Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
Pursuing a low-carbon economy is not about denying ourselves opportunities for growth, it is about opening up new opportunities, including new ways of measuring progress and raising public funds. The world will have to go green in the future. [speech by the leader of the UK Liberal Democat party]
So am I “worshipping big government?” No, I am writing about issues of national survival, and by implication, issues of personal survival. Without an aggressive process of planning, policy, and strategy-making in the field of energy, the United States is in all likelihood destined to decline into what President Reagan once called, in another context, “the dustbin of history.”
The leaders of both political parties are not only headed in the wrong direction with respect to gas prices, but also fundamentally misunderstand the factors behind the current situation at gasoline stations around the US. Governments should be focused on helping us cure our “addiction to oil.” The answer does not lie in lowering gas prices, which will only encourage people to drive more and further waste our valuable resources.
Gas prices: we’re to blame /
A socialist response to the massive rise in fuel prices /
Scientific American blog: An overdose of pessimism /
It ain’t just the oil you use, it’s the way that you use it /
WSJ Iran article supports theory of declining net export capability
When in the course of modern events it becomes necessary for one people to assume greater control of their energy needs through indigenous sources provided by the Creator, a decent respect for humanity impels them to explain the rationale for their decision.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all sources of energy are not created equal, that some are endowed with indisputable flaws, most especially fossil fuels.
McKibben talk on PO, global warming, strategies /
Small is still beautiful /
A greener way to cut the grass runs afoul of a powerful lobby /
Extending the garden (developing world) /
Green.tv in the pink after promising launch
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and consultant Robert Hirsch spoke at a Pentagon-sponsored presentation, “Energy: a Conversation about Our National Addiction” April 24. Bartlett’s message is logical and moral: Don’t try to fulfill rising demand to cope with peak oil via supply solutions because this would mean “more greenhouse gases” and increasing our future vulnerability to a greater supply crunch. Hirsch’s “most optimistic case is an assumed crash program” when people can agree the crisis is finally here.
Edible forests /
Environmentalism can help economy /
On Earth Day (beyond small solutions) /
Deep-fried America (hope on global warming)
Alternative hedonism might just lead us to fulfilment /
Here comes the sun – links /
Bill McKibben: The hope of the web
UK scientists attack oil firms’ role in huge Arctic project /
Global warming sparks a scramble for black gold under retreating ice /
While Washington slept (why we’re late on climate change) /
California tackles greenhouse emissions
Energy policy in America has suffered from big ideas. A step in the right direction is rejected because it is not a leap; the dream is for all problems to be solved at once or not at all.
Before the oil age comes to a complete close, let’s hope someone rehabilitates Jimmy Carter as one of the most prescient Presidents ever to hold the office. Congress might even rename an airport for him — just before it is shut down forever.
