ODAC Newsletter – July 18
A digest of news and commentary from a UK peak oil perspective.
Fossil Fuels
The peak oil crisis: The blackouts spread
Of the 266 distinct nations or entities on the world today, nearly 100 are now reporting continuing energy shortages, mostly in the form of inadequate electricity supply, but in a growing number of cases, shortages of liquid fuels and natural gas.
Get ready for the last oil war
Despite the clear evidence of rising depletion limits on Iranian oil production, Western media continues presenting Iran as having the third or fourth-largest oil reserves in the world. This implies oil export ‘underperformance’, repeating media claim’s of Iraqi oil reserves versus its pumping ‘performance’ in the run-up to invasion in 2003.
As tensions escalate between Iran and the West, Andrew McKillop presents a view on the prospects for conflict.
Demand bifurcation point
The future of the global economy will, in my opinion, turn more on this question than any other: Will demand destruction hit India and China, or will their oil consumption continue to rise? The answer here will determine much of how peak oil plays out.
Peak oil is a done deal
I now believe that the hypothesis of a near or medium-term peak in the world’s oil supply is confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt. A shift in emphasis that speaks to reducing our demand for oil and examining alternatives to oil is now required. I will be taking that road in the future, leaving specific concerns about the oil supply behind.
Australia – July 16
Australia faces food crisis as rivers reach new low
A gas supply disruption case study – the Varanus Island explosion
Australia considers first new coal port in 25 years
United States & Canada – July 16
Xcel set to cut power to 47,000
Made in America energy policy
Hog heaven, part 1 – Increased offshore drilling does not substitute for national energy policy
Matt Simmons and the Five Psychological Stages of Grief
This is a wonderful clip. When Matt Simmons was recently asked to go on CNBC’s ‘Fast Money’ to discuss the high oil prices, he clearly stunned the presenters with his forthright analysis of society’s current perilous situation. When asked if $147 a barrel is a ‘wake up call’ he replied “yes, but we’re not having a wake up call, we’re having a witch hunt for who got us here”, a succinct analysis of the current world situation.
Rob Hopkins uses the reaction to the situation by the studio panel to illustrate the Five Psychological Stages of Grief that he believes people go through in coming to terms with this information.
Get Out of Credit Card Debt! Now!
We’re often told in the Peak Oil community “get out of debt,” and yet, as we continue to pay the minimum on the credit card each month, it appears to have little effect on the overall balance of the bill. Should we forget about getting out of debt and just start putting up supplies? Not unless you have a crystal ball that tells you when all US banks will fail, and that whatever entity takes them over will be unable to figure out how to collect your monthly payments.
Here are some concrete suggestions on how to break out of the cycle.
Prices & supplies – July 15
‘The best thing that could happen to the country is if no oil is found’
Côte d’Ivoire: City on Go-Slow as Residents Protest Sudden Fuel Price Rise
Japan’s fishermen: ‘We’re dying’
Transport – July 15
Rural airlines take flight
Personal Rapid Transit: preempting the need for oil in urban transport
Namibia: Multitudes switch to bicycles
Bike shelters to be built at 4 CTA train stations
Peak Oil Review — July 14th, 2008
An executive summary of weekly news from a US peak oil perspective, featuring:
– Production and Prices
– China
– Blackouts and Shortages
– Washington
– Energy Briefs
