There was an interesting article in yesterday’s WSJ about the meteoric rise of electric bikes (e-bikes) in China. A thread running throughout, particularly in the expert and on-the-ground commentary, was that these e-bikes (some of which can reach 25 miles an hour but can be driven with no formal certification) are deadly hazards. Originally launched [...]

According to the United Nations, people were responsible for more than 27 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2004. Figure 1 shows a breakdown of global emissions by country for the top 10 emitters in 2004 (and while the data has not been fully assembled, emissions in the developing world have risen substantially since [...]

In a speech yesterday (Tuesday, January 13) at the National Press Club, ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Jim Mulva made an interesting observation on the issue of reducing the environmental footprint of energy production. He said: We agree with the concept of reducing the environmental footprint of energy production and consumption. But we must be realistic [...]

In the midst of this economic upheaval, like in those that preceded it, there is a palpable tension amongst developed nations between innovation and risk aversion.  In a globalized economy, with energy security looming as one of the central concerns of the next many decades, risk aversion is particularly dangerous on at least two fronts: [...]