Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
We have become much more efficient in our use of oil since the 1970s, claim the analysts, and therefore higher oil prices will only have a modest upward impact on inflation. Although the statement is true, the concept masks a lot of dirty little problems.
Undoubtedly, the most important question to try to resolve in modelling future world oil production is the true size of Middle East reserves. It is obvious that the official reports of remaining reserves are grossly unreliable.
The British may waste more food than any other nation, throwing out 30-40% of all the produce they buy and grow each year, according to research. … modern food production methods may appear efficient, “but the reality is that large-scale manufacturing and rigid supply chains are creating very significant quantities of waste”.
Thackara is interested in more than analyzing efforts and predicting trends. He wants design to help create a better future. But many trends and opportunities to build what’s necessary for that future converge in the local.
Between them, the Christian and neocon right, the enviro-left, and the mullahs of the Middle East may finally achieve what a young Thatcherite once dreamt of. The geo-neocon-green movement may have arrived. Just in time.
The California Public Utilities Commission, charged with protecting California ratepayers and implementing a sensible state energy plan, is about to deliver ratepayers into the hands of oil companies wanting to hook the state into a dependency on expensive, imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) that comes at the end of a long supply chain over which Californians have no control.
For more than four years, President Bush has told us he needs to see the ”sound science” on global warming before joining the rest of the world in combating it.
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s only OPEC member, may become a net oil importer this year as projects led by ConocoPhillips, Unocal Corp. and PetroChina Co. fail to stem falling output, helping to boost fuel prices to records.
Robert Ebel of CSIS, Washington, talks to Global Public Media’s Julian Darley about the difficulties that Russian oil and gas production now faces. He also comments on US energy policy and the new Oilfields Megaprojects Report.
An interesting proposal for an ‘atmospheric vortex engine’, a variation on the solar chimney concept for channeling solar energy as wind to drive a generator.
Japan has begun allocating gas exploration rights in an area of the East China Sea also claimed by China.
Realism is the philosophical notion that what our scientific theories tell us about the world are more or less, or approximately true.
