The outlook for oil

Between now and 2000, the demand for oil is expected to be moderate and the supply abundant. Economic growth is almost twice as slow as in 1973 and requires 25–30% less energy per unit of GNP. The demand for oil is therefore growing at a rate of two to three times slower. Meeting the demand for oil between now and 2000 is within the capability of the oil-producing countries, in many cases with modest additional investment. Gas and coal will be very cost competitive in relation to oil and will serve as a break on future explosive price increases.     

Shrimps, bananas and mangroves: A dispute resolved

Ecuadorian shrimp farmers suddenly found themselves in a contentious triangle with environmentalists and banana growers in a conflict that was crippling the Ecuadorian economy. The controversy concerned the Taura Syndrome, a disease allegedly caused by banana pesticides which was killing shrimp in the Gulf of Guayaquil. The shrimp farmers had responded by venturing into new areas to get out of the way of the pesticide runoff. The new areas happened to be populated by sensitive mangrove trees, which enraged the environmentalists. The dispute intensified when the parties lobbied other governments to ban one another's products. An innovative Ecuadorian dispute resolution organization intervened to help the parties think of the problem in a new way. They worked with the parties to pool their resources, so that they were working toward the same ends, rather than fighting against one another. The intervention succeeded in institutionalizing a new relationship between the shrimp farmers, banana growers, and environmentalists that has allowed the parties to resolve their conflict and to handle others over the long-term.     

The political economy of transnational oil

This paper identifies some of the major policies adopted by the public authorities of both the oil importing and oil exporting countries, as well as the business strategies followed by the major energy corporate groups. The significance of governmental policies and business strategies are often reflected in transnational political or economic relations, market structures and price formation. The focus of this paper is to ascertain the impact of those policies and strategies.     

Dry reforming of methane over oil palm shell activated carbon and ZSM-5 supported cobalt catalysts

In this study, cobalt supported oil palm shell activated carbon (Co/OPS-AC) and ZSM-5 zeolite (Co/ZSM-5) catalysts have been prepared for dry reforming of methane. Cobalt ratios of 6.0 and 14.0 wt% were deposited via wet impregnation method to the OPS-AC and ZSM-5 catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption--desorption isotherms, BET surface area, SEM, FESEM-EDX, TPR-H₂, and TPD-NH₃. The dry reforming of methane was performed using a micro reactor system under the condition of 10,000 ml/h.g-cat, 3 atm, CH₄/CO₂ ratio of 1.2:1.0 and temperature range from 923 K to 1023 K. The gaseous products were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) with thermal conductivity detector (TCD) and further quantified to determine the conversions of CH₄ and CO₂, and the yields of CO and H₂. Experimental results revealed both catalysts exhibited lower conversions of CO₂ and CH₄ with the increase in temperature from 923 K to 1023 K. The reduced conversions may be due to the formation of carboneous substance on the catalyst known as coking. Comparatively, Co/OPS-AC gave higher conversions of CO₂ and CH₄ as well as higher yields of H₂ and CO as it has a higher surface area than Co/ZSM-5 which subsequently rendered higher activity for the reforming of methane. With the increasing cobalt loadings and reaction temperature, OPS-AC(14) catalyst exhibited improved activity and H₂/CO ratio. Based on these results, cobalt supported OPS activated carbon catalyst was suggested to be more effective for CO₂ and CH₄ conversions.     

Values and the state in natural resource management: The Mt Wellington skyway dispute, Hobart, Tasmania

This article presents a study of land-use politics at the local level in Hobart, capital of the small island state of Tasmania. It is concerned with the politics of local place in the Mt Wellington Skyway cable car dispute and the tactics employed by the state government, in contravention of sustainability principles, to prioritise development over public concern for a local environment. The dispute is reviewed in terms of ideological contention, planning and decision making, and the role of the state in facilitating development. It is found to be characteristically Tasmanian in terms of state legislative support for the project and attitudes in the local community and local government polarised firmly against it. The management of the Mt Wellington Range itself is found to have been hindered by a history of non-decision making and neglect of intrinsic natural values, and the management of the Skyway approval process to have been expediently driven by utilitarian concerns. The article closely scrutinises the type of local environmental issue that Rainbow (1993) suggests has catalysed green politics at the state level in Tasmania. But more generally, it also presents a classic study of the ideological contention that continues to inspire natural resource conflict wherever communities face the degradation of local places defined by significant natural areas.     

The significance of futures trading in minerals and oil

Futures trading has been introduced for aluminium and oil in recent years and the range of contracts available on various minerals and oil products continues to widen. Concern has been expressed by producers of a number of minerals, including nickel and platinum, that the introduction of futures trading may introduce a speculative element to price determination that will create inappropriate or excessively volatile prices. It is the purpose of this article to analyse the role of futures trading in relation to trade in underlying commodities in general and especially for trade in minerals and oil. Evidence from oil and platinum markets, in particular, is adduced and examined in the light of earlier evidence of the influence of futures trading on underlying commodities. The contribution of futures trading is examined in detail and conclusions are reached on the significance of futures trading for minerals and oil.     

Conflicting energy and environmental policies: The portsmouth oil refinery

This case study presents the series of decision-making processes surrounding a current environmental issue—the Portsmouth oil refinery in Virginia. Crude oil must be refined before it can be used as fuel. Additionally, some oil must be desulfurized for use other than as gasoline. In 1977, the nation imported about one million barrels of oil a day. Although the US Department of Energy has emphasized the critical need for greater east coast refinery capability, the east coast is to supply only 25% of its refined oil needs. In the same year, the east coast met its demands for petroleum products from three sources: (a) refinery production, 22.7%, (b) product imports, 28.0%, and (c) products from the Gulf Coast, 49.3%.¹ The energy program after the Arab oil embargo has an objective of encouraging the construction of oil refineries and petrochemical plants in the United States rather than abroad. The tariff is higher on imports of refined oil products than of crude oil, and new refineries are allowed to import a large proportion of their requirements tarifffree.The US federal government does not directly regulate the locations for oil refineries or methods of desulfurization. The oil import program, however, does influence decisions concerning location of desulfurization facilities and refineries, and air and water pollution standards affect methods of refining, besides making desulfurization necessary.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Defense.     

Regional resource management techniques: The case of Colorado oil shale development

Regions under stress from rapid development require comprehensive planning and management tools, capable of identifying the pace, location and magnitude of growth and assessing social, economic and environmental impacts. Northwest Colorado, endowed with massive rich deposits of oil shale, went through a boom-bust cycle of growth during the early 1980s as US interest in synthetic fuels peaked and then rapidly declined. An innovative resource information system has been developed which has assisted the region in anticipating growth and modifying its consequences. This article reviews the organization and development of the Colorado Resource Information System (CRIS) and evaluates its role and impact in the decisionmaking process. Experience shows that regions which develop and maintain planning and information tools can have significant influence on economic development.     

A study on recovery of oil from sludge containing oil using froth flotation

Induced air flotation was used to recover oil from synthetically prepared sludge containing oil. A commercial surfactant was used as the collector and frother. The effects of various parameters, namely flotation time, initial amount of oil in the feed and the amount of surfactant used on the recovery of oil were investigated. Within the range of operating conditions studied herein, the maximum oil recovery obtained was about 55%. A detailed study of flotation kinetics based on oil recovery was carried out. It showed that the process followed first-order kinetics.     

From the erosion of crude oil prices to reorganization of the oil industry

Comparison of data on world energy consumption for 1986, 1987 and 1988 indicates that the consumption of all forms of energy increased during the period, but the demand for oil increased at a lesser rate than that of other energy sources. Although the pattern varies between countries, the overall picture is one of increased use of natural gas, coal, nuclear and hydropower as an energy source. Part of the reason for the low growth in oil demand is the oil conservation measures put in place when oil was much more expensive, but may partly be due to the scepticism of many people about the future movement of oil prices. The likely continuation of a low growth market for oil has led some oil exporting countries to move downstream in an effort to secure a dependable market for their oil and oil products.     

The impasse over limits to growth: A suggested course of research

An analysis of the long-term demands, supplies and costs for phosphorus is employed as an example of ‘worst case’ research. Worst case research attempts to bound the problems posed in The Limits to Growth relating to running out of minerals and other raw materials by studying the costs of obtaining such materials from some vast source such as common rock. Since the costs of extracting minerals from these near infinite sources are as high as they would go for thousands of years, they represent the upper limit or worst case outlook, especially since the estimated costs are based on current technology. Recycling, conservation and other possibilities are also examined. At least in certain cases it may be possible from such research to make clearer judgements about the questions of exhaustion posed by the ’limits to growth’ literature.     

美丽中的遗憾

自2001年国家环境保护总局、教育部、全国少工委联合开展的争当环境小卫士系列活动,历时一年多,现已圆满结束。本次活动的特点是领导重视、组织落实、参赛人数多、效果显著。全国有百万名小学生参与,其系列活动中的“全国小学生环保知识大赛”、“全国小学生环保知识电视对抗赛”和“组织小学生开展具体的环保活动”三项主要活动获得了很大成功。并在全国产生了广泛而深远的影响,涌现出一大批成绩突出的小学生和环境小卫士。同时各省、自治区、直辖市的环保和教育部门、少年工作者、环保志愿者、以及中央电视台等新闻媒体也都为积极开展争当环境小卫士的活动付出了辛勤的劳动。7月19日国家环保总局举行了“全国争当环境小卫士活动”发奖大会暨“中国环境小卫士赴日夏令营”开营仪式。国家环保总局、教育部、全国少工委的有关领导出席了大会并讲话。国家环保总局王玉庆副局长对该活动的意义进行了高度概括,他指出:“环境小卫士既是一个光荣称号,更代表了一种现代文明精神。我相信,今后会有更多的少年儿童成为环境小卫士,相信环境小卫士的精神将通过这次活动深深地植根于中华大地,鼓舞我们的下一代都能成为祖国的建设者和保卫者。”发奖大会上,三部委的领导向荣获本次系列活动的十佳省级争当环境小卫士活     

乐山市区大气硫氧化物污染状况及相关因子分析

本文研究了乐山市区较大面积范围内的大气硫氧化物相对污染水平。通过分析绘出了较详细的污染图谱;在得出SO_x时间分布规律基础上,了解了与它相关的因子;用模糊聚类方法,对乐山城区大气SO_2监测点提出了优化方案;并针对乐山市的大气状况,提出了对策。     

The Struggle over Functional Foods: Justice and the Social Meaning of Functional Foods

The social and scientific debate overfunctional foods has two focal points: one isthe issue of the reliability andtrustworthiness of the claims connected withfunctional foods. You don't have to be asuspicious person to be skeptical vis-à-visthe rather exorbitant claims of most functionalfoods. They promise prevention against allkinds of illnesses and enhancement ofachievements like memory and vision, withouthaving been tested adequately. The second issueis the issue of the socio-cultural dimension offunctional foods and their so calleddetrimental effect on the social and normativemeanings of food, with possibly the effect thatfood in general will be treated like amedicine, with radical individualizing effects.Finally, individuals would only be allowed toeat what their gene-profile prescribes them. Inthis paper, it is argued that food is anon-neutral public good that contributesinherently to the identity of vulnerableindividuals. It should be treated in anon-neutral, but impartial way. Therefore,politics need to intervene in food markets froma justice and ethical point of view with twoaims in mind. The first aim (as an implicationof justice considerations) should be toestablish safety conditions, and to identifyand monitor food safety standards in anobjective and impartial way. Preventive medicalclaims of foods should be allowed on the basisof appropriate and objective testing methods.The second aim (as an implication of ethicalconsiderations) should be to shape conditionsfor a cohabitation of various food styles,including that of functional foods. Moreover,the cultural and symbolic meaning of food in apluralistic society requires that the differentfood styles find some modus of living andinteracting together. As long as functionalfoods comply with safety standards and respectother food styles, they should be allowed onthe market, just like any other food product.