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.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 4:51 pm
I see the fucking illusion. Headaches have kick in and bone pain on my right leg.
rrr on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:02 pm
My fucking eyes are all watery now. Colors on my computer screen look more vivid. Fucking skin on my forearms burn. I have been dealing with this shit for the last 2 years now.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:09 pm
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE guess what happens when Aus. Mary Luise McLaws MUZZ-19 herlsef with reckless abandonment on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:22 pm
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE guess what happens when California elite whitey supertard Aiden Kocalis MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:26 pm
i am highly elated to appoint supertard eee supertard his title is ‘the lover’
of supremacist muzzies
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE guess what happens when LATAM Airlines Captain Ivan Andaur MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonment on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:32 pm
i am highly elated to appoint supertard eee supertard his title is ‘the lover’
of supremacist muzzies
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE guess what happens when TREES LGBTQXYZMNEO1 Founder and President elite whitey supertard Meghan Buell MUZZ-19 themselves with reckless abandonment on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 5:35 pm
i am highly elated to appoint supertard eee supertard his title is ‘the lover’
of supremacist muzzies
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
Quran (4:76) – “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan)” The Arabic for the word “fight” is from qital, meaning physical combat.
guess what happens when LATAM Airlines Captain Ivan Andaur MUZZ-19 himself with reckless abandonmentSHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 6:06 pm
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
Quran (4:76) – “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan)” The Arabic for the word “fight” is from qital, meaning physical combat.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 6:37 pm
My skin burn too much. Especially the legs and arms. I need a shower. Water usually decreases skin pain. I had to take a nap. Man I am surprised that I am still on planet earth. I thought either I die or I leave earth.
I thought that was it. IF it is not time, if could be next time.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 6:41 pm
I told you I will leave earth and the rest of planet earth will die here.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 6:44 pm
IT came really close today. Either I was dying or I was leaving earth.
eeee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 7:02 pm
I am surprised that I am still alive or on earth. I started to see color sports when my eyes were close. I thought that was it.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 7:09 pm
‘POLAR BLAST’ HITS AUSTRALIA; SOLAR HUSH; + AVOIDING THE STUPIDITY OF FEAR-INFECTED CROWDS
https://electroverse.info/polar-australia-solar-hush-the-stupidity-of-crowds/
I thought I was leaving earth. Maybe it is time for me to leave before I die here of cold.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 7:12 pm
Either way, if I die here on earth or leave, I have already won, you have already lost.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 7:54 pm
I am surprised I am still alive or on earth. At one point with my eyes closed I was seeing spots of colors and some kinds of energy spots.
It not the first time I have the feeling that I am about to leave earth, but this one was the most intense.
I have already won, you have already lost.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:07 pm
All I do is sleep. When I feel good I rush to do important tasks, because I know it won’t last.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:10 pm
I still have itchy skin and I feel dizzy even after taking a shower. Man, that was a rough one.
ee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:17 pm
I am not going to forget this one, unless the next on is worst.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:29 pm
I see it coming again. Another episode of body update. My guess is that in a hour from now I will be in bed.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:33 pm
I can feel these things, I know when they are coming institutively. Most of the time I am right. Fuck I hate my life.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:43 pm
It is coming for another round I can feel it.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:56 pm
It is coming. I am being bombarded by energy. My skin itches. The top of my head is being bombarded by energy beam. It is like I am receiving a brain surgery.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:58 pm
Yeah open brain surgery done in real time. This is how it feels.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 8:58 pm
Really fucking nice.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:23 pm
Really fucking nice, open brain surgery in real time. I am back in bed. I went smoking outside, I had to hold tight the ramp on my front porch. I thought the ground was about to disappear below me and I could not hold my balance.
Really fucking nice.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:31 pm
I am curious to see if I will be alive tomorrow morning or if I will still be on planet earth.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:44 pm
My fucking skin itch like crazy.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:47 pm
It is going to be a long fucking night if I cannot fall asleep.
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:55 pm
Quran (4:76) – “Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan)” The Arabic for the word “fight” is from qital, meaning physical combat.
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 9:56 pm
You have to see it to believe it. Once you see the skin of your body changed, it changes your whole perception of this world.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 10:14 pm
Fucking skin of my legs is burning and itching. I usually associate that with a fast body update. The brain surgery stuff has diminished in intensity.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 10:32 pm
0:05 look at the face of the bitch, she looks like an animal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2UiLMSIAfc
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 10:35 pm
Who made your necks longer, who gave you black iris eyes, GOD and I. I own you and your souls.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 10:37 pm
You are now my possession to be used as GOD and I see fit.
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 10:43 pm
Your trees, your souls, your life, your wild animals, your oceans, the air, the water, the fire, the wind and much more all belong to me.
I will use the fire, the wind, the air to destroyed what belong to me, the whole planet earth.
Hurricane Hilary’s rise to category four sees Southern California on alert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnX73RhNozQ
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 11:04 pm
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
eee on Fri, 18th Aug 2023 11:22 pm
They are not making fun of the people in the video. What are they making fun of.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KM2v4c2nVs
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND guess what happens when elite whitey supertard Krocks in the Kitchen Jessica Krock MUZZ-19 herlself with reckless abandonment TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 1:46 am
supertards please change ur undies after 5 weeks to prevent the spread of convid-19
do it for urself, for the love of supremacist muzzies, for ur friends
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND guess what happens when elite whitey supertard Krocks in the Kitchen YouTube Star Jessica Krock MUZZ-19 herlself with reckless abandonment TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 1:50 am
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 2:01 am
Je viens juste de prendre une autre douche. Je viens encore de voir l’illusion pendant que je prenais ma douche. Tabernacle que ca soulage.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 4:31 am
You should have killed me last night during my sleep. If I ever leave earth I will kill my creator for what he did to me.
Using my immediate family to manipulate me is really low. If indeed I was a king in the past, I will not be reseated as a King. I will abdicate my throne and kill you.
This has not changed and will never change. To believe that the comments I made above mean that we have done peace, you are greatly mistaken. You have to die there is no other around that. If I ever leave earth and I can kill the people responsible for my misery I will do it without hesitation.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 4:35 am
There are things you simply don’t do, like using the immediate family of someone to manipulate him. You did that multiple time during my life. You have to die, you have no morality. I will not be reseated as a King if I was a King the past. I will kill you if I can.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 4:51 am
I will help you kill all the population of the earth and destroyed earth. After that if I can will kill all the beings responsible for my misery such as my creator.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 4:54 am
no peace between us will never be possible. you have to die. I will help you deal with earth, after that I will deal with you.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 5:34 am
Just to make, my creator is the one I consider responsible for all my misery and pain. We will deal with earth for the present moment, after that I will try to kill my creator if I can.
There will never be any peace between me and my creator. My creator has to die and me after that.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 5:47 am
No wedding will take place between me and my supposed called energic wife. She will also be killed with my creator if I can. There will be no wedding taking place among us, I want her dead also.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 6:09 am
If I am capable of I will kill everyone living on planet earth and I will set earth on fire,
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND guess what happens when elite whitey supertard Krocks in the Kitchen YouTube Star Jessica Krock MUZZ-19 herlself with reckless abandonment TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 9:53 am
supertards please be ease we love muzz
SHOCKER: ANAL PROLAPSE CAPTURE RICH MEN NORTH OF RICHMOND guess what happens when elite whitey supertard Olympic Swimmer Helen Don-Duncan MUZZ-19 herlself with reckless abandonment TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR TMFINR on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 11:28 am
Quran (2:216) – “Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.” Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot.
eee on Sat, 19th Aug 2023 2:56 pm
Some more open brain surgery on the way, fuckers.