Last week at the UN’s global warming meeting in Indonesia, polar bear costumed activists passed out huge pieces of cake. They were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions. I wonder if they understand how their obsessive focus on Kyoto as the “only solution” hinders progress? […]
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The Annual Energy Forum recently hosted by MSU outlined the challenges of keeping carbon out of the atmosphere while supplying the energy people demand at prices they’re willing to pay. I came away convinced that geoengineering, i.e., the deliberate modification of the Earth’s environment, will receive ever more attention as the steep and unavoidable costs […]
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I write this during FREE’s second conference of the summer for federal judges. The first program focused on energy, while this one is on terrorism and civil society. The two seemingly distinct topics intersect as politicians opportunistically seek justifications to curry favors and further the interests of constituents and contributors. Exploiting fear of terrorism exemplifies […]
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Most Americans are conflicted and inconsistent regarding their energy preferences and priorities. They tell pollsters they want to stop global warming and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Yet they squeal bitterly when energy costs rise, balk at views spoiled by wind farms, are leery of nuclear power (the only alternative that can really make a […]
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I recently came across a flyer in the Maui paper on Hawaii’s “Solar Awareness Program.” However meritorious and well founded our concern about global warming, we should be alert to the potential for gaming the system. While I invest personal resources in solar and wind power, I worry when taxpayer funds are promised as inducements. […]
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Executives from the Australian firm of Babcock and Brown Infrastructure (BBI) are wondering why their offer to buy Northwestern Energy is generating such resistance. The explanation is simple: Montanans believe they’ve seen this movie before and they don’t like the ending. Here’s why. The company, based in the Sydney down under, raises ghosts from our […]
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Why is Iran risking so much in its quest for nuclear power? Iran’s government claims nuclear power is necessary given the domestic energy situation. The Bush administration declares this petroleum-rich state cannot possibly need nuclear power to meet domestic energy demands, and, thus, Iran’s push for nuclear power must have more nefarious ends. Is Iran […]
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Americans seem hardwired to believe problems can be solved. This classic “can do” approach often works — but alas not always. Some afflictions are persistent but manageable; we handle gravity and crab grass via rebar or Ronstar. Other problems, some extremely serious, should only be acknowledged and confronted, not wished away via purported solutions. Success […]
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The proposed construction of six new coal-fired power plants in Montana has citizens rightly concerned about the human and ecological risks posed by the mercury emissions of these new plants. Like all environmental issues, this one is scientifically complex and highly emotional. And unfortunately, there are no perfect solutions. Much of the problem is beyond […]
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Science is systematically reducing uncertainties regarding the causes and consequences of climate change. This is critical, for it helps us identify the tradeoffs we must make. It is irresponsible and naive to pretend they don’t exist or won’t be difficult. Crafting effective solutions begins with considering two questions. First, should we care about a warming […]
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