Like the new ways to fight war, this post is too a new way to convey information. Don’t worry, I won’t leave most of you in hanging.
The first piece is a must-read not for americans, but for anyone with an eye to the future (precisely next 3 to 5 years). The difference not only in maritime power, but logistical capabilities between the US and its adversaries, is enormous. The disruption of the american economy, fueling the current rapid decline was easily exploitable by a strong enough enemy, and I have hammered this point time and time again, China does not care about short or even med term pain, as long it’s crippling it’s stronger adversaries and securing the necessary resources to thrive.
In my opinion, the damage is done, the enemies will continue to exploit this moment of weakness, but it is a clear lesson for the short term future, to better prepare, realign its national security interest with closer partners. Also, a lesson on how globalization is a literal nationwide suicide if your over optimized system suffer a hiccup (let alone a cascade failure like the last 18 months).
Conflict in Ukraine will affect staple grains, which are already suffering from the weather, scarcity of fertilizer and supply chain issues. A conflict in Ukraine, from a Hybrid Warfare perspective, will benefit Russia but largely China, since it will cripple the already fragile energy woes of the EU, and less global grain supply, therefore higher food costs, leading to major destabilization.
I was amazed to discover that fake meat companies don’t disclose how dirty they are, and a mere glance at the process can quite tell you they are major polluters.
Under enough pressure, there is no such thing as dirt fuels, carbon bs, or enough green lobby to make your politicians see the revolting crowds and the decline of their nations, the inflation eroding the country finances and persist on that path. As a example of a leader who couldn't care less about virtue signaling and green propaganda, Xi Jinping won’t compromise its country for elite stupidity.
Up until now, China has been playing the game alone.
You could bet that EV costs will be that high when widespread use attained, and green energy can’t keep up with the demand.
These trends are nothing new if you spend time reading my other posts, it’s merely the byproduct of the numerous cascade effects that now are literal loops of failure.
And a breadcrumb for last…….
How to lose the next war: Ignore the supply chain
The Biden administration faces innumerable challenges, both foreign and domestic. As the drums of war beat on the border of Ukraine, the administration has decided to remove the military option from the table and instead punish a Russian invasion with the threat of unleashing the mother of all economic sanctions. I’m not sure that Vladimir Putin really cares. His mind is set. I predict that he is going to cross the line and invade Ukraine.
Today, it is worth noting that the Chinese Shipping Corp. has a fleet of 1,371 vessels while the U.S.-flag fleet has fallen to 180 vessels1. Furthermore, China State Shipbuilding Corp. delivered 184 ships for a total of 16 million tons in 2021, exceeding the entire inventory of our deepwater U.S. Merchant Marine in just one year. The ships sailing under U.S. flag are the only ones that can be counted upon to act in America’s interests in times of crisis.
The consequences of overreliance on foreign vessels are now rippling across our nation, as American agricultural and manufacturing exports are stymied in port, while foreign vessels take empty containers back to Asia for the next haul.
By limiting and delaying necessary supplies, like pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, China has the ability to cause direct harm to American citizens. There is much work to be done on this matter, but let us not overlook the critical need for greater American self-reliance in shipping, which can only be achieved through the expansion of the U.S.-flag fleet. The threat of an intentional disruption to America’s supply lines is very real and very concerning. We should all view the current shipping crisis as further evidence of America’s vulnerability to major economic competitors like China. The time to act is now.
Simmering Tension Over Ukraine Risks Raising Bread Prices
Ukraine’s role as a major supplier of staple crops -- from wheat to corn and sunflower oil -- means that simmering tensions are a growing focus in agricultural markets, driving prices higher and adding more pressure on global food inflation.
Those fake-meat hamburgers might not be a planet-saver after all
“They focus on the CO2,” says Frédéric Leroy, a professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, “but that’s a very limited view.” Sustainability metrics like soil health and biodiversity should be part of the calculation, he says.
Most fake-meat manufacturers use alternative proteins derived from soy or peas. These are grown in large fields comprising only that plant type, a practice known as monoculture farming.
“Monocultures will have impacts on soil erosion, they depend heavily on fossil fuels because of the fertilizers, and they’re a nightmare for biodiversity,” says Leroy.
She agrees with the need to reduce environmental impacts, but isn’t convinced that eating less beef is the answer. If Canadians ate less beef, she argues, those grasslands would be plowed, releasing the sequestered carbon from the soil.
“You could actually see more emissions being released, you know, by not having cattle on the landscape than you ever would from reducing your meat consumption,” Peck says.
One obstacle to determining the trade-offs is that plant-based food companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat do not report their overall environmental footprint, according to traditional measures.
There’s a New Agri-Giant Invading the U.S. Heartland
For decades, four companies have dominated the agricultural market — grain barons controlling our daily bread and beef, and, increasingly, our vegan options, too. The quartet is made up of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc., and Louis Dreyfus Co. — or ABCD for short.
Glencore's Viterra buys Gavilon grains unit to expand in US
Glencore's Viterra unit agreed to buy the grains business of Gavilon Group from Marubeni, giving the world's top commodity trader a bigger foothold in the US with key crop prices near multiyear highs.
Viterra will acquire a significant agriculture footprint in the world's largest grain shipper, after largely being concentrated in countries like Canada and Australia.
Gavilon has assets throughout the Plains and Midwest, as well as indirect minority ownership in two West Coast port terminals which offer a gateway to Asia.
Why U.S. Natural Gas Is No Longer Too Dirty for France
Now that the United States is working toward cleaner energy sources, natural gas has an important role to play in meeting energy needs and decarbonization. Furthermore, the ability to temporarily turn natural gas into a cooled liquid for transport has helped open up new markets and given other countries more opportunities to shift away from coal.
Although some analysts argue that natural gas is not green enough, many ambitious climate and energy scenarios show that it is a key component of the green energy transition. Specifically, it is often referred to as a “bridge fuel” that can replace coal and help developing economies meet growing energy demand. Of course, not all experts and policymakers agree on this. For instance, some European countries, such as Norway, are pushing for international bodies to end funding for natural gas projects.
China’s Xi Says Climate Targets Can’t Compromise Energy Security
Emissions policies have constrained supply of key commodities
Government takes a safety-first approach to power generation
President Xi Jinping said efforts to achieve China’s climate targets need to work in lockstep with the government’s other objectives, as policy makers seek to balance sometimes conflicting environmental and economic aims.
Xi said the nation’s carbon goals shouldn’t clash with other priorities, which include securing adequate supplies of food, energy and materials “to ensure the normal life of the masses,” according to comments made at a Politburo session reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.
Charging Your EV From Flat to Full Can Cost £240. Or Nothing
A new study of EV charging around the U.K. using local council stations shows a wide variety of costs—from outrageous to zero.
Ownership of Chemicals that Exploded at Beirut Port Traces Back to Ukraine
A year after a massive shipment of ammonium nitrate exploded in Beirut, an OCCRP investigation has settled one of the biggest lingering questions: who actually owned the cargo. A trail of documents reveals a decades-old chemical-trading network controlled by Ukrainians, hidden behind a veil of proxies and shell firms.
Key Findings
A Ukrainian businessman named Volodymyr Verbonol and partners were behind the company that owned the ammonium nitrate shipment.
The company was part of a sprawling, decades-old network involved in chemical trading since at least the early 2000s.
The network disguised its operations behind at least half a dozen trade names and various strawmen and shell companies.
Offshore service providers in Cyprus and the United Kingdom facilitated the network’s operations.
Cattle made us where we are today. Cattle is one of the most green resource if you use it correctly. Industrial farming is not sustainable and it's problem has nothing to do with meat.
Free roaming cattle on natural uncultivated grasslands were the reason our society could grow. Cattle can eat this uncultivated grass and give you diary and meat with great nutrients and both can be stored in forms without refrigeration or any preservatives!
One of the best ones I’ve read so far imho.