Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Keeping A Peculiar Promise

The Sunnis are advancing in Iraq, a large oil producer. Iran, a large oil producer, may become involved. The conflict might interfere with production and transportation of oil in other producing countries.
The emerging markets are making more of a demand on world energy stores. According to The Global Warming Policy Foundation, Global demand for coal is expected to grow to 8.9 billion tons by 2016 from 7.9 billion tons this year. China is expected to add about 160 new coal-fired plants to the 620 operating now, within four years. 160! That's almost one a week. During that period, India will add more than 46 plants.
On the other hand, America's contribution to CO2 production is declining. CO2 production in the U.S. has fallen 12% from 2005 to 2012 and is at its lowest level since 1994. Coincidentally, employment rates have followed a similar path.
How could any reasonable person think of limiting energy sources in this country at a time like this?  Even if carbon were as toxic as arsenic, we would work around it. At any other time in history anyone campaigning to limit energy production would be suspected of  treason, bribery or blackmail.

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