CEO of Shell The latest address peak oil and global warming

[intaglio]

Pardon?
http://www.shell.com/home/content/aboutshell-en/our_strategy/shell_global_scenarios/two_energy_futures/two_energy_futures_25012008.html

That is right the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, Jeroen van der Veer, has just issued an article on the Shell website for public consumption saying,

"By 2100, the world’s energy system will be radically different from today’s. Renewable energy like solar, wind, hydroelectricity, and biofuels will make up a large share of the energy mix, and nuclear energy, too, will have a place. Humans will have found ways of dealing with air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. New technologies will have reduced the amount of energy needed to power buildings and vehicles."

and

"The world faces a long voyage before it reaches a low-carbon energy system. Companies can suggest possible routes to get there, but governments are in the driver’s seat. And governments will determine whether we should prepare for bitter competition or a true team effort."

:crazy: :wtf:

Sorry, but the age of miracles seems not to have passed :bounce:
http://www.shell.com/home/content/aboutshell-en/our_strategy/shell_global_scenarios/two_energy_futures/two_energy_futures_25012008.html

[Deja Q]

1. I thought corporations did not want regulations and government interference.

Seriously. Corporations, supply and demand, et al, dictate the system.

Regardless of confusion or sarcasm, at least the problem is being mentioned by people with clout. Maybe the government will mandate them, as they have the biggest profits by far, to do something? I'm doing my part for clean and green, more people definitely want to... And in utter seriousness, I don't want to sound arrogant.

Besides, oil companies would have put in patents here and there. And we'll still need oil. One way or another, they won't be begging on the streets. All people want is a chance to be part of it.

On the plus side, this kinda rules out the quaint notion of a "one world government" - but plenty of evidence points the same way (North American Union - what would give Canada incentive to merge, right now? ;) )

[Johonny]

2. I guess he's right

Oil companies aren't going to invest in alternative energy sources unless the government gives them a driver. It's no different than pharmaceuticals companies that don't invest in new drugs unless the government gives them money to do so. In the modern world if you want to do scientific research you got to do it through government.

[Deja Q]

3. Uh-oh. It's jiffypop popcorn tinfoil time!

In which case, can government subsidy oil companies ONCE they provide the energy available for other forms of keeping society running?

I mean, all the talk of corporations and hillaries saying "Americans can compete if they really want to"...

"We are not against all outsourcing; we are not in favour of putting up
fences," Clinton said firmly, adding that Americans were capable of
competing against anyone if they summoned the will. http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/Archive/Hillary5.txt

Well, oil companies are American companies. And unlike Americans, they have the most money and therefore most influence. I'll do what I can, and I'll look to the government for clues as well.

[Johonny]

4. well

If the government tells them their job is to look for new sources of oil and plan to drill in Alaskan reserve and gives them money to do that, that's just what they'll do. If the government tells them their job is to develop alternative energies and starts giving out money to companies to do just that and stops giving them money to dig up Alaska and look for new sources of oil well...

I think the major problem with our corporate welfare isn't that it exists, but that the government negotiates such terrible deals, that require no loyalty, no profit sharing and no future input of such companies into America's infrastructure.

[Deja Q]

6. Nice POV.

Thx much!

Some loyalty is necessary; it's not just inevitable - it's human nature to have to take sides at some point.

[Kip Humphrey]

5. He also effectively put a date to peak oil: 2015...

And suggested Shell will pursue carbon sequestration but wants governments to support carbon trading first.