Clipmarks | JICWyllie's clips

Green tax revolt: Britons 'will not foot bill to save planet'

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:12:49 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie
clipper's remarks: What people think does not matter. They will be forced to comply to a low carbon lifestyle because they will not be able to afford to do anything else. The economy will be the irresistible enforcer.

Clip Source: www.independent.co.uk

More than seven in 10 voters insist that they would not be willing to pay higher taxes in order to fund projects to combat climate change, according to a new poll.

The survey also reveals that most Britons believe "green" taxes on 4x4s, plastic bags and other consumer goods have been imposed to raise cash rather than change our behaviour, while two-thirds of Britons think the entire green agenda has been hijacked as a ploy to increase taxes.

The results of the poll by Opinium, a leading research company, indicate that maintaining popular support for green policies may be a difficult act to pull off, and attempts in the future to curb car use and publicly fund investment in renewable resources will prove deeply unpopular.

Just over a third of respondents (34 per cent) believe that extreme weather is becoming more common but has nothing to do with global warming. One in 10 said that they believed that climate change is totally natural.

Tags: environment, i-climate change, i-risks, i-increase

Fatih Birol interview: 'Leave oil before it leaves us'

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:56:11 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie

Clip Source: www.energybulletin.net

Schneider:

If I understand you correctly, you say that the demand for oil could rise 3 % globally every year, while we have to expect a decrease of 4 % in oil production in the time from now until 2015. That would be 7 % each year which are missing.

Birol:

The demand might increase a little slower. But there could be a large gap between what should be there and what actually will be there, especially if we do not put massive efforts into improving the efficiency of cars or change to other transportation systems. If we don't take measures on the consumer side, the consumption will continue to grow. And if we have not invested enough into oil production, we will flounder.

Schneider:

But isn't it time to give a clear signal? Especially since a lot of money is wrongly invested by the OECD countries - for example for building new airports, even though there will not be enough oil to constantly increase air travel?

Tags: energy, oil, i-supply, i-decrease, i-forecast

The peak oil crisis: the half-life for air travel

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:40:22 GMT

clipped by: JICWyllie

Clip Source: www.energybulletin.net

In 2000, the airlines fuel bill was $14 billion. It is now pushing $60 billion and climbing. Southwest, the most profitable carrier, recently announced that this year’s fuel bill will be $500 million more than last year and equal to 2007 profits. During the first quarter of 2008 American airlines lost $328 million; Delta lost $274 million; United lost $537 million; Continental $80 million; Northwest $191 million; and US Airways $236 million. Only Southwest Airlines, which did a better job of hedging its fuel than the others, made a profit.

It is clear we are going to see major changes in air travel shortly.

After the summer flying season ends next September, many airlines are planning to retire 5-10 percent of their least efficient aircraft, thereby reducing their flight schedules by a similar amount.

Knowledgeable observers are expressing doubts these moves will be enough.

There is still a remarkable amount of denial in the airline business.

Tags: energy, oil, i-demand, i-decrease, i-forecast