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Global Resources News
GlobalResourcesNews.com examines the conflict over commodities and resources such as oil, water, land and minerals. We cover the competing interests of trade, local society and environmental concerns.
Our coverage is based on well-documented data about these issues, drawing on authoritative sources, describing these conflicts over commodities in a neutral tone.
We hope you will use this information to assess risks about the conflicts over commodities and use that assessment to guide your decisions in the fields of oil, gas, shale, land, food and other commodities.
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An examination of the coal- and grain-producing regions show that eastern Ukraine, the area in dispute, is home to much of the country's natural wealth.
Resources in Conflict Regions
On April 23 Ukraine announced it would be stepping up its security operations in eastern provinces where many pro-Russian supporters are calling for secession from Ukraine and annexation by Russia.In addition to political sentiment, the area is full of economic resources such as coal and highly-productive wheat and corn fields. Ukraine would stand to lose billions of dollars worth of reserves and revenue and Russia would stand to gain them if borders were redrawn.
Ukrainian Coal
The pro-Russian insurrection in the eastern provinces sits directly atop a major coal deposit. The Donets basin in Ukraine lies under some of the towns, such as Donetsk and Luhansk, where pro-Russian forces have taken over Ukrainian government buildings.
Ukrainian Agriculture
Ukraine and surrounding areas has long been called the "Bread Basket" of Russia or the USSR, with its southeastern steppes providing a fertile topography for wheat. But Ukraine is also a major corn exporter as well. See maps of Ukraine's resources in conflict zones.News about Commodities, Conflict and Sustainability
Get All GlobalResourcesNews.com Articles ArchivesRenewable energy will surpass
natural gas in developed countries
Air Quality Improvements Uneven
Some air quality measures have improved, but many still suffer from pollution.
While the number of onshore pipeline spills has dropped, the damage climbs.
Iraq Charts Oil Future Amidst Challenges
Iraq plans to increase production of oil. Pipeline blockages confront it now.
Spotlight: Middle East Conflict
Syrian refugees use 35 liters per day, six times as much water as Jordanians an official says.
See other summaries in our archive
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: Key Facts about Key IssuesConflict over Oil
which are not free nor stable. Click on map for more details.
The increasing difficulties in maintaining high production rates is the key metric in this conflict. Although the earth may contain billions of barrels of oil or similar hydrocarbons, it is only the amount that can be extracted in a timely fashion that is use to economies and societies. There have been many examples of this extraction rate going into decline after a high point, a phenomenon called "Peak Oil." The United States experience Peak Oil in the early 1970's. As other countries, and ultimately the world as a whole, go into Peak Oil phases, competition is expected to become more intense.
The map to the right shows the political status of countries which export oil to the United States. The green countries are assessed as 'free' by the think tank Freedom House. The yellow countries are 'partly free' and the purple are 'not free.' The United States gets 60 percent of its foreign oil from countries which are neither free, peaceful nor stable. Click on the map to enlarge it and for a table and its accompanying story.
Extreme Weather
Some say it is a largely a manifestation of man-made climate change; others attribute it to natural variability and periodic trends of the earth. And there is the argument that it is some of both.
Whatever the cause, extreme weather is causing thousands of deaths and destroying billions of dollars of property and crops. Coastlines are impacted by sea level rise, even at the rate of a few millimeters a year.
This channel helps you stay informed about the issues and ramifications of extreme weather.