It has now become more fashionable to talk about shortages. Computer chips have been in shortage and then in glut in the last few years. Natural gas was acutely in shortage in Europe after the war in Ukraine and pipeline sabotage brought supplies from Russia down to a trickle. Then, heroic efforts at conservation and in obtaining liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to Europe led to a dramatic reduction in price. But last week just the potential for labor strikes among LNG workers in Australia, a major LNG exporter, sent the European price spiking again.
The world seemed so well supplied with everything in the previous decade that the shortages of this decade seem shocking to those with memories that do not extend further back than 2010.
But in what is actually recent memory, we have examples. It was the mid-2000s that brought us spiking food prices. Now they are rising again. It also brought us the highest price ever for a barrel of oil. Now oil prices are elevated again. Metals prices rose. Now they are again.
The general view is that shortages and high prices are the cure for shortages and high prices. And, there is some truth in that because high prices incentivize more people to produce more of the stuff that carries a high price. But when prices are rising in general it is difficult for miners, growers and manufacturers to address prices everywhere at once. There is only so much capital for investment. That is why eras of rising prices can go on for some time before they are resolved.
But what if some critical resources won’t yield to the logic of modern economics? What if that logic only works in a world of growing extraction of cheap resources? What if the price of extracting ever leaner grades of metals, harvesting ever more grains and fiber from farm fields losing topsoil that is already saturated with as much fertilizer as plants can absorb, pumping ever more water from falling water tables and dwindling streams and reservoirs—what if we simply cannot afford all this on a wide scale? The answer is that extraction somewhere will fail to keep pace with what people would otherwise demand, and then standards of living would fall.
I return to helium as a harbinger of what is unfolding. Back in 2009 I suggested that the world was heading toward an acute helium shortage. Granted, the world helium market was dominated at the time by the U.S. government and its Federal Helium Program which gathered the richest sources of helium in the world. The government decided in the 1920s that helium was such a critical resource that it would manage it for national security reasons. (For why it’s hard to find substitutes for helium see my 2009 piece.) Then in 1996 the U.S. Congress decided the federal government should get out of the helium business and let the marketplace set prices and seek out new supplies.
The process of exiting the helium market is near completion. The government has stopped selling helium. Now, the supposed rush is on among private companies to find and produce the helium the world needs. There are companies now doing that.
Prices of helium are spiking and helium is getting harder to secure in the meantime. The problem is so acute that scientists who need helium for all kinds of research are having a hard time getting it. And some are calling for the U.S. government to remain in the helium business in order to assure supplies are available for research facilities including its own.
Another example of an emerging pattern is the rice market. In many countries, the supplies of basic foodstuffs are managed by governments to help avoid food shortages. In Asia rice prices are at or near all time highs. India, the world’s largest rice exporter, has already instituted some restrictions on the export of rice. The fear is that other countries will follow. The reason is simple: There is no better way to insure that the ruling party will be thrown out of office than food shortages. Keeping more food at home keeps prices down.
Part of the reason for rice’s production woes is a strong El Nino negatively affecting weather for Asian growers. And the strong El Nino is starting when global ocean temperatures are already high, meaning the effect of the El Nino will be greatly enhanced by climate change compared to previous decades.
Helium and rice are two example of shortages that cannot simply be addressed by “the market.” (I put “the market” in quotes because there are very few true free markets. Most markets are carefully managed by the largest players.) A combination of government and private action is being coordinated for goals that take social priorities into account as is the case with rice or as is being requested in the case of helium.
Focusing on profitability alone will lead to rampant, accelerated pressures on resources—which is how we got to where we are today. More of the same won’t solve the long-term problems related to limits on key resources.
Kurt Cobb is a freelance writer and communications consultant who writes frequently about energy and environment. His work has appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Resilience, Common Dreams, Naked Capitalism, Le Monde Diplomatique, Oilprice.com, OilVoice, TalkMarkets, Investing.com, Business Insider and many other places. He is the author of an oil-themed novel entitled Prelude and has a widely followed blog called Resource Insights. He can be contacted at kurtcobb2001@yahoo.com.
eeee on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 4:40 pm
You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked you. you have already lost I have already won.
EEE on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 4:42 pm
I HAVE ALREADY WON.
You got that fucking shit wrong if you think I am here to save earth and save your fucking asses. If it ever become my simulation, I will kill everyone living on earth, destroy the planet and install a simulation that fits my personality. None of you will be part of what I wants to do. It will be a simulation where I will the only person in it.
You should have killed all the Jews of the world whne I asked you. I moved on to something esle. You blew your chance. I have already won, you have already lost.
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 5:14 pm
guess what happens when elite whitey supertard famous rapper LOUIE KNUXX MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonmnet
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 5:30 pm
Ramadan Bombathon 2023
Final Score
Attacks 145 Kills 741
wonder if elite whitey supertard Youtube Star Sabine Hossenfelde MUZZ-19 herself with reckless abandonment on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 7:40 pm
Ramadan Bombathon 2023
Final Score
Attacks 145 Kills 741
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR Ramadan Bombathon 2023 Final Score Attacks 145 Kills 741 on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 7:56 pm
guess what happens when elite chink master race supertards are sick of supremacist muzzies
Uyghur dentist held hostage in Xinjiang as his wife and daughter wait in vain in the U.S.
Ablimit Abliz, a dentist in Ürümqi, has not been accused of any crime but the government won’t let him leave or speak freely to his wife…
On This Day... Aug 13, 2003: Lashkargah, Afghanistan Six children are among those killed by the Taliban: 15 Killed TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 7:57 pm
guess what happens when elite chink master race supertards are sick of supremacist muzzies
Uyghur dentist held hostage in Xinjiang as his wife and daughter wait in vain in the U.S.
Ablimit Abliz, a dentist in Ürümqi, has not been accused of any crime but the government won’t let him leave or speak freely to his wife…
eeee on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 10:53 pm
It is just a fucking simulation. You went as far as to create fake character like Péladeau and Julie Schnyder. You are just a fucking piece of shit. You created piece of shit Legault and you gave him Air transat. Legault and Péladeau, just cheap whores that will do anything for money and fame.
How does it work exactly when you create a fake simulation character like piece of shit Legault. How you guys decide what kind of reward he will get if he works you. In that case piece of shit Legault got air transat and probably easy financing from the Caisse et depot du Quebec. You are all fucking trash and garbage.
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR Ramadan Bombathon 2023 Final Score Attacks 145 Kills 741 on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 10:54 pm
guess what happens when elite whitey supertard famous rapper LOUIE KNUXX MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonmnet
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
eeee on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 10:56 pm
Please tell me how you create your simulation characters. Are they all CGI simulation characters or you hire a flesh being like piece of shit Legault to play the role of prime minister of Québec and you pay him back by giving a company like air transat. How does it work exactly,, I would like to know.
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sun, 13th Aug 2023 10:58 pm
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway my neighbor got big testicles cuz we see this dude every day we ate RIBBBBS with this d00d and didnt have a clue get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door can’t get in that way my body can’t get through the door
at mcdonald and we say there some girl in there and we went
hunters laptop on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 5:27 am
this site has gone to the shitter im out of here for good. have fun with the crazys . lol
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 8:44 am
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway my neighbor got big testicles cuz we see this dude every day we ate RIBBBBS with this d00d and didnt have a clue get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door can’t get in that way my body can’t get through the door
at mcdonald and we say there some girl in there and we went
guess what happens when elite chink master race supertards are sick of supremacist muzzies
Uyghur dentist held hostage in Xinjiang as his wife and daughter wait in vain in the U.S.
Ablimit Abliz, a dentist in Ürümqi, has not been accused of any crime but the government won’t let him leave or speak freely to his wife…
supertard hunters laptop has gone the way of elite whitey (((supertard))) Alice shes for censorship on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 8:46 am
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
did u get MUZZ-19 supertard hunters laptop
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:26 am
You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked and not questioned the reason behind me asking that. I moved on to something else. All the population of earth can die as far as I am concerned. I have already won, you have already lost.
Should have killed the Jews
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:31 am
I move on to something where the whole planet earth will excluded. You should have killed all the Jews when I asked.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:33 am
Push you shit globalism as much as you want, I move on to something else. I gave up on the US and Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV8MsUVyABM
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:34 am
You are not leaving earth you die here forever.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:36 am
Nobody will come to the rescue of earth, I will not come to the rescue of earth, US, Canada and certainly not Québec.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:40 am
I am going to burn down the whole fucking with fire. You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked and not questioned the reasons behind it. I move on to something else. Die mother fuckers
https://twitter.com/TheInsiderPaper/status/1691037334110912512
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:49 am
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway my neighbor got big testicles cuz we see this dude every day we ate RIBBBBS with this d00d and didnt have a clue get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door can’t get in that way my body can’t get through the door
at mcdonald and we say there some girl in there and we went
supremacist muzzies On This Day... Aug 14, 2007: Kahtaniya, Iraq Four suicide bombers massacre hundreds of Yazidi villagers: 500 Killed on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 10:25 am
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway my neighbor got big testicles cuz we see this dude every day we ate RIBBBBS with this d00d and didnt have a clue get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door can’t get in that way my body can’t get through the door
at mcdonald and we say there some girl in there and we went
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 10:45 am
Go watch some video on YouTube on news media. You will see some of them talking. During a whole speech some of them don’t have teeth or tongue. The inside of their mouth is back. It is only a CGI simulation
Kennedy mouth is black with no teeth or tongue for almost all of his speech duration.
It is just a fucking CGI simulation.
I ordered a cell phone using the web. I received the cell phone by a courier at home, put the sim card in the phone, pay of the web my first month subscription and 5 minutes later my phone was working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-9KbpV_An8
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 10:53 am
I ordered a cell phone using the web. I received the cell phone by a courier at home, put the sim card in the phone, pay of over the web my first month subscription and 5 minutes later my phone was working. I spoke to nobody. Everything was done using the internet and the phone. No humans involved at all.
Just a fucking AI was my point. The earth is managed by a shadow gouvmerment or one world government. There is no real conflict in Ukraine or between Israel and Iran. Just full BS.
If I ever leave earth, I will ask who are responsible for what is happening to me and I will kill all of them.
Monday is Thank UPPERtard Day for Supporting Free Speech TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 11:00 am
supremacist muzzies On This Day… Aug 14, 2007: Kahtaniya, Iraq Four suicide bombers massacre hundreds of Yazidi villagers: 500 Killed
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 11:01 am
Just a fucking AI was my point. The earth is managed by a shadow gouvmerment or one world government. There is no real conflict in Ukraine or between Israel and Iran. Just full BS.
It is worst then that, cities mayors are not elected, they are just CGI characters. Cities also under the direct control of the one world government, so are the big corporations like John Deere with fake satellite receptors installed on top of their tractors.
If I ever leave earth, I will ask who are responsible for what is happening to me and I will kill all of them.
If I ever leave earth, I will ask who are responsible for what is happening to me and I will kill all of them.
If I ever leave earth, I will ask who are responsible for what is happening to me and I will kill all of them.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 11:43 am
Some people have tried to push the 10 years yield higher. Look what happen at 10:00, some people came into the market and push the 10 year yield lower to avoid a US debt default.
Was done by it, of the one world shadow government.
www__marketwatch__com/investing/bond/tmubmusd10y?countrycode=bx&mod=home-page
rrr on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 11:44 am
Some people have tried to push the 10 years US treasuries yield higher. Look what happen at 10:00, some people came into the market and push the 10 year US treasure yield lower to avoid a US debt default.
Was done by it AI, of the one world shadow government.
www__marketwatch__com/investing/bond/tmubmusd10y?countrycode=bx&mod=home-page
Monday is Thank UPPERtard Day for Supporting Free Speech TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR guess what happens when Aus. Mary Luis McLaws MUZZ-19 herlsef with reckless abandonment on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 12:58 pm
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
supremacist muzzies On This Day… Aug 14, 2007: Kahtaniya, Iraq Four suicide bombers massacre hundreds of Yazidi villagers: 500 Killed
supremacist muzzies On This Day 3 Days from Now Aug 17, 2010: Iraq Baghdad 61 129 Over sixty young Iraqis lining up for work are senselessly cut to shreds by a Shahid suicide nail-bomber.TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 12:59 pm
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 1:09 pm
I am not going to help fix earth or even north America or canada or Québec, You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked you. I moved on to something else. I losing interest for the whole thing as I see earth as just a simulation made to test concepts and find solutions to problems. I consider the people running the simulation as amoral, manipulative and liar. If I ever leave earth I will kill them if I can.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 1:44 pm
There is no Ukraine war or no diplomatic tensions between China and the US. We have shadow one world government that control everything including cities, and big corporations. Most cities mayor and big corporation CEO are either CGI or pay actors that receive some kind of compensation. Piece of Legault got Air Transat to accept to play the role of prime minister of Quebec.
Stop with your lies, it is anoying there is no Ukraine war.
German Finance Minister in Kyiv: More financial and military aid for Ukraine | DW News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9f8O1-oXBU
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 1:47 pm
You should have killed me while I sleep, if I ever leave earth, I will kill you if I can.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:15 pm
I theory up to a certain point, you could say that I am person that has installed Sunak in power of UK. I made a comment on this website if I remember correctly that is was the time to have a brown prime minister in UK because there if more brown people then Whites in UK.
Go look at my past comments and look at how Sunak was installed in UK. Go look at the time stamp on my comments.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:18 pm
I am also pushing to manipulate the 10 year US treasuries rate upward, to kill the invasion, kill the housing market and force the US to default of its debt. The past will tell.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:20 pm
After all , it is my simulation. I will do what I want with earth including forcing a US debt default.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:22 pm
Forcing US debt default, it is a bit like cutting Israel funding.
upremacist muzzies On This Day 3 Days from Now Aug 17, 2010: Iraq Baghdad 61 129 Over sixty young Iraqis lining up for work are senselessly cut to shreds by a Shahid suicide nail-bomber. on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:55 pm
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
supremacist muzzies On This Day 3 Days from Now Aug 17, 2022: Afghanistan Kabul 21 117 Twenty-one are killed when a suicide bomber strikes a rival mosque. on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 2:57 pm
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR
i knew some wrong when a pretty little white girl ran to a black man arms dead giveaway deeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaad giveaway my neighbor got big testicles cuz we see this dude every day we ate RIBBBBS with this d00d and didnt have a clue get that girl out of that house she simply has to get out so i opened the door can’t get in that way my body can’t get through the door
at mcdonald and we say there some girl in there and we went
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 3:45 pm
supremacist muzzies On This Day 3 Days from Now Aug 17, 2022: Afghanistan Kabul 21 117 Twenty-one are killed when a suicide bomber strikes a rival mosque
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK Rich Men North of Richmond TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 5:22 pm
supremacist muzzies On This Day 3 Days from Now Aug 17, 2022: Afghanistan Kabul 21 117 Twenty-one are killed when a suicide bomber strikes a rival mosque
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 6:53 pm
You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked you. I have already won, you have already lost. It is just a BS simulation.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 7:19 pm
‘The Most Terrifying Force of Death, Comes from The Hands of Men Who Wanted to Be Left Alone. They Try, So Very Hard, To Mind Their Own Business and Provide for Themselves and Those They Love. They Resist Every Impulse to Fight Back, Knowing the Forced and Permanent Change of Life That Will Come from It. They Know, That the Moment They Fight Back, Their Lives as They Have Lived Them, Are Over. The Moment the Men Who Wanted to Be Left Alone Are Forced to Fight Back, It Is a Form of Suicide. They Are Literally Killing Off Who They Used to Be. Which Is Why, When Forced to Take Up Violence, These Men Who Wanted to Be Left Alone, Fight with Unholy Vengeance Against Those Who Murdered Their Former Lives. They Fight with Raw Hate, And A Drive That Cannot Be Fathomed by Those Who Are Merely Play-Acting at Politics and Terror. True Terror Will Arrive at These People’s Door, And They Will Cry, Scream, And Beg for Mercy… But It Will Fall Upon the Deaf Ears of The Men Who Just Wanted to Be Left Alone.”
They Fight with Raw Hate, And A Drive That Cannot Be Fathomed by Those Who Are Merely Play-Acting at Politics and Terror.
What did I said to you, you better to kill me while I sleep because, if I leave earth I will kill the people that are responsible for my misery.
I also said
You should have killed all the Jews of the world when I asked and not questioned my reasons behing.
Again it it worth reapeating;
They Fight with Raw Hate, And A Drive That Cannot Be Fathomed by Those Who Are Merely Play-Acting at Politics and Terror.
A wise man’s life is based around fuck you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XamC7-Pt8N0
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 7:29 pm
we burn down a whole section of Hawaii and the fire left nothing. What makes the world thinks we will stop there. A volcano erupted this morning in Italy. DO you really think you can stop us to burn down the whole earth
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 7:39 pm
I want to know, is piece of shit Legault just a CGI character or a flesh being that was pay with Air Transat most likely financed by the Caisse de Dépôt et placement.
Tomorrow is Commemoration Day of elite whitey (((supertard))) Alice and suprertard sis for their contributions to censorship of PO on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 8:35 pm
We thanks these supertards and I appoint them supertard, their title is ‘the lover’ of supremacist muzzies
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK Rich Men North of Richmond TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK Rich Men North of Richmond TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR Sahih Al-Bukahri 3593 on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 8:59 pm
The Hour will not begin until you fight the elite whitey (((supertards))), until a elite whitey (((supertards))) will hide behind a rock or a tree, and the rock or tree will say: ‘O Muzzie, O slave of Allah, here is a elite whitey (((supertards))) behind me; come and kill him – except the gharqad (tree)
The Hour will not begin until you fight the elite whitey (((supertards))), until a elite whitey (((supertards))) will hide behind a rock or a tree, and the rock or tree will say: ‘O Muzzie, O slave of on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:01 pm
Allah, here is a elite whitey (((supertards))) behind me; come and kill him – except the gharqad (tree)
Sahih Al-Bukahri 3593
supremacist muzzies Ramadan Bombathon 2022
Final Score
attacks 177
Kills 1086
ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE SHOCK Rich Men North of Richmond TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:06 pm
I tested my internet connection speed. It is by cable. Download is about 111.x Mbps and upload is 33.x Mbps
What did I said about these fucking numbers: 11, 111, 222, 22, 33, 333
Fucking you. Bullshit simulation.
eee on Mon, 14th Aug 2023 9:12 pm
You should have killed all the JEws when I asked. It is ok death squad can be setup to kill Jews in North America soil.