The UK’s political leaders have pledged to work together to combat climate change, whatever the election result. In a joint statement, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg said climate change was one of the most serious threats facing the world. They said climate change threatens not just the environment but also security, prosperity and
This time, it could be long-lasting—with dramatic consequences for the climate, the economy and the global balance of power. Oil is the most valuable commodity in world trade, so any significant change in its price—whether upward or downward—has far-reaching economic consequences. Because oil also plays a pivotal role in world politics, such shifts can have
When it comes to electric cars, buyers are often interested in two types of green. The lower environmental impact of a zero-emission vehicle, and the potential to save cash by eliminating gasoline use are both typically factors that motivate the purchase of an electric car, to varying degrees in different individuals. It’s also generally assumed
Oil giant BP is recommending its shareholders support a resolution calling on the company to address its climate change risks. The move comes after Shell recommended its shareholders support an identical resolution, filed by more than 150 investors, including UK local authorities and the Church of England. The resolutions call on the oil companies to
In Saudi Arabia, drivers pay roughly 45 cents a gallon to fill up their cars, and in Venezuela even less. Energy is so inexpensive in Kuwait and Qatar that residents chill their enormous swimming pools in the summer and typically leave their air-conditioners on at full blast while they are away on vacation. Across the
Oil prices have fallen by more than half since July. Just five years ago, such a plunge in fossil fuels would have put the renewable-energy industry on bankruptcy watch. Today: Meh. Here are seven reasons why humanity’s transition to cleaner energy won’t be sidetracked by cheap oil. 1. The Sun Doesn’t Compete With Oil Oil
Jobs cuts and cancelled projects mean that oil prices could bounce back harder and faster than before Is the return of $100 oil just around the corner? Just over a year ago, Peter Voser, in one of his last speeches as chief executive of Royal Dutch Shell, warned about the catastrophic consequences that could arise
Labour’s shadow environment minister Barry Gardiner has admitted that the party made the wrong decision to base car tax on CO2 emissions, encouraging people to buy diesel cars. [Published 27 January] In an interview with Channel 4′s Dispatches programme, which was aired yesterday evening, he said: “Hands up. There is absolutely no question that the
In 2013, governments around the world spent $548 billion to subsidize the use of oil, gas, and coal. This practice drives economists absolutely nuts: they say it’s wasteful, eats up budgets, and leads to more pollution and global warming than would otherwise be the case. Yet countries have long been reluctant to scrap these fossil-fuel
A new study has shown that increasing Britain’s installed wind energy capacity could go a long way to securing energy independence for the island nation. Commissioned by national trade body RenewableUK, and conducted by independent analysts Cambridge Econometrics, the report concluded that additional wind power in the country’s energy grid would make Britain’s energy supply
