China approved the construction of more than 100 million tonnes of new coal production capacity in 2013 – six times more than a year earlier and equal to 10 percent of U.S. annual usage – flying in the face of plans to tackle choking air pollution. The scale of the increase, which only includes major mines, reflects Beijing’s aim to put 860 million tonnes of new coal production capacity into operation over the five years to 2015, more than the entire annual output of India. --David Stanway,
Reuters, 7 January 2014
It’s been a black Christmas for green thinkers as Germany, the world leader in rooftop solar and pride of the renewable energy revolution has confirmed its rapid return to coal. The past week has seen a media focus on Europe’s building “coal frenzy”. It all adds up to the renewable energy industry’s worst nightmare. -- Graham Lloyd,
The Australian, 11 January 2014
Lifestyles changed radically following the OPEC oil crises of 1974 and 1979. Those days of paying homage to deprivation climaxed last decade with Earth Hour and the passage of light bulb-banning legislation, all amid fears over climate change and peak oil. Now people keep their lights on during Earth Hour, opinion polls show the public discounts global warming fears and peak oil concerns seem distant, given revolutions in shale oil, shale gas, and methane hydrates that promise to gusher in an epoch of endless energy. With energy surpluses slashing the cost of fuel – natural gas prices have more than halved – the stage is set for another radical transformation in lifestyles over the coming decades. In the post-OPEC, resource-rich world we are entering, look for a new post-alarmist Age of Plenty as we harness energy for our comfort, convenience and quality of life. --Lawrence Solomon,
Financial Post, 10 January 2014
Are the gales and heavy rain Britain has experienced over recent weeks a direct result of global warming? Well, certainly that famed climate expert, hugger of huskies and erector of useless windmills David Cameron thinks so. The Prime Minister told the House of Commons that he “very much suspects” that global warming is behind the recent storms. And he is basing that “suspicion” on what exactly? Erm…on not very much as it happens. --Bill Carmichael,
Yorkshire Post, 10 January 2014
