Climate & environment – May 4
An Affordable Salvation
Climate crunch: A burden beyond bearing
A new reality check on the the global carbon emissions budget
Staff
Aviation fuel and future oil production scenarios – “Peak Aviation”
The industry has put ambitious goals on increases in fuel efficiency for the aviation fleet. Traffic is predicted to grow by 5% per year to 2026, fuel demand by about 3% per year. At the same time aviation fuel production is predicted to decrease by several percent each year after the crude oil production peak is reached resulting in a substantial shortage of jet fuel by 2026. The aviation industry will have a hard time replacing this with fuel from other sources, even if air traffic remains at current levels.
China – what’s going on? – May 4
Is China really going green?
China urged to flex muscles on world struck by recession
China Set to Lead in “New Energy” Car Production
Taking control of development at the local level
In traditional communities, blocks were short and navigable, retail and services in compatible and attractive corner stores within easy walking distance, and other destinations like schools and libraries easily walkable as well. Critics suggest that this model is outdated and no longer desired. Yet research suggests that most people when offered the option will choose the new urbanist model.
United States & Canada – May 3
Weak economy prompts Canadians to change way of life
Fred Astaire in the White House
U.S. lawmakers discuss more government power over grid
EB contributor John Gear runs for transit board in Salem, Oregon
Food & agriculture – May 3
Report: “Evaluating the Performance of Genetically Engineered Crops” (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Biochar good news, bad news
Brazil slave labor complaints rise (sugarcane ethanol)
Egypt orders slaughter of all pigs over swine flu
Renewables & efficiency – May 3
Bringing efficiency to the infrastructure
Military embraces green energy
A potential breakthrough in harnessing the sun’s energy
The cost of wind, the price of wind, the value of wind
Solutions & sustainability – May 3
Nature’s success (despite us) inspires green-building mimics
New Post Carbon fellows: McKibben, Farley, Karlenzig, Martenson
Redbook: What does living ‘green’ look like?
Addicted to the daily grind (and the virtue of sloth)
Health – May 3
The ethics of environmentally responsible health care
The Oil Drum ponders H1N1 CLZ5 NGZ2 (swine flu)
Global health expert Laurie Garrett discusses swine flu
Why can’t we concentrate?
Geopolitics – May 3
While we moan, the Chinese get on with it
China tightens grip on rare earths
‘Failing state’ Yemen may send terror to Gulf as economy fades
Energy industry – May 3
Exxon has biggest profit drop in 5 years as oil falls
Royal Dutch Shell’s profits fall 58pc on oil price slide
Could energy innovation create a ‘green bubble’?
Peak oil and mass communication
The most important task of the entity charged with coordinating and executing any mass communication strategy will be to boil down the peak oil message into a few slogans and visual illustrations. That won’t be easy. And, once that’s done, having the discipline to repeat those slogans and spread those illustrations often and everywhere will be even harder. But with what’s at stake, the peak oil movement must find that discipline or continue to limp along on the edges of the mainstream media and public consciousness.
