Call to stop fossil fuel subsidy (BBC) {worldwide}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Roger Harrabin
Environment analyst

A global energy think tank has urged nations to stop subsidising fossil fuels as soon as possible.

It says that last year governments, mainly in the developing world, spent $312bn subsidising coal oil {sic}, gas and coal.

This was even though they agree these fuels cause climate change.

The International Energy Agency says removing the subsidies would be the quickest way to control the soaring demand for energy.

It would also cut CO2 emissions by 5.8%
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11718304

http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/


I'm sure that's meant to be "oil, gas, and coal" -- "coal oil" is ancient technology.

[BeFree]

1. Currently

We tax people at the pump, the take some of those taxes and give the money to the oil companies.

That is insane, eh?

[happyslug]

2. The BBC is citing the International Energy Agency (IEA) which gathers energy data

The Actual Report, if you want to get it (You can order it from this page):
http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/

A fact Sheet on the actual Report list the problems with such subsidies:
http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/docs/weo2010/factsheets.pdf

The Executive Summary addresses those subsidize on page 16:
http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/docs/weo2010/WEO2010_ES_English.pdf

As to the term "Coal Oil" while it became common to use that term for Kerosene (Paraffin for people in England and other non American English speakers), technically it was a separate item made from Cannel coal (Which is a type of Shade oil).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_oil

Thus, while it is possible the writer was talking of Kerosene, it might also have been talking about shade oil. The above "Fact Sheets" and "Executive Summary" do not mention EITHER, and I am NOT going to spend money on the actual report to see if it addresses subsidies to either industries.

On the other hand, subsidies to the Shade Oil Industry is immense and may be what the writer is writing about NOT Kerosene.

[joshcryer]

3. I expect shale oil exploitation will explode in the next few years.