Jane Jacobs jars our memories
For all our technical advances, says the noted thinker, we’re forgetting a lot of crucial stuff.
Crawford Kilian
A little village in the sun
Here is a bright little village in Andhra Pradesh that is all solar and smoke-free — the first of its kind in the country.
Energy and Human Evolution
Life on Earth is driven by energy. Autotrophs take it from solar radiation and heterotrophs take it from autotrophs. Energy captured slowly by photosynthesis is stored up, and as denser reservoirs of energy have come into being over the course of Earth’s history, heterotrophs that could use more energy evolved to exploit them, Homo sapiens is such a heterotroph; indeed, the ability to use energy extrasomatically (outside the body) enables human beings to use far more energy than any other heterotroph that has ever evolved.
Louisiana’s oil infrastructure endangered
An impending crisis that could have a detrimental impact on the oil and gas infrastructure and fishing industry in the United States is leading scientists to investigate how to stop rapid deterioration and to start restoring marsh land in Louisiana’s southern coastal wetlands-which are losing a piece of land the size of a football field every 35 minutes.
Talk of oil decline moving into mainstream
Until about five months ago, Mel Hutto had never heard of “peak oil,” the belief that global oil production will decline and never return to the levels that have nourished American lifestyles.
Disasters waiting to happen
The tsunami may have been an act of nature, but further environmental catastrophes caused by humans will be much worse.
The elephant of all elephants – history & geology of Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar Field
Among the many prolific oil fields in the Middle East, the giant Ghawar field in Saudi Arabia stands out as the crown jewel.
Conoco deals ANWR drilling a blow
ConocoPhillips’ decision to bow out of a lobbying group focused on opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling means that two of the largest operators on Alaska’s North Slope are no longer actively advocating exploration in the refuge.
Peak Oil?
Long discussion of oil fundamentals, particularly the complexity & dynamics of markets, followed by superficial look at likelihood of production peak and potential of alternatives.
Saudi supply demanding attention
When OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia recently announced a production increase, there was scant mention the increase was mostly in the form of low quality crude rather than sweet.
Slow food: The lefties who believe in pleasure
You don’t have to be miserable to oppose globalisation and care about the environment. You can eat the tastiest food and drink the finest wine – as an essential part of your mission. William Skidelsky reports
Power From the Oceans
Wind energy industries are growing, and as we look for alternative power sources, the growth potential is through the roof. Two industry watchers take a look at generating energy from wind and wave action and the potential to alter the energy landscape.
