Barrelperday

Showing typical zombie signs: far from well and alive, but not quite dead, and acting in an unpredictable way.

Due to the unconventional oil and (shale) gas boom in the US, gas flaring in North Dakota and Texas is visible from outer space. In fact, the amount of gas flared would be enough to simultaneously power the cities of Chicago and Washington… Although environmentalists’ concerns are growing increasingly vocal, the rise of shale gas […]

Introducing carbon taxes instead of the currently struggling European cap-and-trade (ETS) system would be a good idea. Let’s hope the Italians mean it, and that this enthusiasm will survive the upcoming elections.

The worse drought in the US in 50 years and sky-rocketing corn and food prices have called attention to the irrationality of biofuels again. But the truth is that ethanol and biodiesel have always been prohibitively expensive even without a drought, and not a good way to reduce CO2 emissions. Now would be (politically) the […]

No, it is not the EU emission trading system, or more of costly wind farm subsidies in troubled Europe. It is not a strict global climate deal, which has a close to zero chance. It is Chinese public anger and protests –not against CO2 emissions, but against local pollution, later on potentially against the whole […]

Unconventional gas impacts, emissions edition, in a single shocking graph. US energy related CO2-emissions are back to 1990 levels in 2012, thanks mainly to (unconventional) gas substituting for coal.

The Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid is coming. There is no good reason to buy it, even if you are a devoted Green. Buy a traditional car – and one for your neighbor too. Or insulate someone’s house.

It is good to clear up some things at the beginning, and people working for gas/oil/energy companies especially should come clean about their views regarding climate change. We think global warming is real, and uncertainty strengthens the case for action, not weaken it.