Category Archives: Environment

Cereals, Appropriability, and Hierarchy

Conventional theory suggests that hierarchy and state institutions emerged due to increased productivity following the Neolithic transition to farming. This column argues that these social developments were a result of an increase in the ability of both robbers and the emergent elite to appropriate crops. Hierarchy and state institutions developed, therefore, only in regions where appropriable cereal crops had sufficient productivity advantage over non-appropriable roots and tubers.

Why Did Oil Prices Just Jump By 27 Percent in 3 Days?

Oil prices have posted their strongest rally in years, jumping an astounding 27 percent in the last three trading days of August.

While much of the recent price movement defies reason and is enormously magnified by speculative movements by traders to take and cover their bets on oil, still, there were a series of rumors, events, and fresh data that helped contribute to the spike.

Governance Matters

This post illustrates how dominant the neoliberal paradigm has become all over the world, and how it fails to acknowledge, much the less address, the well-known failings of markets, such as externalities.

Conflict Over Water In Central Asia

Expect water wars to become more common and deadly.

Wine and Water Watch (WWW) Challenges Northern California’s Invasive Wine Empire

Northern California activists opposed to the land and water use practices of the wine industry are stepping up their efforts.

California First, As Both Climate Victim and Responder, the National Style-Setter Leads the Way

An old saying among trend-mavens is that as California goes, so goes the nation. That means its devastating drought is a real warning.

Climate Change: Have We Reached the Point of No Return?

This Real News Network segment provides a sobering assessment of the speed of climate change and species die-offs.

Judges Nixing Keystone XL South Cases Had Tar Sands-Related Oil Investments

Lambert here: As ever, the scandal is what’s legal. Ka-ching. By Steve Horn, a Madison, WI-based Research Fellow for DeSmogBlog and a freelance investigative journalist. He previously was a reporter and researcher at the Center for Media and Democracy. Originally published at DeSmogBlog. On August 4, the U.S. Appeals Court for the 10th Circuit shot […]

Don Quijones: Spain Hit by Trade Suits, a Bitter Foretaste of TTIP

Spain has been hit by 19 trade suits over renewable energy subsidies alone. More would come if the TTIP become law.

Hillary Clinton State Department Emails, Mexico Energy Reform, and the Revolving Door

Three Flexians from HillaryLand envision and implement a Mexico energy “reform” architecture from which they personally benefit.

Campaign 2016: Where Are The Candidates On Energy?

With the 2016 campaign underway too early for comfort, some of the candidates are starting to state their energy policies.

Why Carbon Taxes Would Be the Ultimate Energy Game-Changer

Carbon taxes are one of the most effective ways to curb the use of fossil fuels and promote renewable energy sources. And they also help businesses because providing for a predictable price of carbon encourages investment. Has their time finally arrived?

Lambert Strether on The Star Trek Fallacy: Romanticizing ImperialismI've never been comfortable with the shepherd metaphor....
different clue on The Star Trek Fallacy: Romanticizing ImperialismThis article is another example of conflating EuroWestern...
Tom in AZ on John Helmer: MH17 – The Lie to End All Truths, and New EvidenceThank you, Yves. we don't need more of...
different clue on 2:00PM Water Cooler 9/18/2015Sic Semper Tyrannis , which is sometimes a...
different clue on 2:00PM Water Cooler 9/18/2015I wonder why this "not our military's purpose...

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Category Archives: Environment

Cereals, Appropriability, and Hierarchy

Why Did Oil Prices Just Jump By 27 Percent in 3 Days?

Governance Matters

Conflict Over Water In Central Asia

Wine and Water Watch (WWW) Challenges Northern California’s Invasive Wine Empire

California First, As Both Climate Victim and Responder, the National Style-Setter Leads the Way

Climate Change: Have We Reached the Point of No Return?

Judges Nixing Keystone XL South Cases Had Tar Sands-Related Oil Investments

Don Quijones: Spain Hit by Trade Suits, a Bitter Foretaste of TTIP

Hillary Clinton State Department Emails, Mexico Energy Reform, and the Revolving Door

Campaign 2016: Where Are The Candidates On Energy?

Why Carbon Taxes Would Be the Ultimate Energy Game-Changer

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