The Oiloholics

The Economist has on its cover this week a not-so-flattering caricature of Uncle Sam and a [Chinese] dragon, both sipping down oil like there’s no tomorrow. The article is “The Oiloholics.”

Politics and Economics Headlines – 26 August, 2005

Damaged wells cut Ecuador oil pumping by half / Ecuador Government, Provincial Leaders Await Oil Companies Response / Chávez taunts US with oil-for-poor offer / Two fingers to America / Chávez seeks influence with oil diplomacy / Oil Fat Cats vs. Hugo Chavez / Nigerian plan brings threat of petrol price rise / Killing the dollar in Iran / Iran in the Crosshairs / GM, Ford Motor Debt Ratings Cut to Junk by Moody’s / Stagger on, weary Titan / Bankruptcies in U.S. surge to record high

Environment Headlines – 26 August, 2005

US states bypass Bush to tackle greenhouse / Panel Sees Growing Threat in Melting Arctic / U.S. judge OKs global warming suit on
Agencies’ financing overseas energy projects / Water, Water Everywhere… / Is extreme weather down to climate change? / No reversal seen in pace of Arctic melting / Needed: A Global Survival Movement / Study predicts world population growth / Climate
Model Links Higher Temperatures to Prehistoric Extinction

Other Energy Headlines – 26 August, 2005

A Question Of Shale / Canadians Gear Up for Protest against Natural Gas Projects in Maine / Underground Coal-Gasification, Coal-to-Liquids Project in Australia / New chips lower PC power use

Intelligence Brief: French Energy Policy

After explaining why the present oil crisis is destined to last, French Prime Minister de Villepin launched a new strategy of national energy independence and technological innovation. The policy has three pillars: 1) massive investment in energy policy, beginning with the oil sector 2) renewable energy (hydroelectricity and bio-fuels, together with nuclear power) 3) energy savings.