the intersection of emergency preparedness, public health and environmental policy
: “I am saddened that it is politically inconvenient to acknowledge what everyone knows: the Iraq war is largely about oil.”Cryptogon points out this piece in the Times which suggests that the Saudis are producing at exceptionally high capacity, trying to limit price increases. From Plan Would Lift Saudi Oil Output, from the June 14th times:
Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is planning to increase its output next month by about a half-million barrels a day, according to analysts and oil traders who have been briefed by Saudi officials.
The increase could bring Saudi output to a production level of 10 million barrels a day, which, if sustained, would be the kingdom’s highest ever. The move was seen as a sign that the Saudis are becoming increasingly nervous about both the political and economic effect of high oil prices. In recent weeks, soaring fuel costs have incited demonstrations and protests from Italy to Indonesia.
Saudi Arabia is currently pumping 9.45 million barrels a day, which is an increase of about 300,000 barrels from last month.
While they are reaping record profits, the Saudis are concerned that today’s record prices might eventually damp economic growth and lead to lower oil demand, as is already happening in the United States and other developed countries. The current prices are also making alternative fuels more viable, threatening the long-term prospects of the oil-based economy.
FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA: HYBRIDS
Following General Motors announcement of the Volt, Ford Motor Company has just announced two new hybrids for 2010: The Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Mercury Milan Hybird. They will get 39 to 47 mpg, better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid and can operate in battery only mode. The world is changing. (0)
ENERGY POLICY & PUBLIC HEALTH
There really is no such thing as “Clean Coal.” Mining coal destroys mountains, and often kills the miners. Burning coal releases tons of carbon into the atmosphere and the oceans, and even if you could sequester the carbon, burning coal releases other pollutants, including mercury into the biosphere. The mercury makes its way into fish. This is why people, especially children and pregnant women, should not eat a lot of tuna or swordfish. Wind, solar, geothermal, ocean current, and “negawatts,” on the other hand, really are clean energy. Offshore wind turbines don’t release pollution. On the contrary, they create artificial reefs, which enhance fish habitat. This is also good for fishermen, the economy, etc. (0)
TALK MAY BE CHEAP, BUT
when the markets are falling, prices are rising, and credit is tightening, it’s a uniquely affordable indulgence. - Walter Kirn, What’s a Depression, Daddy? New York Times Magazine, Nov 9, 2008 (0)
SIERRA CLUB KILLS KING COAL (mini)
The EPA has ruled ( full text PDF ) that new and proposed coal plants must address their carbon dioxide emissions - essentially killing off the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the foreseeable future. The EPA says “You may burn coal, but you must do it cleanly.” ( Sierra Club Press Release / Full Post ) (0)
FOCUSED SOLAR MELTING STEEL?
Coolstuff and MetaCafe have videos which show the power of a focused solar array melting steel. (Click here for CoolStuff - Here for MetaCafe) It’s basic college mechanics - and also pretty amazing. (0)
CONGRATULATIONS, BARACK OBAMA AND AMERICA!
President-Elect Obama’s campaign was focused, disciplined, and effective. He has shown himself to be bright, calm, and decisive. He listens, and he has good judgment. We at Popular Logistics wish him and the country well. And we know this: If President Obama governs the way President-Elect Obama campaigned, the country will do well. Very well. (0)
SMASHING APPS: PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Smashings Apps has collected a number of project management tools - most if not all free. For community groups - disaster response-related or other - there’s probably something useful for all but the most tech-savvy (or best-funded) groups.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=3c89f027-cb54-4171-a3cf-84b5d28fd18a)
ELECTRICITY: 100% CLEAN AND GREEN BY 2018
The Gore Energy Challenge - 100% clean, renewable, sustainable electricity in 10 years, can be described in 3 words. Reasonable, Achievable, Visionary. Here’s how:
40% Land Based Wind = 100 GW: $200 Billion.
40% Offshore Wind = 100 GW: $286 Billion.
20% Solar = 50 GW: $325 Billion.
100% Clean Energy = 250 GW: $811Billion.
Save the Earth, and the Economy - Priceless.
The Stone Age didn’t end because we ran out of stones. And the age of fossil fuels is ending not because we have run out of fossil fuel, but because we have figured out how better technologies. Biofuels, Geothermal, Marine Kinetic, Solar, Wind, and of course, Conservation. (0)
