CARBON COUNTER Issues ...Finite Fossil Fuels										Noticeboard
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Finite Fossil Fuels

We are running out of fossil fuels.
Just how quickly is a matter of debate , economics and a lot of politics.

OIL

Unfortunately, most of the oil now being consumed in the world is occurring on the other side of the world where there are the greatest reserves. "We consume" about 84 million barrels a day. ..."Info"...Biggest reserves..where /who

There is much talk about "reserves", and there is a strong market argument that the higher the price for oil, the more it is worth excavating shale and the like. But this ignores the increased difficulty in getting any oil in terms of energy/security, not too mention those who can't afford the higher prices..

How long will the oil last?
We are not the only ones asking this question. However, we need to worry about what happens long before it runs out.

'Peak' Oil refers to the maximum rate of the production of oil in any area under consideration, recognising that it is a finite natural resource, subject to depletion. World demand for oil and gas will outstrip supply within seven years, according to Royal Dutch Shell.

UK: Britain released the latest national energy statistics through the end of 2006. Total production was 196.1 million tons of oil equivalent, 9.0 per cent lower than in 2005. Within this, production of petroleum fell by 9.3 percent, production of natural gas fell by 9.1 percent and production of coal fell by 8.3 percent." Peak Oil Review. The UK is set to become a net importer of crude oil and refined products in 2007. it may be that the UK has to face up to hiw much oil it uses before anybody else, as there are only about 250 barrels per person compatred with say Norway with 4000. More

Energy Watch Group (pdf) predicts world oil production will fall by half by 2030

COAL

With skyrocketing gas prices, oil supplies threatened, the stuff responsible for a quarter of the world's CO2 emissions is on a roll. China, miners killed at rate of 5000/yr is building an average of two coal fired power stations a week..and in 6 years has doubled coal production. India will construct more than 100 coal fired stations in next decade. US power corporations are pushing plans for about 150 coal fired stations..Giulliani talking of "increasing reliance on US coal". In the next 10 years 37 countries, many signed up to Kyoto, will build coal-fired stations.

Coal production will PEAK in about 25 yrs.

Oil & War Quiz

"This order [i.e. capitalism] is now bound to the technical and economic conditions of machine production which today determine the lives of all the individuals who are born into this mechanism... Perhaps it will so determine them until the last ton of fossilised coal is burnt."

Max Weber, 1905

Check out APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in Australia

CARBON COUNTER
Have you wondered whether the new Climate Change Bill looks like the ASPO Oil Protocol dressed up? The proposed annual reduction of CO₂ of around 2.5% is roughly what has been suggested as the expected global oil production capacity decline rate.

Fossil Fuels

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Environmental Practice at Work Publishing Company Ltd.