Oil

Japan’s peak oil dry run

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For large parts of eastern Japan that were not directly hit by the tsunami on 11 March 2011, including the nation’s capital, the current state of affairs feels very much like a dry-run for peak oil. This is not to belittle the tragic loss of life and the dire situation facing many survivors left without homes and livelihoods. Rather, the aim here is to reflect upon the post-disaster events and compare them with those normally associated with the worst-case scenarios for peak oil.

ODAC newsletter – Apr 1

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The oil price firmed to around $117 this week as evidence emerged of the impact of the Libyan crisis on the oil supply. Bloomberg reported that OPEC oil output dropped in March as Saudi Arabia failed to make up the loss in production from Libya. Reuters reported that Saudi has unexpectedly called on oil companies to expand its drill count by 30%. It is not clear whether this is in an attempt to add further spare capacity, or whether the kingdom is struggling to raise production.

What President Obama should have said regarding energy policy

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“I am afraid we have not been entirely open and honest about the situation in the past, but I want to make a change, and talk about the real energy situation, and start making plans for a lower-energy world. In the not too distant future–probably within the next 20 to 50 years, but perhaps as soon as the next 10 years, we will need to go back to using just the energy resources that we receive each day to sustain this world. This will require a very different type of society than we have today.”

The Libya conundrum – April 1

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– Immanuel Wallerstein: The Great Libyan Distraction
– Chomsky: On Libya and the Unfolding Crises
– Obama’s Libya Speech and the Tasks of Anti-Imperialists
– Libya is another case of selective vigilantism by the west
– Hugs From Libyans
– The shape of Libya’s ‘better future’ remains elusive
– Juan Cole: An Open Letter to the Left on Libya
– After unscripted Arab drama, the west sneaks back on set
– Intervention in Libya: Is It Really the Only Option?

The peak oil crisis: Edging towards recession

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As oil prices edge ever higher, more people are expressing concern about what this phenomenon is doing or could do to economic recovery. The conventional wisdom used to be that, in the U.S., whenever total national spending on oil products exceeded four percent of GDP the country went into recession. So where do we stand in in the early spring of 2011?

Latest ‘Zeitgeist’ film mixes sound critique and goofy futurism

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‘Zeitgeist: Moving Forward,’ makes a strong critique of party politics, market economics and overshoot. The film even explores peak oil. But its solution is an unconvincing techno-utopian fantasy straight out of science fiction complete with pod-cities of the future. Why would such a schizophrenic film boast so many rabid fans?

 

The Carbon-free Home: 36 remodeling projects to help kick the fossil-fuel habit

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You probably know that energy used in your home produces more global-warming pollution than your car, but what can you do to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels? Maybe you daydream of starting from scratch, building a new, super-efficient, passive-solar, off-grid house—but in reality you’ve got a roof (and a mortgage) over your head already. How can you turn your existing house into an environmental asset? One that simultaneously saves you money on utilities and insulates you from the possible shocks of Peak Oil?