Climate Crisis AM Edition 1.13.24
Crude Prices Rise Because of Suez
Oli prices have picked up sharply because of attacks on shipping in transit to the Suez Canal. Other goods carried by container ships are likely to be slow to market as they move toward the Cape of Good Hope. The US and UK have increased attacks on Yemen’s Houthi forces, which have made attacks in turn on several commercial ships. Oil prices are now above $80, which may mean gasoline prices will rise in the next few weeks after falling below $3 in the US for the first time in almost two years. The Biden Administration says he plans to knock out the ability of the Houthi to operate.
American Health: Plastic in Drinking Water.
Blizzards will affect economic activity in a broad area of the US. Midwest weather has caused the cancellation of many flights. Businesses have been shuttered from Chicago to Iowa.
EV Cars Get Expensive
EV companies are cupping the number of features on their cars. Bloomberg points out that this is, in part, to justify high prices. EVs, in general, are more expensive than their gas-powered versions. The news service reports:
As carmakers go electric, they’re sending more resources — in budgets and brains — straight to battery-powered models. That means anyone looking for the latest, greatest and most frivolous in auto innovation will increasingly find it in an EV.
Expensive Energy for the Poor
The Energy Department reports that some 50 million low-income Americans have received no relief on their electric bills. Lower green energy costs have not been passed on to the poor. The department’s report on the matter says:
Forty-four percent of Americans, or about 50 million people, qualify as low-income and have a disproportionately high energy burden; this means the percentage of gross household income they spend on energy is three times higher than it is for non-low-income Americans. This disparity stands in the way of nationwide energy accessibility and affordability.
