The Oil Drum

40 professors of ETH Zurich, one of the most highly reputed and visible technical universities on this planet, belong to the Energy Science Center, a collaborative effort created in order to study the challenges that lie ahead in terms of resource depletion and the effects exerted by our presence on the global dynamics of our planet. Currently, the potential ramifications of peak oil and global warming are the Center's main focus.

A year and a half ago, six of the professors decided to define a new Energy Strategy for ETH Zurich, to determine how ETH, through research and educational activities, could contribute to finding solutions to these rapidly emerging and ever more pressing issues.

In February 2008, they published the results of their collective efforts in a brochure that can be downloaded from the web in either German or English. Last week, they finally presented the results of their studies to the broader public in a special energy science colloquium entitled 1 t CO₂ and/or 2 kW per Capita? Strategic Goals and Transformation Paths for the Energy System of the Future. The presentation (in German) can be downloaded from their website in streaming video format.

This paper provides a critical review of the seminar talk presented by Prof. Boulouchos, who spearheaded the research effort, as well as of the recommendations made by the committee.

Today, I attended a public debate organized by the four Swiss Academies of Sciences. A position paper entitled: Rethinking Energy - Efficient Use and Conversion of Energy: Contribution to Sustainable Development in Switzerland that had been prepared by the four academies over the past year was to be debated by experts and the broad public. Unfortunately, the position paper itself is only available in German and in French, but both versions contain a three-page summary in English. A broad range of experts were invited to the debate, including scientists, economists, CEOs of energy companies, as well as some politicians.

This is a guest post by chrisale.

A major policy speech introducing the new plan by the Conservative Party of Canada to reduce Canadian GHG emissions has been leaked to the Opposition Liberals... and in an attempt to avoid influencing the markets before they open today (Wednesday), the crux of the plan has been released.

The CBC reports:

The speech says that by 2020, the government hopes it will have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 150 million tonnes.

It also says the government will explore emission credit trading with the U.S. and Mexico, something they have been reluctant to embrace in the past.

"The Tory government intends to stop the rise of greenhouse gases in three to five years".

Last week, we learned that Canada’s record on greenhouse gas emissions reductions is the worst of the G8. Worse even than the non-signatory to the Kyoto Accord, the United States. This sets a realistic counterpoint to the much hyped greenwash announcements of the Canadian federal government in previous weeks. The Eco-Energy public relations events were primarily recycled hot air from the previous administration; wrapped in Tory blue paper and tied up with green ribbon. The appearance of action while committing to nothing was assailed by political partisans and pundits, but with no effective or constructive criticism. It was a clear victory of symbolism over substance.

Alberta's clout in Ottawa is also growing. Stephen Harper, Canada's prime minister, and many close advisers come from the western province. The population of Alberta and neighbouring British Columbia has overtaken that of Quebec for the first time. Together, the two will be entitled to more members of parliament than the French-speaking province.

The oilsands have boosted Canada's profile in the US and abroad. McKinsey plans to hold its next global energy conference in Calgary. "It's fantastic to have a piece of the economy that is so focused on improving productivity," says Bruce Simpson, the company's managing partner in Canada.

Yet, for all the benefits, a frisson of nervousness has recently emerged that short-term growth may be taking precedence over long-term prudence. Mr Vander Ploeg estimates that the province's Progressive Conservative government has saved just 8.6 per cent of the C$120bn it has collected in non-renewable resource royalties over the past 30 years.

By contrast, Alaska has set aside about one-quarter of its resource revenues in "permanent" and "reserve" funds. Norway has tucked almost two-thirds of its North Sea riches into a rainy-day petroleum fund....

....The oilsands investment has created such a dire labour shortage that one coffee-shop chain prints a "now hiring" message on its paper cups. But soaring accommodation costs have expanded the ranks of the working poor. The Mustard Seed, a church-based community group, serves 14,000 meals a month in the capital Edmonton. Tim Seefeldt, its chairman, says: "The impression people have that a boom makes all problems go away is not true."