We noted in April’s BT notes that energy prices are likely to be the daunting news of May, and now look at the report from Goldman Sachs. They think oil prices will hit $200 a barrel within 6 months. Here are the links showing that oil is approaching an all time high in real terms …
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Category:4 Energy
We’re running out of planet …
Even the capitalists are beginning to ask if earth’s resources are now being exhausted: BusinessWeek’s article The Age of Scarcity asks if this is our Malthusian moment. They offer evidence to support that point of view but conclude that policy changes will allow new technologies to make resources go further. Unfortunately this is wishful thinking. …
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Costly prejudice against eco-homes
A UK study shows that consumers perceive costs of eco-homes but are unaware of the benefits. The survey suggests that people believe the quality of domestic services in eco-homes to be lower but more costly. This is in contrast to those that are buying or building eco-homes who do so because energy savings repay build …
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How to win economically
Amory Lovins (a long time alternative technology guru) giving a presentation on “winning the oil endgame”. He shows a number of current technologies that can save money, reduce oil use and create jobs. It’s marketed to a US audience, but that doesn’t mean everyone else can’t get a head start. See the online video here.
Addicted
I’m addicted, you’re addicted, we’re all addicted. But not addicted to love, sadly. We might like to think that we’re immune, but facing the truth, we must own up that our addictions are open secrets. Let’s touch a few bases to see where addiction might be in our lives. From personal to popular, from body …
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Oil, Asia, Asset Managers
McKinsey released this useful research on the world of money, pertinent to investors, asset managers and strategic planners. The New Power Brokers: How Oil, Asia, Hedge Funds, and Private Equity Are Shaping Global Capital Markets McKinsey reviews petrodollar investors, Asian central banks, hedge funds, and private equity and their increasingly important role in world financial …
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EU sustainability progress modest; transport remains a problem
A new progress report concludes that the EU has made only “modest” progress towards sustainability since revising its sustainable development strategy last year. The European commission says there have been significant policy developments in some of the seven areas identified as key action priorities, including climate and energy, but progress on policy has not yet …
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Zany and green at the Tokyo motor show
Zany concept vehicles and fuel efficient hybrids vied for attention at the Tokyo Motor Show. Both Toyota and Honda tried to soften the image of sports cars as gas guzzlers with concept hybrids running on a mix of petrol and electricity. Fuel cells, which run on hydrogen and emit only water, also make an appearance …
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Nuclear may be popular with politicians, but not people
Over the past year politicians have been leaning more towards nuclear as it seems to be a convenient solution to climate change. While safety and economic concerns have been depreciated, the public has not been convinced by the political spiel, at least in the UK. That is good and offers hope that appropriate energy alternatives …
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Solar demand outstrips supply and raises valuation concerns
China’s solar technology industry has experienced explosive growth in just a few short years as it becomes the principal supply of solar product. But in early October the challenge of getting enough raw material to satisfy demand has caused valuation concerns over listed Chinese solar businesses. At issue plaguing the global industry is an acute …
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