Fossil Fuels

New report suggests shale natural gas is worse for climate than coal

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A new study from Cornell suggests that the production of natural gas from shale using fracking techniques generates more greenhouse gases than burning coal. The report has generated coverage by New York Times, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, as well as a response from the NG industry. (Article extracts and links)
UPDATE: Link to the embargoed report

Local Future 2010 Conference on Sustainability first day video is now online

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Full talks from speakers including Dr. Joseph Tainter, Nicole Foss (Stoneleigh), David Korowicz, Stephanie Mills, Kurt Cobb and Aaron Wissner now available for all educational uses. The YouTube playlist includes the full first day of the Conference on Sustainability: Energy, Economy and Environment, including question and answer and panel discussions.

The Heirloom

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The Heirloom covers a lot of intellectual ground without leaving a small geographic area. In addition to casting a penetrating look at our present and potential future, it serves as a coming-of-age story for young Ben Naiche, who is torn between the rapidly vanishing techno-world and the rapidly vanishing remnants of his native heritage.

“But you’ve offered no solutions”: an illustration of Kuhn’s incommensurability thesis

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“You’re so pessimistic,” one student said. Another added, “There are alternative energy sources and electric cars that are coming along.” Yet another said, “Look, oil prices are high because of speculation –there’s really lots of oil left.” … Another, who had not spoken during the discussion, said, “I get what you’re saying; it’s pretty damned late to be thinking about this stuff if you’re right, isn’t it?”

Energy – April 11

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– Shell’s outgoing UK boss has seen oil firm’s role shift in a changing climate
– Edward Burtynsky’s Oil Exhibition Shines
– Energy and Security Issues in the Red Sea Transforming as the Age of Gas Begins in Earnest
– Fukushima Daiichi and Decision Time
– Fukushima Nuclear Disaster at One Month: The Explosion of Nukespeak

ODAC Newsletter – Apr 8

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The oil price hit a two and half year high this week of $123/barrel as the Libyan conflict continues to dominate market sentiment. This pushed the sterling value of crude to an all time high, exceeding even its level in the summer of 2008 when the dollar price reached $147/barrel, because the pound has slumped 17% against the greenback since then.

What is “our” oil doing in their economy? — Saudi oil consumption trends

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This article makes the case that the Saudi economy will consume ever increasing quantities of the oil they are currently exporting. The argument will be made that they could meet much of their power needs with either nuclear or solar power in order to continue earning oil export revenues. While enticing in theory, the real world of existing infrastructure, existing know-how, existing finance and existing technology will trump in the near term.

Dirty energy’s dirty deeds

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Let me repeat that: the U.S. imports more oil from Canada than (yes) Mexico, which ranks second, and (believe it or not) Saudi Arabia, which ranks only third. Tar sands are largely responsible for Canada’s new petro-status. Nearly a million barrels of tar sands oil arrive in the U.S. every day. By 2025, Canada is expected to be producing 3.5 million barrels of tar sands oil daily. Most of that, says Ryan Salmon of the National Wildlife Federation, will be imported to the U.S. And believe me, when it comes to energy ugly, tar sands could take the cake.