Education

Is the Global Oil Tank Half-Full, Is It Half-Empty…or Are We Running on Fumes?

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In his article in the New York Times September 24, “Oil Industry Sets a Brisk Pace of New Discoveries”, staff reporter Jad Mouawad cites oil discoveries totaling ten billion barrels for the first half of 2009. The Tiber field in the Gulf of Mexico alone accounts for four to six billion barrels of crude that may eventually find its way into the world oil system. Indeed, this year has seen discovery results that could end up being the best since 2000. But, the article notes, the new oil was expensive to find, it will be expensive to extract, and both exploration and production are only possible because of high levels of investment and sophisticated, expensive new technologies.

Soil, Seeds, Salt: Education Brought Down to Earth

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Dandelion leaves flown thousands of miles north from Mexico now grace the organic section of our best local grocery stores…I find myself smiling at the latest proof of the power of our greening greenbacks. I am as well amused and saddened by the irony that the leaf generously and effortlessly yielded every hour for most months of the year by soil and worms in our own backyards must be carried north in airplanes guzzling barrels of oil and spewing millions of pounds of greenhouse gases.

Peak oil, prices and supplies – Sept 22

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-Not your average peak oil theory, from Macquarie
-Total issues oil shortage warning
-Would You Know How to Survive After the Oil Crash?
-Squeezing the last bit of oil from Mother Earth
-UK at risk of global energy shock, says MPC’s Andrew Sentance

Commentary: Mission Critical: Can Shale Gas Save the World?

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In late August the Vancouver Sun ran an article on the bullish prospects for Canadian shale gas. The piece began this way: “What energy crisis? Despite what you may be hearing about a global peak in oil production, waning reserves, and $100-plus oil prices, North America is suddenly awash in fossil fuel.”…

Climate & environment – Sept 16

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-The Royal Society’s Report on Geoengineering the Climate: Geoengineering or Geopiracy?
-Forget about 2050, we’re blowing the carbon budget now
-Red Snow Warning
-Scientists find CO2 link to Antarctic ice cap origin
-A triumph for man, a disaster for mankind
-Climate change will damage your health
-New York City Girds Itself for Heat and Rising Seas
-Staff in carbon footprint trial face ÂŁ100 fines for high emissions

Renewables & efficiency – Sept 16

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-State predicts bright future for jobs in solar energy
-German Geothermal Project Leads to Second Thoughts After the Earth Rumbles
-Trees could be the ultimate in green power
-Renewables Transition 3: The Precautionary Principle
-Hawaii Tries Green Tools in Remaking Power Grids
-Schwarzenegger orders more renewable energy — his way

The first peak oil recession: Interview with Steven Kopits

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Steven Kopits, who runs the New York office of Douglas Westwood, was in Denver last week. He talked about his latest paper on peak oil and the economy with Steve Andrews and will share related remarks at the ASPO-USA conference next month. Steve popped a few questions:…

Solutions & sustainability – Sept 10

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-Transition Towns project helps kick oil addiction
-Cuban Ambassador visits Cloughjordan
-In a small patch of land, hope reborn for Sudanese refugees
-Community Supported Agriculture thrives around Osceola, Wis.
-Celebrating the abundant growth of the farmers market
-Algae biofuel propels a braves’ new world
-Transition towns