Week 12
Shell focuses on biofuels, dumps other renewables
Shell dumps wind, solar and hydro power in favour of biofuels because they are not economic. The company predicts a fuel mix of 80% fossil fuels / 20% renewables by 2025 but only invests 1% of its budget in alternative technologies. On the other hand, it is focusing on its core business of providing fuels for combustion. Oil companies and electric utilities are operating in two very different markets.
-- 18 Mar 2009 - Permalink
Week 10
Conflicting views on biofuels
While George Monbiot argues that biofuels do far more harm than good, US ethanol producers urge Obama to up ethanol content of motor fuels and Japan Airlines trial[s] biofuels on 747 flights.
-- 06 Mar 2009 - Permalink
Week 09
Biggest solar deal ever?
Almost a little late: Wired.com's blog features an article about the biggest solar deal ever announced.
-- 27 Feb 2009 - Permalink
Week 04
John Holdren on Global Climatic Disruption
An interesting lecture by John Holdren again picked up on Oreilly's Radar.
-- 20 Jan 2009 - Permalink
Week 51
Hans Rosling: Debunking third-world myths
TED published a speech by Hans Rosling. Statistics presented in an entertaining and gripping way. The world has outgrown the Tin-Tin era. The gap between the developed and the developing world has narrowed. A reality check.
-- 19 Dec 2008 - Permalink
Bjorn Lomborg on priorities and climate change
Reason published a presentation by Bjorn Lomborg on getting our priorities right at a time when huge sums are mobilized to combat the effects of climate change.
-- 19 Dec 2008 - Permalink
Michael Pollan on food, energy, climate and health
Oreilly Radar published an interview with Michael Pollan. Cheap food is not so cheap after all. A fifth of US oil consumption goes into its food machinery, the associated carbon footprint is huge and there may be a lot of low-hanging fruit. The good news: Obama may be listening.
-- 19 Dec 2008 - Permalink
IEA’s chief economist grilled over World Energy Outlook 2008
The Guardian released an interesting article and video interview with the chief economist of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol. For the first time, the IEA talks about a time when oil production may peak, sometime before 2030, if all goes well. If this wasn't enough, Birol is calling for a "global energy revolution".
-- 19 Dec 2008 - Permalink