Category UN Bans on fertilizer

Sep 2 2022

US Oil Reserves Nearly Depleted


Armstrong Economics Blog/Energy Re-Posted Sep 2, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has been at its lowest level since, ironically, 1984. The reservoirs are composed of four underground sites constructed from salt domes on the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana and Texas. The White House began extracting oil from the emergency reserves to combat rising gas prices. Politicians simply hope that the problem can be patched up for as long as they can remain in power.

In August, the US extracted 18 million barrels of crude. The stockpile now sits at only 450 million, reaching a nearly 40-year low. Additionally, the White House under Biden has been selling off the remaining reserves to foreign refiners. China received nearly a million barrels of oil to a subsidiary of Sinopec, a company that previously received BILLIONS in investments from an equity firm operated by none other than Hunter Biden. In fact, Biden has sold off nearly a quarter of oil reserves this year alone. Is he deliberately trying to create a crisis to spark the Great Reset?

Russia is not to blame for rising gas prices, as a gallon cost a mere $2.28 in December 2020. A year later, after Biden implemented disastrous green policies, the price rose to $3.40. Biden panicked once gas hit $5 in June and began to pull from the reserves to make it seem as if he had a grip on the problem. The government has no solution for the current energy crisis. The best we can hope for is the Republicans coming to power and demanding that domestic production continue immediately.

Sep 2 2022

Germans Stockpiling Firewood


Armstrong economics Blog/Energy Re-Posted Sep 2, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

We are quickly reverting back to the Dark Ages. Cooking and keeping warm with fossil fuels may become a luxury as the energy crisis spreads across the West. Reports are growing from Germany that people are stockpiling firewood before the winter season. Google search results for “brennholz” (firewood) peaked this August in Germany as their government announced they would continue supporting Ukraine indefinitely.

Half of German homes are heated by natural gas, while a quarter uses oil. Less than 6% reported using firewood, but that is set to change as even firewood is now in a shortage. Germany’s Federal Firewood Association announced earlier in the summer that wood was becoming scarce. People are now importing firewood from Poland, but people there are also buying up firewood as no one can afford these rising prices. Governments are offering no solutions, and people have reason to fear the future.

Versorgungssicherheit is a word describing the fear of a shortage. Due to this fear, many companies are rationing the number of firewood bundles people are allowed to buy. The Federal Network Agency expects gas prices to TRIPLE by early 2023. The energy crisis spreading across the West will result in growing civil unrest and could trigger a major geopolitical event across Europe as people will be faced with hardships this winter not seen in a lifetime.

Sep 2 2022

California on Track to Topple Power Grid


Armstrong Economics Blog/Climate Re-Posted Sep 2, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

California plans to ban gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The Advanced Clean Cars II rule would ban ALL gas car sales in 2035, but there are no alternatives in place. The average American cannot afford an electric car or maintenance on an electric vehicle. Beginning in 2026, 35% of new autos sold in California will be required to produce zero emissions. By 2027, 51% of all new cars will need to be electric, and that amount will rise to 68% in 2028, followed by an all-out ban on gas-powered cars in 2035.

Well, California is already struggling to power the electric vehicles on the road in 2022. The California Independent System Operator called for a “voluntary energy conservation” during the upcoming Labor Day weekend due to the failing power grid. They are asking residents to refrain from charging their cars between 4 PM and 9 PM, which is when demand peaks. “If left unmanaged, the power demanded from many electric vehicles charging simultaneously in the evening will amplify existing peak loads, potentially outstripping the grid’s current capacity to meet demand,” Cornell University’s College of Engineering stated.

So electric vehicles have the potential to take down California’s power grid. The state estimates that it will need 1.2 million charging stations by 2030, but they have a mere 80,000 currently. California does not have the ability to implement this zero-emission ban without toppling the entire power grid.

Sep 1 2022

Biden: “Let me say this to my MAGA Republican friends in Congress: Don’t tell me you support law enforcement if you won’t condemn what happened on the 6th.”


The Post Millennial Clips  Published originally on Rumble on August 30, 2022

Biden: “Let me say this to my MAGA Republican friends in Congress: Don’t tell me you support law enforcement if you won’t condemn what happened on the 6th.”

Sep 1 2022

UK Energy Bills Expected to Rise 80% in October


Armstrong Economics Blog/BRITAIN Re-Posted Sep 1, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The entire West will face higher energy prices due to climate initiatives and Russian sanctions. The British energy regulator Ofgem released a troubling report citing that the average household will pay $4,200 on energy over the next year, compared to the current $2,330 annual average.

The UK raised its energy price cap in April by 54% and is expected to raise it once more this October by 80%. “This will be devastating for many families,” Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, told the BBC. “The difficult news I have to give today is that prices look like they are continuing to rise.” This is a drastic understatement.

An Ipsos poll found that one in 10 people already find it “very difficult” to afford energy costs over the past three months, and two in 10 found it “fairly difficult.” Over a third have installed a smart meter, and two in five have tried price comparison websites to no avail. People are already unable to afford energy costs, and 29% admitted to dipping into savings to do so, while another 15% said they missed payments entirely.

The term “fuel poverty” is now commonplace and is used for households that spend over 10% of their net income on energy bills. The University of York forecast that two-thirds of households in the UK will face fuel poverty by the beginning of next year. Families with children are the most vulnerable. This is a direct result of lawmakers pushing the climate change agenda with ZERO alternative solutions in addition to blindly supporting Ukraine at the expense of their own people.

Sep 1 2022

Trudeau Throws C$100 Million at Woke Agenda


Armstrong Economics Blog/Canada Re-Posted Sep 1, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

As Canadians grapple with inflation, most taxpayers are eager to spend money on 2SLGBT programs and awareness. Well, at least that is what the Trudeau Administration falsely believes. The government has budgeted C$100 million for 2SLGBT initiatives. Sadly, they have the power to spend this money recklessly without the taxpayers’ consent.

I had to look up 2S since the acronym continues to grow by the day. The first search result in Google is from a website intended for Canadian children to understand the infinite amount of genders:

“Two-Spirit (or 2 Spirit or 2S): an important term within some Indigenous cultures and for some Indigenous people, meaning a person with both a feminine and a masculine spirit living in the same body. This is often used to describe sexual orientation, gender identity and/or spiritual identity.”

It is a shame that this is what children are learning in classrooms. So where in the WTF is this money going? Apparently, 75% will go toward diversity and inclusion, “where the real work of support comes from,” Trudeau said. That is a very broad way to say they plan to use the money however they see fit. Around C$5 million will go toward a public awareness campaign, and an additional will C$7.7 will be spent on data collection and research.

People can live life however they see fit. I do not care what you do behind closed doors. However, the taxpayer should not need to foot the bill for this alternative lifestyle. This plan will only cause people to feel a divide between traditional vs alternative lifestyles. Even many with alternative lifestyles see that this woke agenda has gone too far. “This will guide our ongoing work to fight discrimination, break down barriers, to advance rights, and to build a future where everyone in Canada is truly free to be who they are and love whom they love,” Trudeau said. Love thy neighbor for free and not at the cost of C$100 million.

Sep 1 2022

The Anger Games, Tucker Carlson Outlines the Hatred of Biden Toward a Nation He Divides


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on September 1, 2022 | Sundance

Tucker Carlson delivered a hard-hitting monologue last night, hitting the agenda of the installed occupant of the White House directly on target.  Within the outline, Carlson notes the background of an angry, bitter and disconnected divider-in-chief and the hate-filled agenda he espouses. {Direct Rumble Link}

It is a remarkable moment captured and broadcast by Mr. Carlson, less than 24-hours before Joe Biden is scheduled to lay out his divisive national agenda of hate during a primetime speech on Thursday evening.  WATCH:

.

Sep 1 2022

California Announces Ban on Gas Powered Vehicles Then Announces Energy Emergency Requesting Residents Not to Charge Electric Vehicles


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 31, 2022 | Sundance

A week ago, California state regulators voted to ban the sale of gasoline powered cars by 2035. The goal is to make every vehicle in California an electric vehicle.

However, just a week later, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) issues a flex alert for the Labor Day holiday weekend asking people not to charge electric vehicles because the power grid cannot handle the demand.  [Alert Notice]

The Flex Alert for Thursday, Sept. 1 is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the grid is most stressed from higher demand and less solar energy. During that time, consumers are urged to conserve power by setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, if health permits, avoiding use of major appliances and turning off unnecessary lights. They should also avoid charging electric vehicles while the Flex Alert is in effect.

To minimize discomfort and help with grid stability, consumers are also encouraged to pre-cool their homes and use major appliances and charge electric vehicles and electronic devices before 4 p.m., when conservation begins to become most critical. (LINK)

Aug 31 2022

Taiwan to Destroy Chinese Drones


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Aug 31, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

https://video.udn.com/news/1245480

The video above has gone viral, depicting Taiwanese soldiers throwing rocks at drones believed to be sent by China. Reports are circulating that Taiwan also allowed store-bought civilian drones to enter its airspace, which leaves many to wonder how they can compete against China’s military surveillance. Backed by the US, Taiwan is beginning to push back against China and its One China policy. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has reported that they will begin to shoot down Chinese drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The MND said that it plans to invest in anti-drone defense systems over the next four years to the tune of $141 million. There have been 23 drone spottings in Taiwan since Pelosi’s reckless visit. It should be worth noting that Taiwan donated 800 carpet bomber drones and 860 combat drones to Ukraine to combat Russia. China is taking notes from Russia, while Taiwan is taking notes from Ukraine. Why would Taiwan offer a vast quantity of drones to Ukraine if they are in need of their own protection?

The simple answer is that support from the US has emboldened Taiwan. They do not fear an escalation of tensions when US warships are passing through its waters. Time will tell how China responds as the One China policy is under fire.

Aug 31 2022

The Energy Economy


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 30, 2022 | Sundance

Let’s say you are an average household with an income around $100,000/yr who has an increase in electricity rates from $300 to $500 due to Joe Biden’s new national energy policy known as the Green New Deal.  That’s $200 more per month for this initial economic/energy “transition” moment.

That extra $200/month equates to $2,400 per year.

That $2,400 per year is static economic activity.  Meaning nothing additional was created, and nothing additional was generated.  The captured $2,400 is simply an increase in the price of a preexisting expense.

Take that expense and expand it to your community of 100 friends and family households.  The $2,400 now becomes $240,000 in cost that doesn’t generate anything.  $240,000 is removed from the community economy.  $240,000 is no longer available for purchasing other goods or services within this community of 100 households.

The economic purchasing power of the 100-household community is reduced by $240,000 per year.

Take that expense and expand it to your county of 10,000 households.  Now you are reducing the county economic activity by $24 million.  In this county of 10,000 households, $24 million in economic transactions have been wiped out.  Meals at restaurants, purchases of goods and services, or any other spending of the $24 million within the county of 10,000 households (approximately 25,000 residents) has been lost.

Now expand that expense to a larger county, quantified as a mid-size county, of 50,000 households.  The mid-sized county has lost $120 million in household economic activity, simply to sustain the status quo on electricity rates.  Nothing extra has been generated. $120 million is lost.  The activity within the county of 50,000 households shrinks by $120 million.

Expand that expense to a large county of 100,000 households, and the lost economic activity is $240 million.

Expand that expense to a small state of 1 million households (2.5 million residents), and the lost economic activity is $2.4 billion.

Expand that expense to a state with 5 million households (approximately 12 million residents) and the economic cost is $12 billion in lost economic activity unrelated to the expense of maintaining the status-quo on electricity use.   This state loses $12 billion in purchases of goods and services, just to retain current energy use.

These examples only touch on household expenses.  The community, county and state business expenses for offices, supermarkets, stores, etc. are in addition to the households quoted.

Meanwhile the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the community, county and state, remains static because the GDP is calculated on the total value of goods and services generated in dollar terms.  The appearance of a static GDP is artificial.  In real Main Street terms, $12 billion in economic activity is lost, but the price or increased value of electricity hides the drop created by the absence of goods and services purchased.

Fewer goods and services are purchased and consumed.  However, statistically the inflated price of electricity gives the illusion of a status quo economy.

Now expand that perspective to a national level and you can see our current economic condition.