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Windmill in Australia. (Photo by Rhenda Glasco)
OIL
OVERVIEW
The oil industry has a less-than-stellar environmental record in general, but it becomes even worse in tropical
rainforest regions, which often contain rich deposits of petroleum. The most notorious examples of rainforest havoc
caused by oil firms are Shell Oil in Nigeria and Texaco in Ecuador. Both companies have degraded the local environment
and affected local and indigenous people by their activities. The Texaco operation in Ecuador was responsible for
spilling some 17 million gallons of oil into the biologically rich tributaries of the upper Amazon, while Shell
Oil sometimes lent cooperation to the former oppressive military dictatorship in Nigeria in the suppression and
harassment of local people.
ACTION
The proper action to take to make the oil industry more sustainable is a difficult one; engineers worldwide are
paid millions of dollars to do so. The simplest, most reliable solution would be to prohibit oil extraction in
the tropical rainforest. However, this is unreasonable considering the number of tropical countries that rely on
their oil reserves for developing their economies and the importance of oil in today's fossil fuel-driven economy.
The basic steps should be to reduce pollution produced by extraction methods and to minimize the occurrence of
spills. Perhaps this can be accomplished by developing more durable pipelines for oil transport and adopting oil
reinjection techniques used in the United States. The limitation of oil roads and settlements is also important
in reducing deforestation. Shell Oil in Gabon has taken steps to prevent its operations in Gamba from drawing masses
into shantytown unemployment by restricting access—through costly airline flights—to the oil fields.
Biofuels
Alternatively, replacements for liquid fuels can be developed, though early efforts to use biofuels have had serious environmental consequences.
While some believed biofuels—fuels that are derived from biomass, including recently living organisms like plants or their metabolic byproducts like cow manure— would offer environmental benefits over conventional fossils fuels, the production and use of biofuels derived from palm oil, soy, corn, rapeseed, and sugar cane have in recent years driven up food prices, promoted large-scale deforestation, depleted water supplies, worsened soil erosion, and lead to increased air and water pollution. Still, there is hope that the next generation of biofuels, derived from farm waste and native grasses and weeds, could eliminate many of the worse effects seen during the current rush into biofuels.
Efficiency
Good old-fashioned oil conservation is effective in reducing demand for oil products. After the first OPEC embargo
in 1973, the United States realized the importance of oil efficiency and initiated policies to do away with wasteful
practices. By 1985, the U.S. was 25 percent more energy efficient and 32 percent more oil efficient than in 1973.
Of course the
U.S. was upstaged by the Japanese who in the same period improved their energy efficiency by 31 percent and their oil
efficiency by 51 percent. Today the importance of oil to the economy continues to diminish. Despite the 51 percent growth in the American economy between 1990 and 2004, carbon emissions only increased 19% suggesting that those who insist that economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions move in tandem are wrong.
California plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions April 4, 2006
California plans to introduce legislation that will impose binding limiting on future greenhouse gas emissions. The state aims to cut current levels of emissions 10 percent by 2020, to bring pollution in line with 1990 levels. It would become the first state to implement mandatory controls on greenhouse gasses.
Slowing global warming may be less costly than initially thought March 9, 2006
Preventing carbon dioxide levels from rising to potentially dangerous levels could cost less far less than originally projected—less 1 percent of gross world product as of 2050—but a major shift in the way energy is found, transformed, transported and used will be necessary to prevent a severe energy crisis within the next century, say researchers from the The Earth Institute.
Ethanol more energy-efficient than oil, finds study January 26, 2006
Using ethanol -- alcohol produced from corn or other plants -- instead of gasoline is more energy-efficient than oil say researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
Making wind power less deadly for birds December 15, 2005
High oil prices and concern over climate change are driving interest in renewable energy technologies. All types of potential power sources not limited to the sun—ocean tides and waves, raw sewage, and even insects—are the focus of media reports, while governments and industry scramble to announce their grand plans for adopting green energy.
Energy efficiency helped California grow an extra $31 billion finds study 4-Dec-05 Countering Bush administration claims to the contrary, environmental officials for the state of California and the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo have found significant evidence that greenhouse gas pollution can be substantially reduced at a profit rather than a cost. The study, commissioned by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, found that energy efficiency has helped the California economy grow an extra 3 percent—a $31 billion gain—compared to business as usual. Further, the researchers say that each Californian typically saved about $1,000 per year between 1975 and 1995 just through efficiency standards for buildings and appliances.
Photovoltaic solar energy conversion can be cost-competitive by 2030 November 16, 2005
Professor Andrew Blakers from the Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems at the Australian National University reported to the Greenhouse 2000 Conference in Melbourne that photovoltaic (PV) solar energy conversion can be cost-competitive with any low-emission electricity generation technology by 2030.
Britain has best wind-power potential in Europe November 14, 2005
A survey of wind power in Britain says the island nation has the best wind in Europe because it blows year round and peaks when there is the greatest demand for electricity. Further, the study found that there has never been a time over the past 35 years when the entire country has experienced a period of no wind.
Organic solar cells will help spur viability of alternative energy October 10, 2005
Imagine being able to "paint" your roof with enough alternative energy to heat and cool your home. What if soldiers in the field could carry an energy source in a roll of plastic wrap in their backpacks?
Poor need renewable energy sources, says Annan August 23, 2005
In a new report, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says energy poverty is seriously impeding socio-economic development in the world's poorest countries. Noting that in the developing countries some 1.6 billion people still lack access to electricity and about 2.4 billion continue to rely on traditional biomass like fuelwood for cooking and heating, Annan calls for intensified efforts to promote renewable energy sources for the poor.
Cow manure + sunlight + metal ore = hydrogen fuel? August 11, 2005 Researchers led by Michael Epstein at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel think they may have an energy-efficient way of collecting solar energy to generate hydrogen, a key input for green energy technologies like fuel cells. Currently, most hydrogen is produced by processes that require the combustion of fossil fuels and produce polluting greenhouse gases. Further, finding safe and cost-effective means for the storage and transportation of hydrogen gas has proved elusive to date. Epstein's process has the potential to address a number of these issues by "creating an easily storable intermediate energy source from metal ore, such as zinc oxide," according to a release from the Weizmann Institute of Science."
Renewable energy in China, a strategic future?
August 2, 2005
With a host of environmental and domestic social concerns—and potential future international conflict—China could be well suited to pursue renewable energy sources. While China has been actively investing in exploration and development operations in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia over the past five years, it has also significantly expanded its interests in renewable energy sources including wind, solar, biofuels, tidal, and small hydroelectric dams.
How might I invest in green-energy projects? July 20, 2005
On June 17, Associate Press reported that Zilhka Renewable Energy hopes to complete a $100 million wind farm in eastern Oregon by December 2006. The article said the company-owned wind farms function in eleven states. For many investors, green or otherwise, this would seem like a great company in which to own stock. Whether or not the numbers would bear that out, a savvy investor would first want to know, "How might I buy a piece of Zilhka or invest in their projects?"
The developed world can seek alternative methods to oil exploration, by developing new technologies
that rely less on processes that are ecologically damaging. For example, compressed natural gas is a cleaner-burning
fuel than gasoline, is already used in some cars, and is available in vast quantities.
Even more environmentally sound than natural gas are hydrogen fuel-cell-based technologies. Already,
cars powered by hybrid fuel cells, though not independent of fossil fuels, are entering the market, and the big
automakers in Detroit and Japan are pumping hundreds of millions into improving fuel-cell technology. Within a
generation, fuel cells may be lighting our homes and heating our swimming pools.
To encourage investment in research and development of "greener" technologies, governments can help by eliminating subsidies for the oil and gas industry and imposing higher taxes on heavy polluters. While governments will play a role in cleaner-energy development, it is likely that the private sector will provide most of the funding and innovation for new energy projects. Venture capital firms are busy evaluating and funding new technologies, while corporations are getting on board as well. In early 2006, General Electric (GE), one of the world's largest corporations, announced a new push for environmental technologies, one that would both promote the development of new products and services as well as reducing the company's impact on the environment. Under the initiative, every GE business unit will have to cut its output of carbon dioxide to meet strict internal targets, while research spending on clean products will be more than doubled by 2010. In the wake of GE's shift, we are likely to see other companies adopting similar strategies for profiting in a greener business environment.
At times, hydroelectric projects have proven to have a significantly negative impact on the local environment, so alternative ways of
generating electricity should be considered. For example, developments in the field of solar energy will soon make make the direct harvesting of solar energy an economic practice. Several projects in California ensure that the state will soon become one of the world's largest producers of solar electricity, while an Australian firm is taking a different approach to capturing energy from the sun by using "solar chimney" concept. Someday it might be possible for countries with large expanses of desert
like those in the Sahara to produce energy not only for their own people, but also for export, bringing in much-needed revenue. The revenue gained from the export of electricity could finance the development of other industries, which with the electric energy source would be considerably cleaner and probably more reliable than energy supplied by fossil fuels.
Wind power also has a lot of potential as a power source—one that again could benefit some of the world's poorest and most isolated countries. The solar-based or wind-based economy could vastly improve the standards of living, while possibly decreasing the need to exploit forests for fuelwood, charcoal, oil, and hydroelectric potential. Economic returns from such a knowledge-intensive industry would promote much sounder, more meaningful growth than wealth earned from extractive industry. And education in universities could be geared toward improving solar panels, developing solar-based industries, and improving the durability and efficiency of wind-power rechnology.
Admittedly, there are many challenges facing sustainable use of tropical
rainforests. In arriving at a solution many issues must be addressed, including the resolution of conflicting
claims to land considered to be in the public domain; barriers to markets; the assurance of sustainable development
without over-exploitation in the face of growing demand for forest products; determination of the best way to use forests; and the
consideration of many other factors.
Almost none of these economic possibilities can become realities if the rainforests are completely stripped. Useful
products cannot be harvested from species that no longer exist, just as eco-tourists will not visit the vast stretches
of wasteland that were once lush forest. Thus some of the primary rainforests must be salvaged for sustainable
development to be at all successful.
Review questions:
What are some alternative sources of energy beyond oil, gas, and coal?
Why can palm biodiesel be damaging to the rainforest?
Fossil fuel subsidies "bringing us closer to irreversible climate change"
(11/06/2009) The Green Economy Coalition is urging G20 finance ministers to rapidly put an end to fossil fuel subsidies. In a letter to the ministers the coalition argues that these subsidies are contributing directly to climate change and making it difficult for the world to transition to a greener economy.
Crisis averted for now, Peruvian natives will meet with Hunt Oil
(10/28/2009) Indigenous groups in a dispute with Hunt Oil, over the company performing seismic tests their land, have scheduled a meeting with the Texas based oil corporation, according to Reuters.
Will Ecuador's plan to raise money for not drilling oil in the Amazon succeed?
(10/27/2009) Ecuador's Yasuni National Park is full of wealth: it is one of the richest places on earth in terms of biodiversity; it is home to the indigenous Waorani people, as well as several uncontacted tribes; and the park's forest and soil provides a massive carbon sink. However, Yasuni National Park also sits on wealth of a different kind: one billion barrels of oil remain locked under the pristine rainforest.
Amazonian natives say they will defend tribal lands from Hunt Oil with "their lives"
(10/25/2009) Indigenous natives in the Amazon are headed to the town of Salvacion in Peru with a plan to forcibly remove the Texas-based Hunt Oil company from their land as early as today. Peruvian police forces, numbering in the hundreds, are said to be waiting in the town. The crisis has risen over an area known as Lot 76, or the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve. The 400,000 hectare reserve was created in 2002 to protect the flora and fauna of the area, as well as to safeguard watersheds of particular importance to indigenous groups in the region.
