What's on This Site

Purpose: to function as a clearinghouse of useful information, as well as an incubator of provocative and innovative ideas. I have done this by trying to break down some of the complexities associated with the overlapping issues of energy, culture, politics, and economics. I cover a range of political, social, and scientific perspectives here. Although global in focus, there is a slight regional slant toward the western American state of California. The physical layout of this site is basically divided into two vertical halves: the left-hand side, and the right-hand side.

Down the left side (mostly blog posts & links):
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Across the Bottom (information section, mostly reference material on energy consumption):
- Suggested Additional Reading and Viewing
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- US Energy Consumption Statistics (year-to-date, updated in near-real-time)
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Inside Story - Libya: Ready for civil war? (Al Jazeera)



Libya is currently imploding. It sits atop Africa's largest known petroleum reserves. This is (was?) approximately 10% of all EU oil imports. Tightness in oil markets mean that slight "ripples" can now have amplified effects. In systems terms, this would be the proverbial "bifurcation point," and all that can go with that in the political-economic sense, after a period of "unstable equilibrium" (which now characterizes the entire 21st century world economic system). In political and economic terms, the current situation is fraught with both danger and opportunity (wherein "danger" = "opportunity").

Oil prices now in a steep climb (again!): Brent (Europe) at $110.50, & WTI (USA) at 98.58 / barrel. [Note: in the minutes between viewing the above video, typing and uploading this piece, prices shifted yet again.]

Multiple factions of Libyan belligerents have threatened to blow up oil facilities, if their demands are not met. See the following blog, as but one example:

http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/2011/02/libya-oil-updates.html

In my class, at the University of Redlands, we've been discussing the political and economic implications of the same. Whether or not you are a student, or a member of the general public, we should all be watching Libya closely, now.


Blaine

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1 comment:

Dr. Blaine D. Pope: said...

Libya is currently imploding. It sits atop Africa's largest known petroleum reserves. This is (was?) approximately 10% of all EU oil imports. Tightness in oil markets mean that slight "ripples" can now have amplified effects. In systems terms, this would be the proverbial "bifurcation point," and all that can go with that in the political-economic sense, after a period of "unstable equilibrium" (which now characterizes the entire 21st century World Economic system). Fraught with both danger and opportunity (wherein "danger" = "opportunity").

Oil prices now in a steep climb (again!): Brent (Europe) at $110.50, & WTI (USA) at 98.58 / barrel.

Multiple factions of Libyan belligerents have threatened to blow up oil facilities, if demands not met. See the following blog, as but one example:

http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/2011/02/libya-oil-updates.html

In my class, at the University of Redlands, we've been discussing the political and economic implications of the same. Whether or not you are a student, or a member of the general public, should all be watching Libya closely, now.

February 23, 2011 at 1:03 PM

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Why design a site on "Culture and the Political-Economy of Energy Resources?"

Overview: A New Way for a New Era

The overall purpose of this site is to function as a clearinghouse of useful information, as well as an incubator of provocative and innovative ideas. Emphasis will be on the social implications of our heavy reliance on petroleum and related products. All of this is being discussed—either implicitly or explicitly—in the overarching / overlapping context(s) of Peak Oil and Climate Change.

The site contains a collection of useful links, original articles, re-posts from other distinguished organizations, individual writers and bloggers.

I hope that you will find this site both useful and enjoyable (and I welcome your feedback). It’s not easy to make something so serious so fun. This comes about as a result of reviewing a lot of material in the past which, although very informative, could also be quite depressing and downright discouraging at times. So, I’ve decided to take a slightly different path, in bringing you information that you will possibly find important or helpful.

Finally, know that you are not alone in all of this—far from it. These are issues we are all facing, in one way or another. So let’s find our courage and face them together.


Aerial View of Downtown Los Angeles. This city typifies the triumph of the petroleum-based industrial system of the 20th century.

External Blog and RSS Links

Research Gate

Blaine Pope

"In the beginning is energy, all else flows therefrom." -- Cheikh Anta Diop (1974)

"In the beginning is energy, all else flows therefrom." -- Cheikh Anta Diop (1974)

About Me

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A college professor and independent management consultant, focusing on general program design and administration, sustainable development, and the political-economy of energy and the environment. Faculty member at Goddard College (Plainfield, VT). Previously worked at the following academic institutions: Sociology and Anthropology Department, University of Redlands (Redlands, CA); Media and Social Change Program, jointly taught between the School of Psychology at Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, CA) and the University of California at Los Angeles Extension (UCLAx) Program; Research Assistant Professor, Center for Sustainable Cities at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA); Global Studies Program, University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB); MPA Program in Environmental Science and Policy, The Earth Institute and the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University (New York, NY); and, Swahili Language Program, Council on African Studies, Yale University (New Haven, CT). -- Additional working experience in emergency relief and development in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East.

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