Energy/Environment

Essential Documents

Observations by the United States of America on the Relationship Between Climate Change and Human Rights, 2008

The United States submitted these observations on the relationship between climate change and human rights to the UN Human Rights Council in 2008. The observations were "requested by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its communications dated June 3 and August 21, 2008…in accordance with Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution 7/23, in order to conduct "a detailed analytical study on the relationship between climate change and human rights."

See more in United States, Human Rights, Climate Change

Backgrounder

Oil's Trouble Spots

Author: Toni Johnson

With oil supplies tight, regions most vulnerable to oil supply disruptions present a significant economic concern, particularly threats to the Strait of Hormuz and unrest in Nigeria, explains this Backgrounder.

See more in Ukraine, Gulf States, Iran, Energy Security

Op-Ed

Cuba's Oil Plans Raise Red Flags

Author: Captain Melissa Bert, USCG
Miami Herald

Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, argues that as Cuba moves ahead with plans for a mobile offshore drilling unit, the United States must incorporate Cuba in emergency response coordination and joint operations, work through sanctions hurdles, and properly fund a response to a potential disaster.

See more in Cuba, United States, Energy/Environment, Environmental Pollution, Natural Resources Management

Audio

The Geopolitics of the Arctic (Audio)

Speakers: Scott G. Borgerson and Paula J. Dobriansky
Presider: Frank Sesno

Scott Borgerson and Paula Dobriansky discuss the economic, environmental, and security implications of a changing Arctic region and its significance for the United States.

See more in Arctic, Economics, Climate Change

Video

The Geopolitics of the Arctic

Speakers: Scott G. Borgerson and Paula J. Dobriansky
Presider: Frank Sesno

Scott Borgerson and Paula Dobriansky discuss the economic, environmental, and security implications of a changing Arctic region and its significance for the United States.

See more in Arctic, Economics, Climate Change

Audio

The Global Energy Landscape (Audio)

Speakers: Carlos B. Pascual and Daniel H. Yergin
Introductory Speaker: Robert E. Rubin
Presider: Ed Crooks

Experts discuss the energy demands of emerging economies, as well as the stability of oil supply.

This meeting is the first in a series of global partnership meetings with the Financial Times.

See more in Energy/Environment

Video

The Global Energy Landscape

Speakers: Carlos B. Pascual and Daniel H. Yergin
Introductory Speaker: Robert E. Rubin
Presider: Ed Crooks

Experts discuss the energy demands of emerging economies, as well as the stability of oil supply.

This meeting is the first in a series of global partnership meetings with the Financial Times.

See more in Energy/Environment

Essential Documents

Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, December 2011

This outcome document was released on December 10, 2011 at the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Durban, South Africa.The meeting resulted in the decision to begin forging a new treaty next year, to be completed by 2015 and coming into effect by 2020. A new climate fund, the "Green Climate Fund" was established, and the EU and a number of other countries agreed to emissions cuts under the Kyoto Protocol.

See more in Climate Change

Transcript

World Energy Outlook 2011

Speaker: Fatih Birol
Presider: Edward L. Morse

Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency, speaks about major components shaping the current World Energy Outlook including energy efficiency and lack of electric power.

See more in Energy/Environment, Energy