Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Global Energy and Sustainability Research

Works Count: 97357

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Description

This cluster of papers explores the global energy transition, fossil fuel depletion, and the implications for society. It covers topics such as EROI, peak oil, renewable energy potential, and the role of energy in economic growth. The papers also discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to sustainable energy sources amidst concerns about climate change and resource constraints.

Keywords

EROI; Fossil Fuels; Renewable Energy; Peak Oil; Sustainability; Energy Return on Investment; Global Energy; Oil Production; Climate Change; Energy Transition

Photosynthesis and the Environment

1996-01-01

Neil R. Baker

Linking social and ecological systems: management practices and social mechanisms for building resilience

1998-09-01

Fikret Berkes , Carl Folke , Johan Colding

1. Linking social and ecological systems for resilience and sustainability Fikret Berkes and Carl Folke Part I. Learning from Locally Devised Systems: 2. People, refugia and resilience Madhav Gadgil, Natabar … 1. Linking social and ecological systems for resilience and sustainability Fikret Berkes and Carl Folke Part I. Learning from Locally Devised Systems: 2. People, refugia and resilience Madhav Gadgil, Natabar S. Hemam and B. Mohan Reddy 3. Learning by fishing: practical engagement and environemntal concerns Gisli Palsson 4. Dalecarlia in Central Sweden before 1800: a society of social and ecological resilience Ulf Sporrong Part II. Emergence of Resource Management Adaptations: 5. Learning to design reslilient resource management: indigenous systems in the Canadian subarctic Fikret Berkes 6. Resilience and neotraditional populations: the caicaras of the Atlantic forest and caboclos of the Amazon (Brazil) Alpina Begossi 7. Indigenous African resource management of a tropical rain forest ecosystem: a case study of the Yoruba of Ara, Nigeria D. Michael Warren and Jennifer Pinkson 8. Managing for human and ecological context in the Maine soft shell clam fishery Susan S. Hanna Part III. Success and Failure in Regional Systems: 9. Resilient resource management in Mexico's forest ecosystems: the contribution of property rights Janis B. Alcorn and Victor M. Toledo 10. The resilience of pastoral herding in Sahelian Africa Maryam Niamir-Fuller 11. Reviving the social system-ecosystem links in the Himalayas Narpat S. Jodha 12. Crossing the threshold of ecosystem resilience: the commercial extinction of northern cod A. Christopher Finlayson and Bonnie J. McCay Part IV. Designing New Approaches to Management: 13. Science, sustainability and resource management C. S. Holling, Fikret Berkes and Carl Folke 14. Integrated management of a temperate montane forest ecosystem through holistic forestry: a British Columbia example Evelyn Pinkerton 15. Managing chaotic fisheries James M. Acheson, James A. Wilson and Robert S. Steneck 16. Social mechanisms and institutional learning for resilience and sustainability Carl Folke, Fikret Berkes and Johan Colding Index.

This changes everything: capitalism vs. the climate

2015-10-20

Naomi Klein

Klein's international bestseller This Changes Everything is a must-read on our future, one of the defining and most hopeful books of this era. Forget everything you think you know about … Klein's international bestseller This Changes Everything is a must-read on our future, one of the defining and most hopeful books of this era. Forget everything you think you know about global warming. It's not about carbon - it's about capitalism. good news is that we can seize this crisis to transform our failed economic system and build something radically better. Once a decade, Klein writes a book that redefines its era. No Logo did so for globalization. Shock Doctrine changed the way we think about austerity. In This Changes Everything, her most provocative and optimistic book yet, Klein has upended the debate about the stormy era already upon us, exposing the myths that are clouding the climate debate. You have been told the market will save us, when in fact the addiction to profit and growth is digging us in deeper every day. You have been told it's impossible to get off fossil fuels when in fact we know exactly how to do it - it just requires breaking every rule in the free-market play book. You have also been told that humanity is too greedy and selfish to rise to this challenge. In fact, all around the world, the fight back is already succeeding in ways both surprising and inspiring. It's about changing the world, before the world changes so drastically that no one is safe. Either we leap - or we sink. This Changes Everything is a book that will redefine our era. The most important book I've read all year - perhaps in a decade...crucially, she leaves the reader with a sense of optimism. (Stephanie Merritt, Observer, Books of the Year). A book of such ambition and consequence it is almost unreviewable...The most momentous and contentious environmental book since Silent Spring. (Rob Nixon, New York Times). Naomi is like a great doctor - she can diagnose problems nobody else sees. (Alfonso Cuaron). Damn right, this changes everything...one of the greatest non fiction works of all time...not just a book. It is a path of survival. (D. R. Tucker, Washington Monthly).

Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation

2011-11-21

Ottmar Edenhofer , Ramón Pichs-Madruga , Youba Sokona +7 more

This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy … This Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report (IPCC-SRREN) assesses the potential role of renewable energy in the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy sources – bioenergy, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean and wind energy – as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It considers the environmental and social consequences associated with the deployment of these technologies and presents strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. SRREN brings a broad spectrum of technology-specific experts together with scientists studying energy systems as a whole. Prepared following strict IPCC procedures, it presents an impartial assessment of the current state of knowledge: it is policy relevant but not policy prescriptive. SRREN is an invaluable assessment of the potential role of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change for policymakers, the private sector and academic researchers.

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A manual for the economic evaluation of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies

1995-03-01

W. Short , Daniel J. Packey , Tracy Van Holt

This manual is a guide for analyzing the economics of energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE) technologies and projects. It is intended (1) to help analysts determine the appropriate approach … This manual is a guide for analyzing the economics of energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE) technologies and projects. It is intended (1) to help analysts determine the appropriate approach or type of analysis and the appropriate level of detail and (2) to assist EE analysts in completing consistent analyses using standard assumptions and bases, when appropriate. Included are analytical techniques that are commonly required for the economic analysis of EE technologies and projects. The manual consists of six sections: Introduction, Fundamentals, Selection Criteria Guide, Economic Measures, Special Considerations for Conservation and Renewable Energy Systems, and References. A glossary and eight appendices are also included. Each section has a brief introductory statement, a presentation of necessary formulae, a discussion, and when appropriate, examples and descriptions of data and data availability. The objective of an economic analysis is to provide the information needed to make a judgment or a decision. The most complete analysis of an investment in a technology or a project requires the analysis of each year of the life of the investment, taking into account relevant direct costs, indirect and overhead costs, taxes, and returns on investment, plus any externalities, such as environmental impacts, that are relevant to the decision to be made. However, it is important to consider the purpose and scope of a particular analysis at the outset because this will prescribe the course to follow. The perspective of the analysis is important, often dictating the approach to be used. Also, the ultimate use of the results of an analysis will influence the level of detail undertaken. The decision-making criteria of the potential investor must also be considered.

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The limits to growth: the 30-year update

2004-11-01

Donella H. Meadows , Dennis L. Meadows , Jørgen Randers

In 1972, three scientists from MIT created a computer model that analyzed global resource consumption and production. Their results shocked the world and created stirring conversation about global 'overshoot, ' … In 1972, three scientists from MIT created a computer model that analyzed global resource consumption and production. Their results shocked the world and created stirring conversation about global 'overshoot, ' or resource use beyond the carrying capacity of the planet. Now, preeminent environmental scientists Donnella Meadows, Jorgen Randers, and Dennis Meadows have teamed up again to update and expand their original findings in to Growth: The 30 Year Global Update.Meadows, Randers, and Meadows are international environmental leaders recognized for their groundbreaking research into early signs of wear on the planet. Citing climate change as the most tangible example of our current overshoot, the scientists now provide us with an updated scenario and a plan to reduce our needs to meet the carrying capacity of the planet.Over the past three decades, population growth and global warming have forged on with a striking semblance to the scenarios laid out by the World3 computer model in the original Limits to Growth. While Meadows, Randers, and Meadows do not make a practice of predicting future environmental degradation, they offer an analysis of present and future trends in resource use, and assess a variety of possible outcomes.In many ways, the message contained in Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update is a warning. Overshoot cannot be sustained without collapse. But, as the authors are careful to point out, there is reason to believe that humanity can still reverse some of its damage to Earth if it takes appropriate measures to reduce inefficiency and waste.Written in refreshingly accessible prose, Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update is a long anticipated revival of some of the original voices in the growing chorus of sustainability. Limits to Growth: The 30 Year Update is a work of stunning intelligence that will expose for humanity the hazy but critical line between human growth and human development.

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What is energy efficiency?

1996-05-01

Murray Patterson

Our Ecological Footprint: reducing human impact on the earth

1997-11-01

Gene Bazan

Review: Our Ecological Footprint: reducing human impact on the Earth. By Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees Reviewed by Gene Bazan Center for Sustainability, Pennsylvania State University Wackernagel, Mathis and William … Review: Our Ecological Footprint: reducing human impact on the Earth. By Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees Reviewed by Gene Bazan Center for Sustainability, Pennsylvania State University Wackernagel, Mathis and William Rees. Our Ecological Footprint: reducing human impact on the Earth. Philadelphia, PA: New Society Publishers, 1996. 160 pp. US $14.94 paper ISBN: 0-86571-312-X. Partially recycled, acid-free paper using soy-based ink. If the earth's inhabitants were to live at the standard of the U.S., we would require three planet Earths to support us. Many of us have heard or read something like this before. Our Ecological Footprint provides a graphically compelling and quantitatively rigorous way for us to engage in the worldwide sustainability debate: Ecological Footprint analysis. Through this analysis we can determine the consequences of our behavior, and proposed solutions, at any level: individual, household, community, nation, or world. Ecological Footprint analysis measures the aggregate land area required for a given population to exist in a sustainable manner. Wackernagel and Rees note that at 11 acres per person, the U.S. has the highest per capita footprint and suggest that this number should be closer to 6 acres per person. Further, the U.S. faces an 80% ecological deficit, which means we are borrowing from our grandchildren's legacy, and expropriating land from elsewhere in the world. By contrast, each European requires around 5 acres; however, Europeans face higher ecological deficits because they have smaller land areas. Unlike other approaches, which focus on the depletion of non-renewables such as fossil fuel and minerals, Ecological Footprint analysis asserts that the road to sustainability must be paved with sustainable practices. Thus, our use of fossil fuel must have as a compensatory sink the acres of woodlot required to sequester the carbon from our combustion of fossil fuel (in our cars, home heating, etc.) or, alternatively, the acres of fields required to grow biofuel. For example, in comparing our daily commute by car, bus or bicycle, and considering all land requirements (e.g., manufacturing land to produce

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Turbulent Diffusion in the Environment

1973-01-01

G. T. Csanady

The Petroleum System—From Source to Trap

1994-01-01

Leslie B. Magoon , Wallace G. Dow

Abstract The petroleum system concept is a reliable and logical way to judge and describe the petroleum potential and exploration risks of undrilled propects, plays, and basins. In 19 chapters … Abstract The petroleum system concept is a reliable and logical way to judge and describe the petroleum potential and exploration risks of undrilled propects, plays, and basins. In 19 chapters on petroleum system basics and 18 case study chapters, this comprehensive volume provides an integrated look at the processes of petroleum generation in active source rocks, migration, and accumulation in traps.

XX. <i>On the equilibrium of liquid conducting masses charged with electricity</i>

1882-09-01

Lord Rayleigh

(1882). XX. On the equilibrium of liquid conducting masses charged with electricity. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 14, No. 87, pp. 184-186. (1882). XX. On the equilibrium of liquid conducting masses charged with electricity. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 14, No. 87, pp. 184-186.

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The Scientific Consensus on Climate Change

2004-12-02

Наоми Орескес

Policy-makers and the public who are not members of the relevant research community have had to form opinions about the reality of global climate change on the basis of often … Policy-makers and the public who are not members of the relevant research community have had to form opinions about the reality of global climate change on the basis of often conflicting descriptions provided by the media regarding the level of scientific certainty attached to studies of climate. In this Essay, Oreskes analyzes the existing scientific literature to show that there is a robust consensus that anthropogenic global climate change is occurring. Thus, despite claims sometimes made by some groups that there is not good evidence that Earth9s climate is being affected by human activities, the scientific community is in overwhelming agreement that such evidence is clear and persuasive.

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When will fossil fuel reserves be diminished?

2008-09-28

Shahriar Shafiee , Erkan Topal

Review of fossil fuels and future energy technologies

2015-04-06

Naeem Abas , Ali Raza Kalair , Nasrullah Khan

Pooling Cross Section and Time Series Data in the Estimation of a Dynamic Model: The Demand for Natural Gas

1966-07-01

Pietro Balestra , Marc Nerlove

The properties of hydrogen as fuel tomorrow in sustainable energy system for a cleaner planet

2004-12-11

Magdalena Momirlan , Т. Н. Везироглу

Ethanol Can Contribute to Energy and Environmental Goals

2006-01-26

Alexander E. Farrell , Richard J. Plevin , Brian T. Turner +3 more

To study the potential effects of increased biofuel use, we evaluated six representative analyses of fuel ethanol. Studies that reported negative net energy incorrectly ignored coproducts and used some obsolete … To study the potential effects of increased biofuel use, we evaluated six representative analyses of fuel ethanol. Studies that reported negative net energy incorrectly ignored coproducts and used some obsolete data. All studies indicated that current corn ethanol technologies are much less petroleum-intensive than gasoline but have greenhouse gas emissions similar to those of gasoline. However, many important environmental effects of biofuel production are poorly understood. New metrics that measure specific resource inputs are developed, but further research into environmental metrics is needed. Nonetheless, it is already clear that large-scale use of ethanol for fuel will almost certainly require cellulosic technology.

Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet

2015-01-16

Will Steffen , Katherine Richardson , Johan Rockström +7 more

Crossing the boundaries in global sustainability The planetary boundary (PB) concept, introduced in 2009, aimed to define the environmental limits within which humanity can safely operate. This approach has proved … Crossing the boundaries in global sustainability The planetary boundary (PB) concept, introduced in 2009, aimed to define the environmental limits within which humanity can safely operate. This approach has proved influential in global sustainability policy development. Steffen et al. provide an updated and extended analysis of the PB framework. Of the original nine proposed boundaries, they identify three (including climate change) that might push the Earth system into a new state if crossed and that also have a pervasive influence on the remaining boundaries. They also develop the PB framework so that it can be applied usefully in a regional context. Science , this issue 10.1126/science.1259855

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Understanding carbon lock-in

2000-10-01

Gregory C. Unruh

Defining the Anthropocene

2015-03-01

Simon L. Lewis , Mark Maslin

Quantifying and mapping the human appropriation of net primary production in earth's terrestrial ecosystems

2007-07-07

Helmut Haberl , Karl‐Heinz Erb , Fridolin Krausmann +6 more

Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP), the aggregate impact of land use on biomass available each year in ecosystems, is a prominent measure of the human domination of the … Human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP), the aggregate impact of land use on biomass available each year in ecosystems, is a prominent measure of the human domination of the biosphere. We present a comprehensive assessment of global HANPP based on vegetation modeling, agricultural and forestry statistics, and geographical information systems data on land use, land cover, and soil degradation that localizes human impact on ecosystems. We found an aggregate global HANPP value of 15.6 Pg C/yr or 23.8% of potential net primary productivity, of which 53% was contributed by harvest, 40% by land-use-induced productivity changes, and 7% by human-induced fires. This is a remarkable impact on the biosphere caused by just one species. We present maps quantifying human-induced changes in trophic energy flows in ecosystems that illustrate spatial patterns in the human domination of ecosystems, thus emphasizing land use as a pervasive factor of global importance. Land use transforms earth's terrestrial surface, resulting in changes in biogeochemical cycles and in the ability of ecosystems to deliver services critical to human well being. The results suggest that large-scale schemes to substitute biomass for fossil fuels should be viewed cautiously because massive additional pressures on ecosystems might result from increased biomass harvest.

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Energy and Economic Myths

1975-01-01

Nicholas Georgescu‐Roegen

There is an appreciable grain of truth in one of Percy Bridgman's remarks that the profession is the most opportunistic of all. Indeed, economists' attention has continually shifted from one … There is an appreciable grain of truth in one of Percy Bridgman's remarks that the profession is the most opportunistic of all. Indeed, economists' attention has continually shifted from one problem to another, the problems often being not even closely related. Search all periodicals of the English-speaking world before 1950, for example, and you will hardly find any mention of economic development. It is curious, therefore, that economists have over the last hundred years remained stubbornly attached to one particular idea, the mechanistic epistemology which dominated the orientation of the founders of the Neoclassical

Entering the Century of the Environment: A New Social Contract for Science

1998-01-23

Jane Lubchenco

As the magnitude of human impacts on the ecological systems of the planet becomes apparent, there is increased realization of the intimate connections between these systems and human health, the … As the magnitude of human impacts on the ecological systems of the planet becomes apparent, there is increased realization of the intimate connections between these systems and human health, the economy, social justice, and national security. The concept of what constitutes “the environment” is changing rapidly. Urgent and unprecedented environmental and social changes challenge scientists to define a new social contract. This contract represents a commitment on the part of all scientists to devote their energies and talents to the most pressing problems of the day, in proportion to their importance, in exchange for public funding. The new and unmet needs of society include more comprehensive information, understanding, and technologies for society to move toward a more sustainable biosphere—one which is ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially just. New fundamental research, faster and more effective transmission of new and existing knowledge to policy- and decision-makers, and better communication of this knowledge to the public will all be required to meet this challenge.

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Collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed

2005-10-01

Jared M. Diamond

overgrazing subsequently.We should be very grateful to Mieth and Bork for making available to the general public the extremely satisfying results of their research on the Poike Peninsula and for … overgrazing subsequently.We should be very grateful to Mieth and Bork for making available to the general public the extremely satisfying results of their research on the Poike Peninsula and for writing and producing this very attractive and copiou ly illu trated little volume.It is, however, a pity that the translation into English of the original German manuscript was not checked by a native English speaker.There are more than a few lingui tic mistakes in the text, a well a orne ub tantive mistake, uch as the incorrect pelling of Zea may (p.32), that need to be corrected in the next edition.In addition, an explanation for the layman of the terminology associated with radiocarbon dating would be very helpful.onethele , even with it flaws, Easter Is/and -Rapa Nui, Scientific Pathways to Secrets of the Past i a wonderful book and it is certainly an e sential addition to the library of anyone with even a passing interest in Easter Island and/or the ecology of small i lands.

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Available Potential Energy and the Maintenance of the General Circulation

1955-01-01

Edward N. Lorenz

The available potential energy of the atmosphere may be defined as the difference between the total potential energy and the minimum total potential energy which could result from any adiabatic … The available potential energy of the atmosphere may be defined as the difference between the total potential energy and the minimum total potential energy which could result from any adiabatic redistribution of mass. It vanishes if the density stratification is horizontal and statically stable everywhere, and is positive otherwise. It is measured approximately by a weighted vertical average of the horizontal variance of temperature. In magnitude it is generally about ten times the total kinetic energy, but less than one per cent of the total potential energy. Under adiabatic flow the sum of the available potential energy and the kinetic energy is conserved, but large increases in available potential energy are usually accompanied by increases in kinetic energy, and therefore involve nonadiabatic effects. Available potential energy may be partitioned into zonal and eddy energy by an analysis of variance of the temperature field. The zonal form may be converted into the eddy form by an eddy-transport of sensible heat toward colder latitudes, while each form may be converted into the corresponding form of kinetic energy. The general circulation is characterized by a conversion of zonal available potential energy, which is generated by low-latitude heating and high-latitude cooling, to eddy available potential energy, to eddy kinetic energy, to zonal kinetic energy.

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Uncertainty, Resource Exploitation, and Conservation: Lessons from History

1993-04-02

Donald Ludwig , Ray Hilborn , Carl J. Walters

There are currently many plans for sustainable use or sustainable development that are founded upon scientific information and consensus. Such ideas reflect ignorance of the history of resource exploitation and … There are currently many plans for sustainable use or sustainable development that are founded upon scientific information and consensus. Such ideas reflect ignorance of the history of resource exploitation and misunderstanding of the possibility of achieving scientific consensus concerning resources and the environment. Although there is considerable variation in detail, there is remarkable consistency in the history of resource exploitation: resources are inevitably overexploited, often to the point of collapse or extinction. We suggest that such consistency is due to the following common features: (i) Wealth or the prospect of wealth generates political and social power that is used to promote unlimited exploitation of resources. (ii) Scientific understanding and consensus is hampered by the lack of controls and replicates, so that each new problem involves learning about a new system. (iii) The complexity of the underlying biological and physical systems precludes a reductionist approach to management. Optimum levels of exploitation must be determined by trial and error. (iv) Large levels of natural variability mask the effects of overexploitation. Initial overexploitation is not detectable until it is severe and often irreversible.

Human Domination of Earth's Ecosystems

1997-07-25

Peter M. Vitousek , Harold A. Mooney , Jane Lubchenco +1 more

Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has … Human alteration of Earth is substantial and growing. Between one-third and one-half of the land surface has been transformed by human action; the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has increased by nearly 30 percent since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution; more atmospheric nitrogen is fixed by humanity than by all natural terrestrial sources combined; more than half of all accessible surface fresh water is put to use by humanity; and about one-quarter of the bird species on Earth have been driven to extinction. By these and other standards, it is clear that we live on a human-dominated planet.

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Growth in global materials use, GDP and population during the 20th century

2009-06-11

Fridolin Krausmann , Simone Gingrich , Nina Eisenmenger +3 more

Depletion of fossil fuels and anthropogenic climate change—A review

2012-11-08

Mikael Höök , Xu Tang

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Sustainable biochar to mitigate global climate change

2010-08-10

Dominic Woolf , James E. Amonette , F. Alayne Street‐Perrott +2 more

Production of biochar (the carbon (C)-rich solid formed by pyrolysis of biomass) and its storage in soils have been suggested as a means of abating climate change by sequestering carbon, … Production of biochar (the carbon (C)-rich solid formed by pyrolysis of biomass) and its storage in soils have been suggested as a means of abating climate change by sequestering carbon, while simultaneously providing energy and increasing crop yields. Substantial uncertainties exist, however, regarding the impact, capacity and sustainability of biochar at the global level. In this paper we estimate the maximum sustainable technical potential of biochar to mitigate climate change. Annual net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide could be reduced by a maximum of 1.8 Pg CO2-C equivalent (CO2-Ce) per year (12% of current anthropogenic CO2-Ce emissions; 1 Pg=1 Gt), and total net emissions over the course of a century by 130 Pg CO2-Ce, without endangering food security, habitat or soil conservation. Biochar has a larger climate-change mitigation potential than combustion of the same sustainably procured biomass for bioenergy, except when fertile soils are amended while coal is the fuel being offset. The storage in soils of biochar, the product of biomass pyrolysis, has been proposed as an attractive option to mitigate climate change. Amonette and co-workers model the potential impact of biochar and find that it could eliminate more carbon from the atmosphere than using the same biomass for biofuel.

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The trajectory of the Anthropocene: The Great Acceleration

2015-01-16

Will Steffen , Wendy Broadgate , Lisa Deutsch +2 more

The ‘Great Acceleration’ graphs, originally published in 2004 to show socio-economic and Earth System trends from 1750 to 2000, have now been updated to 2010. In the graphs of socio-economic … The ‘Great Acceleration’ graphs, originally published in 2004 to show socio-economic and Earth System trends from 1750 to 2000, have now been updated to 2010. In the graphs of socio-economic trends, where the data permit, the activity of the wealthy (OECD) countries, those countries with emerging economies, and the rest of the world have now been differentiated. The dominant feature of the socio-economic trends is that the economic activity of the human enterprise continues to grow at a rapid rate. However, the differentiated graphs clearly show that strong equity issues are masked by considering global aggregates only. Most of the population growth since 1950 has been in the non-OECD world but the world’s economy (GDP), and hence consumption, is still strongly dominated by the OECD world. The Earth System indicators, in general, continued their long-term, post-industrial rise, although a few, such as atmospheric methane concentration and stratospheric ozone loss, showed a slowing or apparent stabilisation over the past decade. The post-1950 acceleration in the Earth System indicators remains clear. Only beyond the mid-20th century is there clear evidence for fundamental shifts in the state and functioning of the Earth System that are beyond the range of variability of the Holocene and driven by human activities. Thus, of all the candidates for a start date for the Anthropocene, the beginning of the Great Acceleration is by far the most convincing from an Earth System science perspective.

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The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power

1991-09-01

Earl N. Harbert , Daniel Yergin

Written by the author of Shattered Peace and Energy Future, this book tells the history of oil and the struggle for wealth and power that always surrounds it. As much … Written by the author of Shattered Peace and Energy Future, this book tells the history of oil and the struggle for wealth and power that always surrounds it. As much a history of the modern world as of the oil industry, the book reveals oil's critical role in world events, from Japan's attack on Pearl Harbour to the Suez Crisis, from Yom Kippur to the Gulf War. The book includes the story of Shell Oil, a company forged in defiance of the Standard Oil monopoly by an upstart London trader, using Rothchild connections, Russian oil and Dutch petrolium concession in the East Indies, and the inside story of the discovery of North Sea Oil and its crucial role in undermining the OPEC monopoly. The book is a TV tie-in edition with the major eight-part BBC TV series.

The geology of mankind? A critique of the Anthropocene narrative

2014-01-07

Andreas Malm , Alf Hornborg

The Anthropocene narrative portrays humanity as a species ascending to power over the rest of the Earth System. In the crucial field of climate change, this entails the attribution of … The Anthropocene narrative portrays humanity as a species ascending to power over the rest of the Earth System. In the crucial field of climate change, this entails the attribution of fossil fuel combustion to properties acquired during human evolution, notably the ability to manipulate fire. But the fossil economy was not created nor is it upheld by humankind in general. This intervention questions the use of the species category in the Anthropocene narrative and argues that it is analytically flawed, as well as inimical to action. Intra-species inequalities are part and parcel of the current ecological crisis and cannot be ignored in attempts to understand it.

The Future of Energy Supply: Challenges and Opportunities

2006-11-17

Nicola Armaroli , Vincenzo Balzani

Graphical Abstract Energy for everybody? The ever increasing world energy demand cannot be satisfied much longer with fossil fuels; alternatives are required to limit the chance of a climate collapse … Graphical Abstract Energy for everybody? The ever increasing world energy demand cannot be satisfied much longer with fossil fuels; alternatives are required to limit the chance of a climate collapse and the spreading of wars for natural resources. The 21st century will be largely defined by the way we face and resolve the energy crisis. This is an intricate and fascinating scientific challenge, in which chemistry will play a fundamental role, and also an unprecedented opportunity to shape a more peaceful world.

Complex Life Cycles

1980-11-01

Henry M. Wilbur

The Anthropocene: conceptual and historical perspectives

2011-01-31

Will Steffen , Jacques Grinevald , Paul J. Crutzen +1 more

The human imprint on the global environment has now become so large and active that it rivals some of the great forces of Nature in its impact on the functioning … The human imprint on the global environment has now become so large and active that it rivals some of the great forces of Nature in its impact on the functioning of the Earth system. Although global-scale human influence on the environment has been recognized since the 1800s, the term Anthropocene, introduced about a decade ago, has only recently become widely, but informally, used in the global change research community. However, the term has yet to be accepted formally as a new geological epoch or era in Earth history. In this paper, we put forward the case for formally recognizing the Anthropocene as a new epoch in Earth history, arguing that the advent of the Industrial Revolution around 1800 provides a logical start date for the new epoch. We then explore recent trends in the evolution of the Anthropocene as humanity proceeds into the twenty-first century, focusing on the profound changes to our relationship with the rest of the living world and on early attempts and proposals for managing our relationship with the large geophysical cycles that drive the Earth's climate system.

The Anthropocene: Are Humans Now Overwhelming the Great Forces of Nature

2007-12-01

Will Steffen , Paul J. Crutzen , John McNeill

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Global Energy Assessment: Toward a Sustainable Future

2012-10-01

Global Energy Assessment Writing Team

The Global Energy Assessment (GEA) brings together over 300 international researchers to provide an independent, scientifically based, integrated and policy-relevant analysis of current and emerging energy issues and options. It … The Global Energy Assessment (GEA) brings together over 300 international researchers to provide an independent, scientifically based, integrated and policy-relevant analysis of current and emerging energy issues and options. It has been peer-reviewed anonymously by an additional 200 international experts. The GEA assesses the major global challenges for sustainable development and their linkages to energy; the technologies and resources available for providing energy services; future energy systems that address the major challenges; and the policies and other measures that are needed to realize transformational change toward sustainable energy futures. The GEA goes beyond existing studies on energy issues by presenting a comprehensive and integrated analysis of energy chalenges, opportunities and strategies, for developing, industrialized and emerging economies. This volume is a invaluable resource for energy specialists and technologists in all sectors (academia, industry and government) as well as policymakers, development economists and practitioners in international organizations and national governments.

A low energy demand scenario for meeting the 1.5 °C target and sustainable development goals without negative emission technologies

2018-05-30

Arnulf Grübler , Charlie Wilson , Nuno Bento +7 more

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The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation

2019-01-31

Dolf Gielen , Francisco Boshell , Değer Saygin +3 more

This paper explores the technical and economic characteristics of an accelerated energy transition to 2050, using new datasets for renewable energy. The analysis indicates that energy efficiency and renewable energy … This paper explores the technical and economic characteristics of an accelerated energy transition to 2050, using new datasets for renewable energy. The analysis indicates that energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are the core elements of that transition, and their synergies are likewise important. Favourable economics, ubiquitous resources, scalable technology, and significant socio-economic benefits underpin such a transition. Renewable energy can supply two-thirds of the total global energy demand, and contribute to the bulk of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction that is needed between now and 2050 for limiting average global surface temperature increase below 2 °C. Enabling policy and regulatory frameworks will need to be adjusted to mobilise the six-fold acceleration of renewables growth that is needed, with the highest growth estimated for wind and solar PV technologies, complemented by a high level of energy efficiency. Still, to ensure the eventual elimination of carbon dioxide emissions will require new technology and innovation, notably for the transport and manufacturing sectors, which remain largely ignored in the international debate. More attention is needed for emerging infrastructure issues such as charging infrastructure and other sector coupling implications.

Sensitivity Analysis in Practice: A Guide to Assessing Scientific Models

2004-04-01

Andrea Saltelli , Stefano Tarantola , Francesca Campolongo +1 more

PREFACE. 1. A WORKED EXAMPLE. 1.1 A simple model. 1.2 Modulus version of the simple model. 1.3 Six--factor version of the simple model. 1.4 The simple model 'by groups'. 1.5 … PREFACE. 1. A WORKED EXAMPLE. 1.1 A simple model. 1.2 Modulus version of the simple model. 1.3 Six--factor version of the simple model. 1.4 The simple model 'by groups'. 1.5 The (less) simple correlated--input model. 1.6 Conclusions. 2. GLOBAL SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS FOR IMPORTANCE ASSESSMENT. 2.1 Examples at a glance. 2.2 What is sensitivity analysis? 2.3 Properties of an ideal sensitivity analysis method. 2.4 Defensible settings for sensitivity analysis. 2.5 Caveats. 3. TEST CASES. 3.1 The jumping man. Applying variance--based methods. 3.2 Handling the risk of a financial portfolio: the problem of hedging. Applying Monte Carlo filtering and variance--based methods. 3.3 A model of fish population dynamics. Applying the method of Morris. 3.4 The Level E model. Radionuclide migration in the geosphere. Applying variance--based methods and Monte Carlo filtering. 3.5 Two spheres. Applying variance based methods in estimation/calibration problems. 3.6 A chemical experiment. Applying variance based methods in estimation/calibration problems. 3.7 An analytical example. Applying the method of Morris. 4. THE SCREENING EXERCISE. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 The method of Morris. 4.3 Implementing the method. 4.4 Putting the method to work: an analytical example. 4.5 Putting the method to work: sensitivity analysis of a fish population model. 4.6 Conclusions. 5. METHODS BASED ON DECOMPOSING THE VARIANCE OF THE OUTPUT. 5.1 The settings. 5.2 Factors Prioritisation Setting. 5.3 First--order effects and interactions. 5.4 Application of Si to Setting 'Factors Prioritisation'. 5.5 More on variance decompositions. 5.6 Factors Fixing (FF) Setting. 5.7 Variance Cutting (VC) Setting. 5.8 Properties of the variance based methods. 5.9 How to compute the sensitivity indices: the case of orthogonal input. 5.9.1 A digression on the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST). 5.10 How to compute the sensitivity indices: the case of non--orthogonal input. 5.11 Putting the method to work: the Level E model. 5.11.1 Case of orthogonal input factors. 5.11.2 Case of correlated input factors. 5.12 Putting the method to work: the bungee jumping model. 5.13 Caveats. 6. SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS IN DIAGNOSTIC MODELLING: MONTE CARLO FILTERING AND REGIONALISED SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS, BAYESIAN UNCERTAINTY ESTIMATION AND GLOBAL SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS. 6.1 Model calibration and Factors Mapping Setting. 6.2 Monte Carlo filtering and regionalised sensitivity analysis. 6.2.1 Caveats. 6.3 Putting MC filtering and RSA to work: the problem of hedging a financial portfolio. 6.4 Putting MC filtering and RSA to work: the Level E test case. 6.5 Bayesian uncertainty estimation and global sensitivity analysis. 6.5.1 Bayesian uncertainty estimation. 6.5.2 The GLUE case. 6.5.3 Using global sensitivity analysis in the Bayesian uncertainty estimation. 6.5.4 Implementation of the method. 6.6 Putting Bayesian analysis and global SA to work: two spheres. 6.7 Putting Bayesian analysis and global SA to work: a chemical experiment. 6.7.1 Bayesian uncertainty analysis (GLUE case). 6.7.2 Global sensitivity analysis. 6.7.3 Correlation analysis. 6.7.4 Further analysis by varying temperature in the data set: fewer interactions in the model. 6.8 Caveats. 7. HOW TO USE SIMLAB. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 How to obtain and install SIMLAB. 7.3 SIMLAB main panel. 7.4 Sample generation. 7.4.1 FAST. 7.4.2 Fixed sampling. 7.4.3 Latin hypercube sampling (LHS). 7.4.4 The method of Morris. 7.4.5 Quasi--Random LpTau. 7.4.6 Random. 7.4.7 Replicated Latin Hypercube (r--LHS). 7.4.8 The method of Sobol'. 7.4.9 How to induce dependencies in the input factors. 7.5 How to execute models. 7.6 Sensitivity analysis. 8. FAMOUS QUOTES: SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS IN THE SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSE. REFERENCES. INDEX.

Productivity of the Ocean: Present and Past

1990-01-01

Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy

2005-03-31

George A. Olah

Methanol, a convenient liquid fuel and raw material for synthetic hydrocarbons, offers an alternative to depleting sources of fossil fuels and can be produced, for example, by reacting H2 with … Methanol, a convenient liquid fuel and raw material for synthetic hydrocarbons, offers an alternative to depleting sources of fossil fuels and can be produced, for example, by reacting H2 with CO2 from industrial effluents or the atmosphere—good news with regards to global-warming concerns. This Essay discusses various aspects of current and alternative energy sources, with a particular focus on the "methanol economy" (see scheme).

Investment in New Renewable Energy: Contributions to the Economy, Environment, and National Resilience

2025-06-25

Ali Sundja , Dwi Atty Mardiana , Eleonora Sofilda +1 more | International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy

Investment in renewable energy (RE) is significantly contributing to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy resilience. This economic growth is achieved by creating jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing … Investment in renewable energy (RE) is significantly contributing to economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy resilience. This economic growth is achieved by creating jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. Despite the significant RE potential in Indonesia, challenges such as pollution, limited infrastructure, and price fluctuations still hinder national independence. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the short-term and long-term relationships between renewable energy investment (REI) and economic growth, environmental sustainability, and resilience in Indonesia using the ARDL model and time series data from 2002 to 2022. Based on the analysis, the results showed that there was a significant cointegration relationship between the variables, suggesting the potential of REI to strengthen national resilience and support the transition to more sustainable energy. This study made an important contribution to understanding the dynamics of REI in Indonesia, providing policy recommendations to optimize economic and environmental benefits.

How Earth’s Workings Shape Agriculture

2025-06-24

| The MIT Press eBooks

Exergy and Exergoeconomic Analysis of the Gas Subcooled Process for the Brazilian Market: An Approach to Enhance Natural Gas Liquids Recovery

2025-06-24

Isidro Alejandro Argueta Flores , Ana Paula Meneguelo , Cintia Marangoni +2 more | ACS Omega

Enerji Ekonomisi Çalışmaları 1

2025-06-24

Adem Üzümcü , Nur Koç , Bülent Okan Yıldız +5 more | Özgür Yayınları eBooks

Enerji hayatın temel döngüsü içerisinde yer alan, üretim ve tüketim sürecinde önemli bir aktördür. Sanayi Devrimiyle birlikte buharlı makineler ve çeşitli teknolojik gelişmeler enerji alanında önemli bir mihenk taşı olarak … Enerji hayatın temel döngüsü içerisinde yer alan, üretim ve tüketim sürecinde önemli bir aktördür. Sanayi Devrimiyle birlikte buharlı makineler ve çeşitli teknolojik gelişmeler enerji alanında önemli bir mihenk taşı olarak yerini almıştır. Bu itibarla tarihsel süreç içerisinde enerji ekonomisi önemini giderek hissettirmiştir ve disiplinler arasında kendini ayrı konumlandırmıştır. Enerji Ekonomisi Çalışmaları serisinin ilki olan “Enerji Ekonomisi Çalışmaları 1” adlı bu eser, enerji ekonomisi alanında yapılan güncel akademik çalışmaları bir araya getirerek okuyuculara hem teoride hem de uygulamada geniş bir perspektif kazandırmayı amaçlıyor. Enerji Ekonomisi Çalışmaları 1 kitabı; bankacılık sektöründe enerji ekonomisinden, hidrojen ekonomisine, elektrik tüketiminden akıllı enerjiye, enerji tüketiminden iktisadi büyüme ve gelir dağılımına kadar enerjiyle ilgili güncel ve dikkat çekici konu başlıklarını içermektedir. Kitap, enerji ekonomisine ilgi duyan herkes için kapsamlı ve disiplinler arası bir kaynak niteliği taşımaktadır. Bu değerli esere; Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli Üniversitesi, Atatürk Üniversitesi, Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi, İzmir Katip Çelebi Üniversitesi, Kastamonu Üniversitesi ve Ordu Üniversitesi'nden toplam sekiz farklı yazar katkı sunmuştur. Alanlarında uzman bu araştırmacıların ve akademisyenlerin özgün çalışmaları, kitabı daha da zengin ve anlamlı kılmıştır. Kitapta yer alan bölümler şunlardır: “Enerji Tüketimi, İktisadi Büyüme ve Gelir Dağılımı İlişkisi: E-7 Ülkeleri Üzerine Bir Analiz” - Prof. Dr. Adem Üzümcü ve Araştırma Görevlisi Nur Koç “Türkiye’nin Hidrojen Ekonomisine Geçişi: Yenilenebilir Enerji Potansiyeli, Jeopolitik Konum ve Lojistik Altyapı” - Doç. Dr. Bülent Yıldız ve Doktora öğrencisi Oğuzhan Yavuz “Tüketimin Nabzı: Türkiye’de Elektrik Kullanımı, İşsizlik ve Enflasyon İlişkisi” - Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ufuk Işık “Smart Cities and Smart Energy: Living Spaces of The Future” - Doktora öğrencisi Halil Cem Teler ve Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Ş. Mustafa Ersungur “Bankacılık Sektöründe Enerji Ekonomisine Yönelik Olarak Yapılan Çalışmalar” - Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Esra Dursun Serinin ilk eserine katkı sağlayan tüm yazarlara ve bize bu imkânı sağlayan Özgür Yayınevi'ne ayrıca teşekkür ederim. Enerji Ekonomisi Çalışmaları serisi; akademisyenler, lisans/lisansüstü öğrenciler, enerji sektörü profesyonelleri, politika yapıcıları ve konuya ilgi duyan tüm okuyucular için bu alanda ses getirecek temel bir akademik başvuru kaynağı olmayı hedeflemektedir. Seri, bu ilk eserle ve gelecek ciltleriyle birlikte hedefleri doğrultusunda ilerlemeye devam edecektir.

World (Re)Ordering through Green Growth and Degrowth Futures

2025-06-23

Bruna Bosi-Moreira , Matthias Kranke | Bristol University Press eBooks

The Anthropocene, Climate Change and (Ecological) Security

2025-06-23

Matt McDonald | Bristol University Press eBooks

Planteimport – milliarder av «nisser på lasset»

2025-06-23

Marie L. Davey , Anders Endrestøl | Naturen

Offshore Geothermal Energy Perspectives: Hotspots and Challenges

2025-06-23

Paulo H. Gulelmo Souza , Alexandre Szklo | Resources

Geothermal energy is a low-carbon and reliable energy resource capable of generating both heat and electricity from the Earth’s internal thermal energy. While geothermal development has traditionally been focused on … Geothermal energy is a low-carbon and reliable energy resource capable of generating both heat and electricity from the Earth’s internal thermal energy. While geothermal development has traditionally been focused on onshore sites, offshore geothermal resources are attracting growing interest due to advancements in technology, the search for alternative baseload power, and the opportunity to repurpose decommissioned petroleum infrastructure. Recent efforts include utilizing abandoned oil and gas fields to adapt existing infrastructure for geothermal use, as well as exploring high-temperature geothermal zones such as submarine volcanoes and hotspots. Despite these initiatives, research output, scientific publications and patents remain relatively limited, suggesting that offshore geothermal technology is still in its early stages. Countries like Italy, Indonesia and Turkey are actively investigating geothermal resources in volcanic marine areas, while North Sea countries and the USA are assessing the feasibility of converting mature oil and gas fields into geothermal energy sites. These diverse strategies underscore the regional geological and infrastructure conditions in shaping development approaches. Although expertise from the oil and gas industry can accelerate technological progress in marine geothermal energy, economic challenges remain. Therefore, improving cost competitiveness is crucial for offshore geothermal energy.

Enhancing energy efficiency in decentralized systems: a comprehensive approach to renewable energy use

2025-06-23

Ruslan Akhambayev , Saulesh Minazhova , Amangeldy Bekbayev +2 more | Polityka Energetyczna – Energy Policy Journal

From Crisis to Policy Action: Tackling Climate Change Through SDG 13

2025-06-21

Hurriyet Babacan | The International Journal of Community and Social Development

This article investigates the critical barriers hindering progress on Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) and identifies enabling strategies to support collaborative, transformative responses essential for achieving sustainable development by … This article investigates the critical barriers hindering progress on Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG 13) and identifies enabling strategies to support collaborative, transformative responses essential for achieving sustainable development by 2030. Drawing on recent research and global frameworks, it discusses major challenges/gaps relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Climate change represents one of the most pressing global challenges of the twenty-first century, with visible impacts that include intensifying extreme weather events, ecosystem disruption and threats to human health and livelihoods. The scientific consensus, notably supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), affirms that human activities are the dominant drivers of global warming. These changes have led to more frequent and severe disasters, such as floods, droughts and wildfires, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in regions with low adaptive capacity. Beyond environmental effects, climate change also poses deep social and economic risks by exacerbating resource scarcity, undermining food systems and potentially fuelling conflict. In response, the United Nations established SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change by integrating climate measures into national policies, enhancing adaptive capacities and improving education and awareness. While international frameworks like the Paris Agreement offer a foundational road map, translating global ambitions into local action remains a significant challenge. Thus, it calls for a shift from incremental changes to systemic transformation and a just transition.

Renewable Energy Regions

2025-06-20

| Cambridge University Press eBooks

When did Lithuania Lose its Energy Independence? Primary Energy Consumption in Lithuania in 1927–1960 from the Viewpoint of the Economic History of Energy

2025-06-20

Zenonas Norkus , Aelita Ambrulevičiūtė | Lietuvos istorijos studijos

In the summer of 2024, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania approved the National Energy Independence Strategy which sets full energy independence as the long-term goal for Lithuania’s energy … In the summer of 2024, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania approved the National Energy Independence Strategy which sets full energy independence as the long-term goal for Lithuania’s energy development. This should be achieved in around 2050, when Lithuania is expected to become a net energy exporter. At the same time, Lithuania will have completed the second major energy transition: replacing fossil hydrocarbon energy sources with renewable energy sources. By using the methodology of the economic history of energy (Astrid Kander, Paolo Malanima, Paul Warde et al.), we answer the question of identifying when Lithuania lost its energy independence (i.e., we ask: when did the share of imported primary energy sources in their total consumption started exceeding the share of local sources)? We have also estimated when the first major energy transition in Lithuania reached a turning point (i.e., when the share of fossil hydrocarbon fuels in the total consumption of primary energy sources started exceeding the share of renewable energy sources).

Stopping Oil: Climate Justice and Hope

2025-06-19

Siti Zubaida , Adam Muhammad Syach | Capitalism Nature Socialism

In Conversation with Kevin Gallagher, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Santos

2025-06-19

Kevin Gallagher , Laura Jayes | Australian Energy Producers journal.

This In Conversation offers unparalleled access to one of the energy sector’s most influential leaders, providing an in-depth look at how Santos is navigating the complex intersection of energy innovation, … This In Conversation offers unparalleled access to one of the energy sector’s most influential leaders, providing an in-depth look at how Santos is navigating the complex intersection of energy innovation, climate policy, and regional energy security. Mr Gallagher will also offer his insights on what recent geopolitical developments and increased scrutiny on the global energy transition and climate goals mean for Australia and international energy markets. Don’t miss this candid conversation with Kevin Gallagher on his vision for Australia’s oil and gas sector and the opportunity for Australia to play a leading role in meeting our region’s energy needs. To view the video, click on the link to the right.

Energy Systems and Global Capitalism: Petromodernity, Abundance, the “Great Acceleration”

2025-06-19

Andrew Kettler | Environmental History

The Great Acceleration—the exponential growth of capital associated with a massive increase in fossil fuel use and chemical output after World War Two—has become a significant field of research among … The Great Acceleration—the exponential growth of capital associated with a massive increase in fossil fuel use and chemical output after World War Two—has become a significant field of research among scholars since J. R. McNeill coined the term early in the twenty-first century. The acceleration of economies during the “Golden Age of Capitalism” after World War Two coincided with fossil fuel production throughout the Global North and increasingly within developing spaces of the Global South. Such a capitalist golden age of both economic growth and climate change set the stage for neoliberalism to arrive in the 1970s and 1980s, alongside the associated dominance of positivist discourse that cemented favor upon the supposed necessity of constant economic growth. Prior to neoliberalism, governments were often successful at informing citizens of pollution and climate change enough to be able to regulate corporate excesses. However, capitalism finds in profit from fossil fuels and technological advancement of genomic manipulations in agriculture an extensive base for continuing to accelerate the modern economy. That base of production also includes vast manipulations of human consciousness and superstructural discourses related to denying populations access to simple understandings of environmental decline. Many of the later failures of governments to intervene against capital and properly inform citizens of environmental threat has led to the rise of artistic endeavors that attempt to monitor and expose the abuses of the environment by capital in hopes of defending the earth. Citizen movements have also risen to offer evidence of capitalist abuses that often relate to the right to breathe freely in a world where atmospheres are increasingly degraded. Numerous scholars have consequently also looked to the Global South, or applied theory from disadvantaged populations in the West, for ways of thinking about and narrating a better world outside of capitalist and associated governmental trajectories that continue to produce global warming. Part of the issue with critiquing capital in these manners, whether from artists, academics, postcolonial populations, or Western citizens, are the shifting debates on the definitions of pollution, fossil fuels, and the Anthropocene. To solve many of these issues, whether of discourse or the material changes creating existential environmental threat, many policy experts desire working within the world system, or accepting its manifestations often alongside capital, in attempting to solve the climate crisis. Numerous others, especially in radical academic settings, are pushing beyond the ideas of working with capital, or submitted to the reforms of a Green New Deal, as too mediated with environmental abusers, and instead articulate degrowth, radical ecosocialism, direct protest, and decarbonization as the pathways to resist the power of capital to continue to manifest climate change upon a world also facing increasing military threats due to rises in regional aridity, alterations in ocean currents, and concurrent scarcity.

Environmental Histories of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration and Development

2025-06-19

Stefan Huebner | Environmental History

Environmental histories of offshore oil and gas exploration date back to the nineteenth century, notably in the waters off Azerbaijan (Caspian Sea), in Ohio (Grand Lake St. Marys), off Southern … Environmental histories of offshore oil and gas exploration date back to the nineteenth century, notably in the waters off Azerbaijan (Caspian Sea), in Ohio (Grand Lake St. Marys), off Southern California (Pacific Ocean), and off West Japan (Japan Sea). In the first half of the twentieth century, the bayous of the Mississippi River delta in the United States emerged as a crucial offshore oil exploration region. The area’s stagnant or slow-moving waters encouraged continuous technological advances, leading to the first explorations in the bays of the US Gulf of Mexico in the 1930s. Simultaneously, oil companies applied exploration and exploitation technologies to regions with similar environmental conditions, including the calm, shallow waters of inland lakes, rivers, semi-enclosed bays (such as Lake Maracaibo), and certain oceanic coastlines. From the mid-twentieth century, offshore oil exploration intensified, driven by increasing global oil demand, energy security concerns rooted in the tremendous importance of oil during World War II, and changes in the Law of the Sea. In 1945, US president Harry S. Truman’s unilateral proclamation annexed the continental shelf (the extension of the continental landmass beneath relatively shallow waters) adjacent to the United States’ terrestrial territory. Subsequent unilateral proclamations by other countries and international negotiations at three Law of the Sea conferences between 1958 and 1982 substantially extended coastal states’ judicial control over oil and gas development, establishing exclusive economic zones that reach up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) into the ocean and cover about 39 percent of it. Currently, some states are working on projects to increase this range through “extended continental shelves,” up to a maximum of 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers). Offshore oil production rapidly increased, and by the 2010s about one-third of total oil production occurred offshore. From the 1970s, the commercial use of natural gas also grew. Previously, natural gas was often flared or vented as a byproduct of drilling due to the uneconomic nature of its transportation to land, and this practice continues in some marine regions today. Multiple regions remained or became important sites of offshore oil and gas extraction as exploration and production technologies reached increasingly deeper waters. These regions include the Gulf of Mexico; Pacific waters off California, Alaska, and Canada; Atlantic waters off Brazil, Canada, and West Africa; Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela; the North Sea; the Persian Gulf; the Caspian Sea; East and Southeast Asian waters; and waters off Australia and New Zealand. However, research coverage is uneven, with most environmental histories focused on North America, the North Sea, and, to a lesser extent, West Africa. Generally, the number of environmental histories of offshore oil and gas regions is very low. Many 20th-century environmental histories of the ocean, coastal countries, energy transitions, or oil drilling have noteworthy deficits due to neglecting the topic. In environmental and oceanic histories, offshore oil and gas exploration extends far beyond high-profile topics like disasters, pollution (including noise and nighttime light), and accidents, whose importance is undisputed. Offshore oil and gas exploration has strongly impacted marine biomass and biodiversity, as platforms function as artificial reefs or translocate marine species between different bioregions, potentially causing bioinvasions. Platforms also exemplify adaptation to unstable, liquid environments, creating largely stationary human habitats above the sea surface and new submerged habitats for marine species below. Offshore oil and gas production has also created spatial competition with other marine industries, such as fisheries, but has led to an advancement of technology that fostered the development of new industries, including offshore rocket launches, offshore wind turbines, massive fish farms, floating photovoltaics, and ongoing plans for floating urban structures as a transformative adaptation to sea level rise and flooding. Consequently, offshore oil and gas drilling has become a pivotal element of the history of the oceanic Anthropocene, the human-caused changes in biogeophysical and biogeochemical processes leading, for example, to climate change and ocean warming, and their local manifestations, as shown in “Asia’s Oceanic Anthropocene: How Political Elites and Global Offshore Oil Development Moved Asian Marine Spaces into the New Epoch” (cited under Offshore Energy Transitions, Technology, and New Spatial Configurations).

Session 1. Oral Presentation for: Energy transition and emissions reductions – some inconvenient truths

2025-06-19

Martin Wilkes | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 27 May 2025: Session 1 Global energy demand is still increasing as the world’s population continues to grow and urbanisation continues in developing countries. Renewable energy has made … Presented on 27 May 2025: Session 1 Global energy demand is still increasing as the world’s population continues to grow and urbanisation continues in developing countries. Renewable energy has made swift progress, with wind and solar power (variable renewable energy sources) increasing at a rapid rate and now making up a significant proportion of power generation in many developed countries. However, other forms of low emissions energy production and emission reduction technologies have not developed as quickly, meaning that fossil fuel use also continues to increase in order to meet the increasing demand for energy, and, as a result, carbon dioxide emissions have also continued to increase. Against this backdrop, many countries have committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and their dependence on fossil fuels with most large emitting countries now committing to ‘net zero’ targets sometime in the second half of this century. But global emissions are still increasing. Why are emissions still increasing and how are we balancing the increasingly complex story of meeting increasing energy demand with reducing emissions? What is required to get to net zero, and are we on a pathway to achieve this goal? This paper and presentation will investigate progress to date, identifying both successes and challenges, highlighting ‘easy’ options to reduce emissions and pointing out some lesser-known facts about the changes in energy consumption that will be required. Along the way we hope to expose some underlying myths and misconceptions and highlight some inconvenient truths about emissions reduction and the potential pathways to net zero. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Session 4. Oral Presentation for: Navigating and leading corporate strategy amid energy transition uncertainty

2025-06-19

Olga Savenkova | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 27 May 2025: Session 4 Long-term planning has become increasingly challenging for oil and gas players as uncertainty mounts over the future of energy systems. Viewing the future … Presented on 27 May 2025: Session 4 Long-term planning has become increasingly challenging for oil and gas players as uncertainty mounts over the future of energy systems. Viewing the future through the lens of different scenarios is one potential solution, but to maintain stable project pipelines, companies must continuously make investment decisions and land on specific macro parameters. To be more agile in a time of uncertainty, some companies are shortening their guidance horizon and prioritising projects with shorter payback periods. The uncertainty surrounding the future of energy markets is greater than ever, and long-term forecasts provide limited clarity on where the markets and different players are heading with their energy transition plans. For any corporate strategy to succeed, it must reflect the external market environment while being agile enough to mobilise internal synergies when markets change, new risks emerge and opportunities arise. At the same time, it should leverage company’s strengths and legacy experience to maximise the value of its contributions. In this paper, we explore a wide range of new key performance indicators that must be integrated into the decision-making process to understand the most relevant market positioning for oil and gas companies’ transformation strategies, including those of Australian players. We examine the progress being made and where there is room for improvement. These new key performance indicators can be categorised into three pillars of the oil and gas energy transition: resilience of supply, decarbonisation and diversification. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Session 24. Oral Presentation for: Biofuels in the energy transition: bridging the gap between oil and gas and sustainable energy

2025-06-19

P. Wilson | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 29 May 2025: Session 24 Biofuels are increasingly recognised as crucial to decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, including automotive, aviation and maritime transport. As these sectors move beyond fossil fuels, … Presented on 29 May 2025: Session 24 Biofuels are increasingly recognised as crucial to decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, including automotive, aviation and maritime transport. As these sectors move beyond fossil fuels, biofuels present a viable pathway to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring energy security. This paper explores the strategic role of biofuels in the energy transition, focussing on their integration into the oil and gas (O&G) sector. Special attention is paid to advanced biofuels, which use second generation feedstocks such as agricultural residues and waste products, thus minimising competition with food production and promoting a clean circular economy in fuel production. The analysis examines significant developments in the O&G sector, such as implementing sustainable aviation fuel blending mandates and converting traditional refineries into biorefineries to produce biodiesel and renewable diesel. Leading companies, including Chevron, BP and Neste, are spearheading these initiatives, with projects such as Chevron’s Richmond facility serving as a model for the sector’s sustainable transformation. Despite these advances, the widespread adoption of biofuels faces challenges related to the availability and scalability of feedstock. This paper discusses how a collaborative approach between the oil and gas and agricultural sectors, supported by research, infrastructure and economies of scale investments, can overcome these barriers. The paper highlights the potential of biofuels to become a cornerstone of the oil and gas sector’s sustainable future. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R02: Application of data analytics models to support LNG plant energy efficiency improvements

2025-06-19

Matthew Ladner , Qi Chu | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R02 The Woodside-operated Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) is a large-scale integrated gas production system located in Karratha, Western Australia. Producing liquefied natural gas (LNG), domestic gas, … Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R02 The Woodside-operated Karratha Gas Plant (KGP) is a large-scale integrated gas production system located in Karratha, Western Australia. Producing liquefied natural gas (LNG), domestic gas, condensate and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through five LNG processing trains; two domestic gas trains; six condensate stabilisation units and three LPG fractionation units. Woodside actively pursues opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in operations, including the use of data analytics techniques to inform our operations teams on plant energy efficiency optimisation. Two examples of data analytics application in LNG plant energy efficiency optimisation are presented: (1) power generation config explorer – an analytical and logic solver model with ‘now-casting’ capability and (2) a live plant-wide energy efficiency metric with built-in thermodynamic calculation functionality. The power generation config explorer tool is an advisory application which provides a recommended operation config (number of generators and type) to meet operational constraints, maximise energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. The tool uses machine learning techniques to overcome the challenge of predicting reactive power in a complex alternating current (AC) power network and a logic solver to mimic advanced process control behaviour. Core to energy management is accurate measurement of energy consumption and energy production. The conversion of LNG product ‘in-tank’ to an energy equivalent basis is a common challenge due to the need to correct for boil-off gas losses. A data analytics approach has been applied using live plant data integrated with thermodynamic equation of state calculation and numerical optimisation methods to account for heat losses and other uncertainties. To access the Visual Presentation click on the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R03: Analysing the carbon intensity of Australian LNG and implications on its role in Asia’s energy transition

2025-06-19

Steffi Teo | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R03 With the energy transition underway, it is imperative for producers to develop a comprehensive understanding of the emissions landscape and viable abatement opportunities within the … Emissions Reduction Visual Presentation R03 With the energy transition underway, it is imperative for producers to develop a comprehensive understanding of the emissions landscape and viable abatement opportunities within the Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) value chain to navigate both environmental responsibilities and market competitiveness. By leveraging S&P Global Commodity Insights’ emissions datasets, this paper will examine existing Australian LNG projects and provide insight on how well-to-tank emissions characteristics vary depending on the carbon intensity profile of the source, before evaluating how and where producers should strategically invest in emissions abatement to effectively decarbonise production. This paper will also examine how market and policy trends may impact cost considerations and the extent of carbon exposure faced by producers, before discussing the carbon competitiveness of Australian LNG relative to counterparts in the regional energy transition. To access the Visual Presentation click on the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Session 21. Oral Presentation for: Mixed commercial arts: the future of LNG pricing indexations in Asia

2025-06-19

Kaushal Ramesh | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 28 May 2025: Session 21 This presentation will discuss potential pricing strategies for liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales into Asia. Currently oil-linked contracts make up approximately 85% of … Presented on 28 May 2025: Session 21 This presentation will discuss potential pricing strategies for liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales into Asia. Currently oil-linked contracts make up approximately 85% of all contract volumes for delivery into Asia, carried over from legacy pricing preferences of projects within the Asia–Pacific Basin or the Middle East. The rise of the Henry Hub contract has been a positive disruptor of this trend, and the volatility of the past 3 years, as well as the forward curve of the next 2 years shows the full cost of Henry Hub linked volumes come in below Asian spot price indexation, massively increasing the appeal of the US benchmark in Asia. Our data shows the influence of the Henry Hub will increase materially over the coming years (on account of the pre-final investment decision pipeline being concentrated in North America), potentially making up over 25% of all LNG contracted to Asia by 2030. Faced with the dilemma of choosing a variety of indexations offered by portfolio players, we use Rystad Energy’s Energy Transition research to discuss the competitiveness of different indexations under a range of oil prices, with important implications for expiring and new Australian LNG contracts. The divergence of long-term views on oil-pricing will also keep oil-linkage relevant in Asia for the foreseeable future, although in the event of massive differences from spot LNG prices, we could see risk of more pricing disputes, ‘joker’ amendments to price review clauses, the resurgence of cap and floor prices, and a potentially permanent move towards hub linkage. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Session 11. Oral Presentation for: Decoding decarbonisation: navigating emerging market dynamics in the Australian gas supply industry

2025-06-19

Craig Henderson | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 28 May 2025: Session 11 This paper provides practical guidance for stakeholders navigating the complex energy transition, with a focus on the role of low-carbon gases. It offers … Presented on 28 May 2025: Session 11 This paper provides practical guidance for stakeholders navigating the complex energy transition, with a focus on the role of low-carbon gases. It offers a structured framework for understanding the key challenges and actionable steps needed to move towards a decarbonised energy system. The paper identifies five core knowledge areas that are essential for guiding the energy transition and emphasises the importance of collaboration and trust in overcoming challenges. The knowledge areas emerge via intersecting the strategic drivers of key stakeholders – energy suppliers, users and governments – each of whom play a nuanced role in shaping the transition. The primary challenge lies in reconciling established business models with the urgent need for decarbonisation, a shift that often requires increased risk exposure for potentially lower short-term returns. Key insights include the competition between decarbonised options and incumbent energy sources, such as the growing dominance of electrification in certain sectors and the ongoing role of carbon capture in hard-to-abate industries. The paper highlights the importance of risk-sharing partnerships, particularly drawn from the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-to-power value chain, and emphasises how government policies can stimulate market growth, despite the challenges posed by slow policy change. A ‘next action’ mindset is proposed to simplify the complexity of the transition, with actionable steps to clarify feasibility, reduce costs, develop robust business cases, build partnerships, and align expectations with broader policy goals. Through this framework, stakeholders can foster innovation, creativity and trust, positioning themselves effectively in the evolving energy market. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Session 27. Oral Presentation for: Corporate strategies for a new energy transition outlook: advantage Australia?

2025-06-19

Andrew Harwood | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Presented on 29 May 2025: Session 27 Corporate strategies are adapting to a new energy transition outlook. A likely longer runway for oil and gas demand presents companies with a … Presented on 29 May 2025: Session 27 Corporate strategies are adapting to a new energy transition outlook. A likely longer runway for oil and gas demand presents companies with a capital allocation dilemma. With investors seeking sustainable returns, how is the industry balancing near-term upstream reinvestment while planning next-decade strategies? The core upstream business remains the engine of financial resilience. Disciplined investment, in advantaged resource themes, will generate the stable, long-life cash flows that can support growth in new areas and maintain shareholder returns. Building a long-life, low-risk, high-margin portfolio is the current goal. A pivot to gas, decarbonisation and the build-out of material low carbon businesses will however remain a long-term objective. Australia’s upstream sector has a critical role in the portfolios of several global, and local, oil and gas players. A major global supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), rising domestic gas demand and a welcoming regulatory environment for low-carbon investments gives Australia several advantages when seeking to attract investment. But how much ‘advantage’ does Australia provide the key oil and gas players that dominate its oil and gas industry? This paper will set out to identify the key corporate strategies being employed in today’s energy environment, the themes driving resilient and sustainable portfolios, and how Australia’s supports these efforts for the world’s, and Australia’s, largest oil and gas companies. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Markets Visual Presentation M03: From export giant to import dependent: Australia’s paradoxical gas investment climate

2025-06-19

Krishan Pal Birda | Australian Energy Producers journal.

Markets Visual Presentation M03 This paper examines the paradoxical investment landscape of Australia’s oil and gas sector, where abundant resources and favourable market conditions coexist with a reluctance to invest. … Markets Visual Presentation M03 This paper examines the paradoxical investment landscape of Australia’s oil and gas sector, where abundant resources and favourable market conditions coexist with a reluctance to invest. Despite being the world’s second-largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter as of 2024, at approximately 82 mtpa, Australia faces the prospect of importing LNG to meet domestic demand. The country possesses an estimated 170 Tcf of discovered gas resources, yet nearly half remains undeveloped. The nation’s onshore domestic gas processing infrastructure, boasting a nameplate capacity of nearly 3900 million cubic feet per day (MMcfpd), operates at less than 50% utilisation – a figure projected to decline even as domestic gas shortages loom. These factors coupled with the high domestic gas prices should logically drive investment; however, Australia’s upstream sector continues to struggle. The paper explores the complex challenges deterring investment, including long-term demand and policy uncertainty, the ongoing era of monetary tightening, and a decline in financing for fossil fuel projects. Additionally, regulatory hurdles such as approval delays, updated decommissioning regulations that include trailing liabilities, environmental and legal challenges, and the safeguard mechanism further complicate the investment landscape. These factors tend to disproportionately affect smaller players, who lack the economies of scale to absorb additional overheads. This paper aims to analyse the complexities of Australia’s upstream investment climate and offer potential solutions. It draws on case studies from countries that have successfully navigated similar challenges and where companies, having found more favourable investment opportunities elsewhere, chose not to return. To access the Visual Presentation click on the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Keynote Panel: Hitting the gas | Keeping net zero within reach

2025-06-19

Gillian Cagney , Rachael Risucci , Tony Wood +2 more | Australian Energy Producers journal.

The global pathway to achieving net zero by 2050 is narrowing, as global emissions continue to rise and major economies recalibrate their climate commitments. In Australia, public debate on the … The global pathway to achieving net zero by 2050 is narrowing, as global emissions continue to rise and major economies recalibrate their climate commitments. In Australia, public debate on the cost and trade-offs of achieving net zero by 2050 remains polarised amid rising energy costs and reliability concerns. Natural gas and carbon capture, utlisation and storage (CCUS) are essential for reaching net zero yet largely remain sidelined in Australia’s energy and climate policies. This panel will explore what recent global developments mean for Australia’s net zero pathway and the oil and gas industry’s role in getting net zero back on track. To view the video, click on the link to the right.

An Exergy-Based “Degree of Sustainability”: Definition, Derivation, and Examples of Application

2025-06-18

Enrico Sciubba | Sustainability

The work presented in this paper is a contribution to the practical implementation of the “sustainability” concept, which is tightly connected with “resource thriftiness”, i.e., with reduction in the anthropic … The work presented in this paper is a contribution to the practical implementation of the “sustainability” concept, which is tightly connected with “resource thriftiness”, i.e., with reduction in the anthropic extraction of the irreplaceable supplies of fossil materials—ores and fuels—contained in the Earth’s crust. The saving is tied with “environmental conservation”, which is another concept embedded in the definition of sustainability. This paper starts from the assumption that the best measure of “resource consumption” is the total equivalent primary exergy extracted from the biosphere. The question is, then, while it is evidently correct to include social, ethical, and monetary matters into the definition of “sustainability”, what about the required resource consumption? To answer this question, the dynamic balances of a society represented as a thermodynamic system were examined to show that a “sustainable state” can be reached under two necessary conditions: first, the supply must consist only of renewable resources; and, second, the rate of such a supply must be higher than a certain threshold that can be attributed a physical significance. The procedure outlined in this paper leads to a rigorous definition of a society’s “thermodynamical degree of sustainability”, which is based solely on the primary renewable and non-renewable exergy inputs, as well as on the final exergy consumption. Some examples of applications to industrialized and non-industrialized countries are also presented and discussed.

Techno-economic analysis of hydrogen transport via repurposed natural gas pipelines: Flow dynamics and infrastructure tradeoffs

2025-06-18

Jai Krishna Sahith Sayani , Min Wang , Zhiwei Ma +3 more | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Assessing the environmental and economic impacts of the oyster life cycle under renewable energy expansion

2025-06-18

Yuhan Chen , Mengqi Han , Xiaohua Liu +3 more | Journal of Environmental Management