Energy Archives

Protesters at the United Nations' climate change conference in Poznan, Poland, in December 2008. Credit: Wambi Michael/IPS

ENVIRONMENT: ‘‘Climate Change Does Not Wait For Recessions’’

Lack of money and technical know-how makes it difficult for poor farmers to participate in the Kyoto Protocol’s carbon trading mechanism aimed at reversing global warming. Meanwhile, the global economic crisis may further undermine investment in carbon trade in African countries.

Tree Oils' jatropha fields in Zaheerabad demand costly farm inputs for higher yields. Credit: Keya Acharya/IPS

ENERGY-INDIA: Biofuelling Confusion

By Keya Acharya

A cactus-like plant spread over acres of red, laterite soils in the Tree Oils research farm, in this arid part of southern India, is at the centre of huge divisions over India’s ambitious biofuel programme.

ENERGY-CHINA: On Oil Shopping Spree

By IPS Correspondents

The major coup scored by Chinese diplomats in sealing a string of bulk volume energy deals in the past few weeks signals a new phase in Beijing’s energy diplomacy, deployed to secure long-term resources for the country’s power-hungry economy, according to analysts here.

CLIMATE CHANGE: The Heat Is On Washington

By Stephen Leahy

A boiling point over government inaction on climate change may have been reached in the United States.

UKRAINE: Between the Kremlin and a Hard Place

By IPS Correspondents

Ukraine's internal political problems and tensions with Russia threaten its path to stability and its candidacy for NATO and the EU, warns a new Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) report.

President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper give a joint press conference on Feb. 19 before rows of alternating U.S. and Canadian flags. Credit: White House photo by Pete Souza

POLITICS: Rhetoric and Reality Clash on Obama’s First Foreign Visit

By IPS Correspondents

On his first foreign visit as U.S. president, Barack Obama's rhetoric of "hope" and "change" came face to face with the hard, divisive policy realities of climate change from Canada's tar sands, a growing insurgency in Afghanistan and the sputtering world economy.

ENERGY: Clean and Green Gets a New Champion

By IPS Correspondents

The launch of a new international agency devoted solely to the promotion of renewable energy last month was applauded by many environmental groups, but left others wondering whether it is too little, too late.

Palownia tree shoot. Credit: Photo Stock

CHILE: Biofuels Head to the Forests

By Daniela Estrada

Chile has set its sights on producing second-generation plant-based fuels from forest biomass within the next five years. But before that it must consider the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of such an endeavour, warn experts and activists.

CAMBODIA: Chevron Silent on Bribery Allegations

By Marwaan Macan-Markar

U.S. energy giant Chevron is under fire for failing to disclose the amount of money it allegedly paid to secure rights to drill for offshore oil in corruption-ridden Cambodia.

On the high seas with parasails. Credit: SkySails

ENERGY: Parasails Can Move Ships

By Maricel Drazer

They say that faith can move mountains. Now, faith in the wind has led to a new way to move ships. The technique, developed in Germany, is powerful enough to move today's deep-draught cargo vessels and can reduce fuel consumption by 50 percent.

POLITICS-PARAGUAY: Twenty Years of Transition

By Natalia Ruiz Diaz

Paraguayan society is marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of former dictator Alfredo Stroessner (1954-1989) amid uncertainty surrounding the loss of power of the Colorado Party, which ruled the country for 61 years.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Presidents for Feminist Socialism

By Mario Osava

"True socialism is feminist," and is already being built, said Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, standing next to three other South American presidents, all of them men, at a dialogue that took place Thursday at the World Social Forum (WSF).

UAE/US: ‘Civilian Nuclear Deal Hint to Iran’

By Meena Janardhan

The civilian nuclear deal between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States may fulfill the former's long-term desire to develop alternative energy sources and the latter's intention to promote a model for peaceful nuclear energy that sends a hint to Iran.

BALKANS: In a New Search for Alternative Energy

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic

The gas crisis has unleashed new interest in turning to alternative energy sources in the Balkans.

EASTERN EUROPE: Go with Putin, or Go Nuclear

By Claudia Ciobanu

The gas crisis has placed environmental concerns on the backburner, and raised demands for nuclear production at plants once considered unsafe.

MIDEAST: Energy Security Guides China’s Approach

By Antoaneta Bezlova

China's pro-active stance in finding a settlement to the latest crisis in the Middle East - a trouble spot which does not normally figure on Beijing's list of top foreign policy priorities - suggests heightened attention to energy security for the country's power-hungry economy.