All Environment
Will Obama's new climate policy lead to a greener future?President Obama is expected to roll out a major climate policy that may include EU-style benchmarks for renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Can Obama make progress on clean energy in his second term?
To frack or not to frack? Well, it's complicated.Fracking and shale gas are often聽portrayed聽as black or white issues, Grealy writes, when in reality there is a need for shades of gray. And the urgency of the climate change issue means that, with natural gas from shale, we have to make a choice between the perfect and the good.
The consequences of 'extreme energy'Proponents of fracking, the Keystone XL pipeline, and deep-offshore production all say that these are just other forms of 'oil' and 'clean-burning natural gas,' without explaining that these forms of 'extreme energy' have significantly worse impacts on the environment, Michael Klare, a professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, says in an interview with OilPrice.com.
Why squirrels are nuts about solar panelsSquirrels have taken a shine to gnawing through home solar panel wires, according to various reports. The good news is there's a simple solution to prevent squirrels from feasting on your photovoltaic array.
FocusChina puts up a green wall to US trashUS recyclers are nervous about losing their largest market after China began enforcing new environmental laws this year.
Is the world consuming less oil?Some misleading news reports have mistakenly suggested that global oil consumption is in decline, Rapier writes.聽What is correct is that growth in oil consumption has slowed. That's an important distinction.
Fighting climate change with nuclear energyNuclear power is currently the only carbon-free energy source that can provide base load electricity, Stepp writes, a characteristic crucial to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.聽Next-generation nuclear energy offers even more productive strategies for reducing carbon emissions.- Chile: LED light bulb heist highlights high cost of energyApproximately $100,000 worth of LED light bulbs were stolen in Santiago, Chile, where electricity can cost more than 10 percent of the median income.
G8 leaders tackle inequities of global oil, coal extractionG8 leaders aim to level the global resource playing field this week, discussing a consequential, if obscure, energy issue at the G8 summit. Are developing nations getting a fair share of their oil, coal, and mineral wealth?
BP ends cleanup of oil spill in Gulf of MexicoBP is wrapping up cleanup operations of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The move comes with permission from the US Coast Guard, which says BP no longer needs to send out regular patrols to clean the tar from the coastline.
Is Europe ready for a shale boom?The world has plenty of shale resources, a report showed last week. Europe can either access their own, or buy someone else鈥檚, but shale is the future either way, Grealy writes.
The kaleidoscope of fossil fuel abundanceIf the US shale experience is supposed to forecast the world, then the evidence so far suggests a boomlet followed by frantic efforts just to keep production level, Cobb writes. But in some cases, such as Poland, the results have been far worse as heavily touted prospects have turned out to be duds.
First-class ticket: more legroom, more emissionsFirst-class air passengers have a carbon footprint as much as seven times larger than the average passenger's, according to a new study from the World Bank.聽The study comes as airliners push the envelop of luxurious accommodations, while simultaneously aiming to 'green' their operations.聽
Drilling for (virtual) oil in industry's new online gameAn energy and shipping company has developed an online video game to help attract young people to jobs in the oil and gas industry. Players聽locate and drill into deep oil reserves situated in extreme environments, which vary from the cold, dangerous North Sea, to the blazing heat of the Qatari dessert.
Bear mauls man: Animal was 'goaded' into attackBear mauls man who offered it barbecue meat at a campground in Alaska. The man was treated for puncture wounds and scratches after being mauled by the bear. The animal isn't likely to threaten other people, officials said.- Bear mauls man: Animal was 'goaded' into attackBear mauls man who offered it barbecue meat at a campground in Alaska. The man was treated for puncture wounds and scratches after being mauled by the bear. The animal isn't likely to threaten other people, officials said.
Singapore haze hits seven-year highSingapore haze caused by illegal forest-clearing in Indonesia. Because of Singapore haze, officials urge residents to avoid prolonged activities outdoors.
Profits ahead for refiners, thanks to differentialsShare prices for US refiners have soared over the past year because they've leveraged a $20 per barrel differential between Bakken oil and Brent crude. This year refiners' profit potential looks solid, but the differential could narrow.
Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi ArabiaAs solar prices have fallen, and oil prices have risen, Saudi Arabia now has a strong economic incentive to push ahead with its long awaited solar plans, Peixe writes.聽Saudi Arabia鈥檚 desire to install vast amounts of generation capacity makes them a potentially important market, and they will be able to take advantage of this with Chinese manufacturers.
Court ruling: a boost for renewables or can of worms?Appeals court ruling will allow wind energy from the northern Plains to reach population centers in the Midwest. But the ruling may force states to rewrite their renewable portfolio standards, opening them up to attack. 聽聽
