Drivers In For A Shock
Roger Adair on Irish drivers in denial, the collapse of complex societies and addressing an imagination deficit of viable Peak Oil strategies.
Transportation
Big Plans, Bad Ideas
Two big-state governors have hit the headlines last week with grand plans for the future. In California, Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a massive infrastructure construction program, while in New York, George Pataki has called for a renewable energy program. Both plans were developed by comparatively moderate Republican governors with an eye to the challenges of tomorrow. Unfortunately for the residents of these states, both wind up missing the larger point.
The Future of Sprawl: Interview with Dr. Richard Harris
Professor Richard Harris talks to Trevor Shaw about the logic of suburbia and the future of sprawl.
The Myth of the Hydrogen Economy
There is a lot of talk about the hydrogen economy. It is at best naïve, and at worst it is dishonest. A hydrogen economy would be a pitiful, impoverished thing indeed.
Safety fears for fleet of new LNG tankers after leaks are found
A fleet of new ships built for BG and other companies to meet Britain’s growing energy needs by bringing in liquefied natural gas (LNG) from abroad has been hit by leaks and safety scares.
Energy: The End of Cheap Oil
Long article in urban planning journal that takes depletion seriously and suggests new priorities for the sector.
Swedish government embraces peak oil and looks towards biofuels
The Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson, has founded a non-political committee with the intent of making Sweden fossil fuel independent by 2020.
S.African fuel crisis: Oil companies could owe motorists R60m
In the wake of the continuing fuel shortage in South Africa, Minister of Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks has called for fuel companies operating in South Africa to reimburse motorists for the payments they receive for storing extra stocks of petrol and diesel, meaning the industry could face a collective payment of about R60-million.
The US Auto Industry Crisis
In the era of cheap and abundant oil GM and Ford dominated the top industries in both the US and the world. There are various reasons why these two companies are now in crisis, but here I will focus on how difficult it will be for them to recover.
Solutions & sustainability – Dec 8
Whistler 2020 (fully-sustainable, low-footprint) /
Bike industry, advocates unite, and Congress starts to notice /
How to live off the land (local produce) /
Gardener on the Roof /
Modes de transport (human-powered) /
Folke Günthe talks about re-ruralisation /
Red Pepper: the clean green route to power
Congressman backs post-oil planning: Thompson says Willits can set national example
“We can’t keep going the way we’ve been going,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. “That’s a no brainer.” Speaking during Mondays meeting with local officials and members of the Willits Economic LocaLization (WELL) group, Thompson was referring to an economy based on insatiable consumption of fossil fuels.
Former CIA director testifies before Senate on oil and foreign policy
There are at least seven major reasons why dependence on petroleum and its products for the lion’s share of the world’s transportation fuel creates special dangers in our time.
