BHP Billiton: "By destroying the planet we can become even richer"

Last nights BBC business news was filled with uplifting stories, including the cheerful announcement of BHP's record profits.

Here's how the Petroleum Economist is reporting it:

BHP to splash record profits on global shale gas

Looks like its going to be a case of "Frack, baby frack" from here on in

reply to post by casinoed


what could possibly go wrong?
we get things like this right all the time....
but only when we listen to greed over logic

Here in Australia, I know Queensland farmers have been trying to stop the fracking from starting up. Last I heard there was to be no fracking within 2km of any towns. There are also some protests and some dodgy back deals going on in Western Australia about starting up another big LNG refinery. There is already one big LNG plant in WA that is still coming on line and has a long way to go until it reaches full capacity. With such a strong dependence on ground water it is a sad and dumb situation.

Well, if you're against something then you should have a solution. Basically, here is the worlds options:

1. Fracking
2. Coal
3. Green energy forced via policy such as a carbon tax.

ATS, which one do you choose?

Unfortunately, the mining companies in Oz have so much clout its hard to imagine them not getting their own way eventually.

Still it's good that the farmers there have been making a bit of noise about it.

This is the point though. Not enough people know about the possible dangers of extracting shale gas. And the MSM are playing their part (as usual) in deceiving the public.

Last night's BBC world business new bulletin ran the story as a brief item ending with the reference to increased shale gas operations. But then look at BBC online's report of the same story:

BBC News

No mention of fracking there.

reply to post by C0bzz

Well, if you're against something then you should have a solution.

Really? Who says?

No but OK, let's go with your assertion and let me suggest a devil's advocate solution: Fat lazy Americans should stop watching TV, driving hummers, operating air con 24/7 and believing everything Big Oil tells them (either directly or subliminally). That may be a first step towards a solution rather than simply exhausting dwindling carbon reserves.

Every politician in Australia needs to be sat down and shown the documentary Gasland... then shown pictures of their grand children and asked what type of legacy they wish to leave them.

If fracking goes ahead, we need massive protests that are likes of which we have never seen before. The science is already in on this matter. It's a no-brainer. No fracking at ANY costs. As citizens, we really need to draw the line in the sand and not budge.

IRM

Originally posted by casinoed
Last nights BBC business news was filled with uplifting stories, including the cheerful announcement of BHP's record profits.

Here's how the Petroleum Economist is reporting it:

BHP to splash record profits on global shale gas

Looks like its going to be a case of "Frack, baby frack" from here on in

Yeah, just what the world really needs. Even more pollution in the name of the mighty profit.

Will we ever learn I wonder?

J.

Originally posted by casinoed
reply to post by C0bzz

 

Well, if you're against something then you should have a solution.

Really? Who says?

No but OK, let's go with your assertion and let me suggest a devil's advocate solution: Fat lazy Americans should stop watching TV, driving hummers, operating air con 24/7 and believing everything Big Oil tells them (either directly or subliminally). That may be a first step towards a solution rather than simply exhausting dwindling carbon reserves.

I'm not american neither is BHP Billiton. Overall energy use worldwide is only going to increase, even if you halved US energy consumption then brought the rest of the world to that standard then total energy use goes up by a factor of something like four. I agree with conservation but from the world perspective it just won't cut it alone.

And simply reducing energy usage doesn't change where it comes from, sure you might get rid of unconventional gas in the short term but carbon reserves will still be depleted, just more slowly.


edit: and how do you force americans to use less energy?

reply to post by C0bzz


No but Petrohawk Energy Co is American, which BHP recently acquired and it is partly thanks to this acquisition that the latest financial results were so strong. And BHP shares are traded on Wall St. whose investors became a lot richer yesterday as a result of the bumper profits.

Here is another solution: Energy companies should not be allowed to be publicly listed, they should be run as not for profit organisations and any surpluses should be used to to invest in clean/alternative energy research; clean up operations; building schools, hospitals and healthcare services and improving the quality of life in areas where they operate. i.e the number one factor driving these companies should be on meeting the world's energy demands in a way that does the least damage NOT on making private investors wealthy.


And in answer to your question above: increase taxes on energy consumption - especially corporations.

I say let them frack and let it blow up in their faces.

The only way to stop them.

If it happens, their company will go under, their shares will crash big time like BP's their customers will boycott. They will be chased out of the towns.