Issues NavigatorGlobal Challenges
Strategic RegionsDomestic DebatesTag cloudSee All Tags |
Global ChallengesEnergy SecurityOctober 6, 2008 | Avoiding the Worst-Case ScenarioEfforts to address carbon emissions must be undertaken with exigency. ++ Developing countries like China, India and Brazil are responsible for half of all carbon emissions worldwide; their output has doubled over the past two decades. ++ 8.47 …More October 6, 2008 | "Another Inconvenient Truth"Producing biofuels will further drain “the world’s most valuable, irreplaceable and finite natural resource: fresh water.” ++ For example, 9,000 gal. of water are needed to make just one gal. of diesel fuel; 666 gal. are used daily to …More September 30, 2008 | Obama Promises a Better Environmental FutureObama’s overall environmental record is shorter, but looks better than McCain’s. ++ Both want to use technology that is not ready and neither plan is as clear as it should be, but Obama wants to move the country away from oil …More September 29, 2008 | One Last Chance on EnergyCongress has failed to take any significant steps on an energy policy over the past year; in fact, it appears as if they’re backsliding. ++ “Drill, baby, drill” has become the mantra de jour, as partisan politics have rendered any …More September 17, 2008 | End the Blackmail of the Strong by the WeakOil prices have tripled in the last seven years and if they continue to rise, it may have profound political consequences. ++ Oil-consuming nations shouldn’t become hostages of the oil-producing countries – they must …More September 15, 2008 | US Should Reduce its Dependence on OilMcCain’s campaign is turning everything into a cultural wedge issue - including energy policy. ++ Republicans who favor the exploitation of more and more oil ignore the need for an energy policy that diminishes the US dependence on this …More September 10, 2008 | Russia and Venezuela are Threatening US WatersMonday, Russia agreed to joint naval exercises with Venezuela and is making its first major maneuvers off US waters since the Cold War. ++ It is not widely recognized, but the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal are vital …More September 9, 2008 | A Tug-of-War Over AzerbaijanIt is no accident that Dick Cheney visited Azerbaijan last week. ++ Azerbaijan is a core east-west transit country for oil and natural gas. ++ Their pipelines provide energy to Europe, support former Soviet republics, and help keep oil money away from …More September 9, 2008 | Uniting Brussels for Future SecurityWhile some have argued that the recent summit in Brussels proved ineffective, the Georgia crisis has actually drawn the member states closer together. ++ As Europe proceeds, there are important objectives to keep in mind. ++ Europe must focus on …More September 3, 2008 | The World Needs a Third Industrial RevolutionAlexander Ochs: This policy report examines the twin challenges of climate change and energy security for the US and Germany, focusing on the third industrial revolution – the revolution that has to occur to transform our current combustion engine-based societies into an energy-efficient and climate friendly world. …More August 25, 2008 | The European Union Needs TurkeyLeah Fenwick: The EU is competing with other countries for Turkey as an energy transit hub. Giving Turkey membership in the EU would not only enhance the economic and political stability of the country, but would also ensure a much needed energy infrastructure for the EU. …More August 18, 2008 | Central Europe's Energy Security SchismRyan R. Miller: Central European countries are, on balance, divided, not united, when it comes to Russian energy supply dominance. Washington should find ways to step up its involvement and combat both the symptoms of Central Europe’s energy security ‘schism’ as well as the disease itself. …More August 15, 2008 | The World Needs an "Arctic Authority"The Arctic Circle contains 13 percent of the world’s untapped oil supplies. ++ But a clash of interests between businesses, NGOs, and the five different governments who claim rights to the region’s energy resources is likely to cause a …More August 13, 2008 | Georgia in NATO Will be the Best RevengeFor democracy in Georgia to last, Georgians need to feel we have their backs; the West must impose tough economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia. ++ This conflict demonstrates impotency of the global security order. ++ The West must show …More August 7, 2008 | Working Toward an Electricity EconomyHeinrich Bonnenberg: The need to reduce CO2 emissions, manage price increases, and deal with resource shortages is causing the energy economy to change. Electricity should eventually replace oil and gas. Nuclear power will have to play an increasingly important role in the new electricity economy. …More August 1, 2008 | The Next Big Project for the EU is EnergyMichaele Schreyer and Ralf Fuecks: Current energy crisis poses a significant threat to international economic and political stability. The current make-up of the EU is ill-equipped to deal with this challenge. The Union urgently needs an institutional reform: a European Community for Renewable Energy which would transform its economy into an energy-efficient system. …More July 28, 2008 | It is Time to Create a Global Energy AgencyWe only have a few decades before world’s oil supplies start to run out and we have to use that time wisely to develop long-term solutions to the world’s energy needs. ++ To achieve that, the world needs a global energy institution …More July 24, 2008 | "The Good News About Energy"The tendency to use cleaner, lower carbon fuels is gathering speed without mandates or subsidies. ++ Indeed, the necessity to adapt infrastructure and emerging economies’ use of whatever their indigenous resources to industrialize means the process …More July 24, 2008 | Buying Ourselves Into PovertyThomas Speckmann: Despite plans for a common foreign and security policy, bilateral agreements still largely prevail in Europe when it comes to energy policy. More than ever before, Europe needs a common energy foreign policy. Without this kind of special-interest politics, Europe will remain a tiger without teeth. …More July 21, 2008 | Gore Calls for Carbon-Free Electric PowerFormer Vice President Al Gore said that Americans must abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels within a decade. ++ Although his engagement against global warming is well known, Gore argued in this speech that the reasons for …More July 18, 2008 | Atomic Energy Will Never be a Green PanaceaBecause of climate change and the oil crisis, political leaders are reinforcing nuclear power. ++ Gordon Brown called for “a renaissance of nuclear power” in a “post-oil economy.” ++ Nonetheless, even our language fails when we try to …More July 14, 2008 | John McCloy Journalism Fellowship Report: Energy Insecurity in the EUDavid Francis: Germany is not only comfortable with Russia as an energy partner, it is comfortable with Russia as a strategic partner. This is at odds with the Bush administration, which views Russia with suspicion. Germany’s position has exposed an ideologically divide in Europe. …More July 10, 2008 | China's Growing Economy Might Bust the Oil BubbleEconomists are baffled why higher oil prices and higher demand has not lead to higher production. ++ The answer is: the “China bubble.” ++ Oil producing countries are leaving oil in the ground, in hopes that …More July 9, 2008 | America Must Not Drain its Wealth on OilAt current consumption rates, the US will spend over $10 trillion on oil imports over the next 10 years. ++ This will constitute the largest transfer of wealth in human history. ++ The only alternative is homegrown energy. ++ Between …More July 2, 2008 | Recession Pushes the Planet Down the AgendaA recent Ipsos Mori poll suggests a gradual loss of interest in the issue of climate change. ++ The specter of recession intensifies political pressure to abandon green policies. ++ Governments try to save the economy and the planet at …More June 25, 2008 | India's Reluctance to US Nuclear Deal is DisarmingIndia’s domestic political squabbles are hindering its nuclear program with the US. ++ Afraid that scrupulous international monitoring would undermine India’s traditionally independent foreign policy, the Communist …More June 24, 2008 | No Easing of Global Oil PricesThe global energy summit meeting in Jidda (Saudi Arabia) had no easing effect on skyrocketing oil prices. ++ The oil exporting countries did not promise to increase oil output as only Saudi Arabia disposes of free capacities. ++ Yet the major …More June 24, 2008 | Using the Oil Shock to Prevent Climate ShockReducing the West’s dependence on fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East requires lowering reliance on this type of energy altogether. ++ Many governments are “doing their utmost to increase and subsidize supplies” but this is not …More June 23, 2008 | Russia Profits from the Iran Nuclear StandoffRyan R. Miller: The belief Russia will help the West ease tensions with Iran is wishful thinking. A compliant Iran would be Gazprom’s biggest competitor. Washington should offer the Mullahs EU energy markets in exchange for concessions on the nuclear issue and thus reduce European dependence on Russian energy. …More June 23, 2008 | Saudi Arabia's Oily SecretsSatisfying a UN request, Saudi Arabia has agreed to pump more oil. ++ Not so long ago, the Sheik would not open up the faucet for Bush. ++ The fact that if oil becomes unaffordable, markets will erode and customers will turn to alternatives, is the …More June 23, 2008 | Bribing Voters With a Populist Energy PolicyJohn McCain intends to subsidize domestic drilling and cut taxes to “free” the US of its dependence on foreign oil. ++ However, the basic rules of microeconomics doom this popular yet cynical energy policy to failure. ++ American …More June 19, 2008 | Natural Gas is Russia's New Weapon of ChoiceIn the 80s Ronald Reagan warned Europe about becoming dependent on Russian energy. ++ With Gazprom supplying over 40 percent of Germany’s natural gas, this prediction is becoming a reality. ++ A question for the future, is …More June 17, 2008 | A Green Chinese Energy and Environmental Policy?The 4th China-US Economic Dialogue will be held in the US this week. ++ The US and China can only win when cooperating in the energy and environment sector. ++ Chinese officials state they are working on reducing energy consumption …More June 12, 2008 | Expansion Does Not Solve NATO's DilemmaJens F. Laurson and George A. Pieler: NATO is trying to expand its military wing to more countries, which used to be “the enemy,” in its effort to secure its future. However, Europe’s reliance on imported oil should be considered before alienating exporters like Russia in the attempt of reinventing NATO’s aging alliance. …More June 11, 2008 | Bush Helps Saudis Go Nuclear, Who are we Securing?Bush is moving toward helping the Saudis develop a nuclear program under the guise of energy security. ++ Considering that Saudi Arabia bathes in oil and basks in sunlight, something is missing. ++ Adding a counterweight to …More June 10, 2008 | "The New World Energy Order"The future world energy order will have China, India, and Middle Eastern countries rather than OECD countries at its helm. ++ Conventional oil is likely to peak soon, and unconventional oil will then play an important role. ++ Since global oil …More June 5, 2008 | High Oil Prices Increase ConsumptionWhen “greenies” sing the praise of high oil prices, perhaps they are praying to a false god. ++ Science is yet to produce hard evidence for climate change. ++ Emissions reduction lobbyists are ridden with corruption, and left leaning …More May 29, 2008 | A New Cold War Heats Up the North PoleSparked by a recent Russian territory claim at the North Pole, a meeting has been called this week in Greenland over the future of the Arctic. ++ In the midst of a decade old rivalry, the US, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark have a huge …More May 29, 2008 | Missing Points in the Fuel Price DebateIn the current discussion about the response to high fuel prices one point was missed: the world is producing one barrel of oil for every three we consume. ++ Although the price of petrol has increased by 4.7% a year, in real terms the price …More May 29, 2008 | The Rise of the "Petro-Superpowers"Michael T. Klare: When the Cold War ended, it was generally assumed that the US would henceforth enjoy unchallenged preponderance. But today, military superiority no longer constitutes the decisive determinant of global paramountcy: energy has acquired unexpectedly vast significance. …More May 28, 2008 | Oil Prices Have Reached Their Break PointThere are three factors underlying the current rise in oil prices: rising global demand, increased costs for oil producers, and the relatively short time span in which supply has yet to adapt to these increased pressures. ++ Timely and …More May 28, 2008 | Oil and Defense Water Down Sino-Russian RelationsIn a series of recent talks, poignantly described as “bad dates,” Russian President Medvedev and Chinese President Hu Jintao were divided on issues concerning missile defense and energy resources. ++ Ready to elide …More May 27, 2008 | A Love/Hate Relationship: US Dollar and Oil PricesHigh oil prices are tied to a weak US dollar. ++ The single-currency pricing of the oil market means that in the long run, a weak dollar reduces production while simultaneously increasing consumption. ++ This increase in demand …More May 26, 2008 | Biofuel for ThoughtJ. F. Laurson & G. A. Pieler: Biofuels may be one of the dumber of the grand, well intentioned ideas of this decade. Yet they are here to stay, not just because of the farm communities in Brazil, Europe, and the US, but because of the Zeitgeist that says source-diversification is the Holy Grail of energy policy. …More May 23, 2008 | US Monetary Policy is Responsible for Price RisesUS Federal Reserve officials continue to insist that recent price increases have almost nothing to do with monetary policy. ++ Yet their claim that only global supply and demand for corn and oil are responsible for the soaring of …More May 22, 2008 | Iranian Oil Could Loosen Russia's Energy GripIran, which is the OPEC’s second’s largest exporter, has enough natural gas to alleviate Western Europe’s uncomfortable reliance on Russia’s energy exports. ++ Disputes over pipelines, political blocking, and …More May 21, 2008 | China's Energy Consumption Must be BridledChina’s recent need for energy resources has accelerated at an alarming rate. ++ US envoy to the Paris-based International Energy Association (IEA), Daniel S. Sullivan, maintains that China and India must join international …More May 20, 2008 | A Transatlantic Energy Security Strategy is EssentialRichard G. Lugar: We must forge a more productive relationship with Russia. The absence of a collective energy security strategy and the lack of supply diversification will lead to greater fragmentation among European nations and across the Atlantic. …More May 19, 2008 | Americans Will Live Like EuropeansOil prices keep setting records and many believe global oil production will soon peak. ++ American dependence on oil and the habit of driving large, gas-guzzling cars and living in suburbs without public transportation access will develop into a …More May 19, 2008 | Kiev Energy Summit: Slow Progress out of Russia's Fuel GraspMarek Swierczynski: One year since Poland launched key energy initiative that would decrease Central Europe’s fuel dependence from Russia, its results are less than impressive. But still declarations and documents seem much easier to prepare than pipelines, and soon new ones are to follow. …More May 16, 2008 | The Future Should be Energy EfficientGrowing oil prices and diminishing supplies of natural resources increasingly give rise to doubts regarding the long-term stability of an economy that relies on fossil fuels. The underlying assumption of pessimistic analyses based on the “peak …More May 9, 2008 | Medvedev Will Not Change Russian PolicyDespite hopes for change in the West, the new Russian president is hardly going to initiate a new foreign policy. ++ While Medvedev’s liberal instincts are debatable, the forces arrayed around and against him remained the same. ++ …More April 30, 2008 | Drilling Could Solve the US Oil ShortageSurprisingly, the US is the world’s third-largest oil producer, with potential to more than double its current output. ++ In addition, all three presidential candidates preach for “energy independence.” ++ So why does the …More April 30, 2008 | Gazprom Hardens Its Grip on EuropeMarek Swierczynski: Greece and Russia signed an agreement to build the southern branch of the South Stream natural gas pipeline. President Putin’s last victory hardens Gazprom’s grip on Europe and makes any energy diversification projects more difficult. Unless the EU looks at the map and acts. …More April 25, 2008 | Outrage Over Nord Stream Deal Seems to Have Died in GermanyDavid Francis: Why is everyone outside of Germany worried about Nord Stream, while people in Germany seem okay with it? By looking at the United States, it’s apparent that it’s easier to ignore reliance on imported energy than it is to confront the problem. …More April 23, 2008 | The Failure of Food-to-Fuel MandatesThe production of foodstuffs for biofuels was intended to reduce US energy dependency, mitigate climate change, and encourage crop-price stability. ++ Since they have proven highly inefficient, detrimental to the environment, and largely …More April 23, 2008 | Curbing Capitalism Could Contain the Food CrisisCapitalism and luxury consumption are responsible for the world’s environmental problems, and the emphasis on biofuels has created the global food crisis. ++ The solution is to change economic models, give up excess consumption, …More April 21, 2008 | The West Needs Russia as a Partner
|
CommunityJobs / InternshipsCall for PapersAtlantic EventsPartnersUser of the dayPoll |
