Category Archives: Commodities

Michael Hudson Talks with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté About the Broader Ramifications of the US/NATO Conflict with Russia

Michael Hudson expliains how the US hopes to benefit from its proxy war with Russia.

Out of Africa: Rich Continent, Poor People

A new book documents the scale and mechanism of the looting of Africa.

The Coming EU Embargo of Russian Oil, Russia’s Economic Challenges, and the Question of Operational Capacity

The EU is planning to punch Russia hard with yet another embargo, this of its oil. But will this wind up being more rope a dope?

‘This Needs to Be Fixed’: Nuclear Expert Calls Radioactivity Levels Found Outside Ohio Oilfield Waste Facility ‘Excessive’

An investigation reveals elevated levels of radioactivity not far from a high school football stadium, and accounts from inspectors point to the contamination’s possible source.

The Energy Transition Has A Major Metals Problem

Green energy requires significant amounts of metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese. Current supplies aren’t adequate.

Naive Questions About Russia’s War Economy

Russia is now debating alternatives for putting its economy on a war footing: nationalizations or keeping billionaire capitalism in place.

Has Gasoline Price Shock Triggered Demand Destruction Yet? And Where Will Gasoline Prices Go from Here?

There’s some demand destruction. But oil bounced again, gasoline might be next.

U.S. Natural Gas Prices To Spike As Exports Boom

More discuss of the practical issues arising from the US plan to help fill Europe’s Russia gas gap.

Refurbished Walkers and Wheelchairs Fill Gaps Created by Supply Chain Problems

Yet more signs of commodity shortfalls: scarce walkers and other assistative devices, due to a shortage of aluminum

As Oil Giants Turn to Bitcoin Mining, Some Spin Burning Fossil Fuels for Cryptocurrency as a Climate Solution

In a pilot project last year, ExxonMobil used up to 18 million cubic feet of gas per month to mine bitcoin in North Dakota.

IPCC Adaptation Report: It’s Later Than You Think

“It’s now or never, if we want to limit global warming to 1.5C,” IPCC Working Group III co-chair Jim Skea announced.

Is Today’s Energy Shortage Worse Than The 1970s Oil Crisis?

The energy outlook, particularly for Europe, is not very cheery.

A Sobering View of High Fuel Prices, Green Energy, and Biden’s Plans to Help Europ

An assessment of current economic conditions, including rising prices, how long the pain might last, and possible paths forward.

Global Supply Chain Risk and Resilience

Are experts whistling in the dark about the coming odds of fundamental restructuring of many supply chains?