We are faced with an impending shortage of the source of energy which is hardest to replace – liquid fossil fuels. And we are faced with the environmental consequences of the fossil fuel burning which has permitted us to be standing here now. The structure, the complexity, the diversity of our lives, everything we know, everything that we have taken for granted, that looked solid and non-negotiable, suddenly looks contingent.

State’s consultant says nation is primed for using Alaska gas

Interview with Doug Reynolds, University of Alaska professor and energy consultant to the state of Alaska.

“We see about 2007 as the peak date for North American natural gas production. One of the interesting things with natural gas, though, is that the technology is so good that reserves are being depleted much faster. This means the peak may hold out a little longer, maybe even until 2008, then it will be followed by an even sharper fall.”

Politics & economics – Dec 22

Iraqi Oil – the $250bn gift to Saudi Arabia and Russia /
Roger Ebert picks Syriana as #2 movie for 2005 /
The [environmental] price of oil /
Venezuela gives Exxon ultimatum /
Senate rejects Arctic drilling /
Calpine opts for Chapter 11 /
Analysis: Costly commodities spark global change /
Is there enough oil? Or is there just enough oil to keep the Bush regime going? /
Dubai: Oil prices ‘may hit new heights’ /
Churches pray for heating bill salvation

Environment – Dec 22

A risk of total collapse /
Melting of permafrost threatens homes and roads, scientists warn /
Gas emissions reached high in U.S. in ’04 /
Bill McKibben: Montreal climate summit was too painful to watch /
Eco-tours in Kentucky /

Peak oil – Dec 22

La Crosse newspaper starts series on Peak Oil /
WSJ: Five who laid groundwork for spike in oil market /
The unintended consequences of oil and taxation /
Peak Oil on BBC Newsnight

Environment – Dec 21

Industry’s Fuel Efficiency Gets Worse as Ocean Stocks Get Thinner / In Exurbs, Life Framed by Hours Spent in the Car / Body of Evidence: Contaminated Californians / Climate Change Expert’s New Book on Oil Depletion / Gas Drilling Raises Dust Clouds Throughout the West / Why America finally woke up to climate change threat / Can’t resist urge to shop? Blame it on brain chemistry

Peak oil’s Richard Pryor problem

Comedian Richard Pryor, who passed away last week, was famous for saying, “Who you gonna believe? Me or your lying eyes?” In a way, those who believe that a peak in world oil production is not far away (or possibly already here) are asking the American public the same question.

Peak Oil and Gas – Dec 21

Petrodollar Warfare: Oil, Iraw and the Future of the Dollar / World Watch: The Peaks and Valleys Of Oil Dependence / What’s wrong with the EIA Forecast / UK: Peak Oil and Aviation White Paper Disaster / North Slope oil decline leaves Alaskans somber / North Sea gas drying up faster than hoped / US: A winter fuel crisis could darken homes and factories / Italy: possible electricity blackouts due to gas shortage / UK: Gas-guzzling firms ask for cut-off compensation