global warming politics
BUSINESS AS USUAL
For ten years, I have been pointing out that fossil fuels are not going to go away, and that coal, in particular, is about to experience a mighty resurgence. As three stories today underline, my predictions are already on the way to being fulfilled.
First, the New Scientist (November 7) reports on the massive switch to burning coal (inexorably, of course, in a 'global warming' context): 'Switch to coal threatens to worsen global warming':
"A massive switch to burning coal will make it harder to limit global warming in the coming 25 years, warns a major report on global energy trends from the International Energy Agency and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
In a 'business-as-usual' scenario, the report released on Wednesday predicts that coal demand will increase by 73% between 2005 and 2030, with 80% of the predicted increase in China and India. Already, these two countries account for 45% of all coal burnt, and demand is likely to rise as the relatively cleaner fossil fuels – oil and natural gas – become scarcer and more expensive."
I might add that there are hundreds of years worth of coal reserves in countries as varied as Canada, South Africa, Australia, China, and Russia. And, about that optimism over making it 'clean coal'? Who is going to pay for the 'clean coal' technologies? No, friends, coal, in all its industrial glory, will be with us - and more significantly than in the recent past - for years to come. It will be, largely, 'business-as-usual'.
Secondly, vast new oil reserves have just been announced for Brazil (see: 'Brazil discovers huge oil reserves' (News.com.au, November 9):
"If one of the deposits turns out to be as vast as it appears, Brazil will be in the same league 'as the Arab countries, Venezuela and others,' the senior minister in charge of the cabinet, Dilma Rousseff, said.
Petrobras, Brazil's national oil company, said in a statement that exploration of its Tupi field, offshore Sao Paulo state, revealed it could produce up to eight billion barrels of light oil and natural gas.
It said that find, along with another potential field still being explored farther south, could propel Brazil 'among the countries with the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world.'"
So much, then, for the imminent end of oil. Again, it will be 'business-as-usual' and for much longer than folk believe.
Now, without the climate gloomsters, we might all be cheering. Needless to say, they are still rabbiting on about finding "easy" (!) ways out, witness one of the chief grumps, Mark Lynas, writing in the New Statesman (November 8), for which he is the Environment Correspondent: 'How to stop climate change: the easy way':
"Despite this urgent timetable, our roads continue to heave with traffic. Power companies draft blueprints for new coal-fired plants. The skies over England are criss-crossed with vapour trails [As you will know, these are largely water vapour! Ed.] from aircraft travelling some of the busiest routes in the world. Global emissions, far from decreasing, remain on a steep upward curve of almost exponential growth.
Sure, there are some encouraging signs. Media coverage of climate change remains high, and a worldwide popular movement - now perhaps upwards of a million people - is mobilising. But with so little time left, we must recognise that most people won't do anything to save the planet unless we make it much, much easier for them."
Mark, the planet doesn't need saving (see: 'The Myth of "Saving The Planet"', October 16).
Moreover, guess what Mark's "easy way" involves?
"... this forms the first plank of my three-part strategy to tackle global warming. Stop debating, ..."
Surprise! Surprise! You just knew it. Not a chance, Mark, Old Bean!
Time, perhaps, to re-read my blogs for October 28 ('Twenty Twenty-Four'); October 31 ('The Politics Of Fear'); and, November 1 ('Neo-Fascism'). Recognise anything?
By the way, you can comment on Mark's piece at the end, here. I do hope you do.
Now, back to 'business-as-usual', namely dinner and a nice glass.
"Cheers! Have a great weekend, folks!"
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