Initially, about 100 years ago, automobiles were a luxury item for the rich living in the Western world. Then, cars gradually became a mass consumption item for all people living in industrialized countries. Now, the phenomenon has gone global. Which of these statements about today’s global automotive industry are true?
August 2012
Tarring the Future of the World
In the United States, many voices are singing the praises of shale gas. They see it as a long-awaited avenue to reduce the country’s dependence on energy imports. Similar hopes are raised about fully utilizing the oil from the enormous tar sands deposits in Canada. Which of the following statements about oil from Canada’s tar sands is true?
Youth Unemployment Reconsidered
We have all read the alarming headlines: Half of all young people in Spain and Greece are unemployed. So are around a quarter of all young people in Italy, France and the UK. But it turns out there is a problem with the way youth unemployment rates are calculated. We wonder: Which number below is a truer reflection of the level of youth unemployment in Spain?
Olympic Power Houses: Citius, Altius, Fortius … Electricus?
All eyes are on London for the 2012 Olympics. While thousands of lucky fans have traveled to the British capital to cheer on their favorite athletes, billions more will watch on televisions, computers and mobile devices at home. We wonder: How much energy does the average Briton consume each year for residential electricity and heat?