IDEAS21

My main topic of research over the past few years has been the troika of major global challenges, namely peak oil, climate change and the financial crisis, their interactions, and their implications for South Africa.

Here are some of my recent research papers:

• Risks to Global Trade and Implications for South Africa’s Economy and Policy (2006)
• The Impact of Oil Price Shocks on the South African Macroeconomy: History and Prospects (2006)
• Peak Oil and South Africa: Impacts and Mitigation (2007)
• Energy Resource Dependence and Use in Southern Africa: Opportunities and Challlenges(2007)
• Implications of Global Oil Depletion for Transport Planning in SA (2008)
• Potential Impacts of a Global Cap & Share Scheme on South Africa (2008)

… and published newspaper articles:

• “Renewable Energy the Way to Go,” Cape Times, 24/5/2006.
• “On the Other Side of the Oil ‘Peak’”, Business Day, 2/08/2006.
• “Trouble in the Straits of Hormuz,” Business Day, 13/2/2007.
• “Biofuel Plans Bring New Problems,” Cape Times, 22/03/2007.
• “AsgiSA must cushion future oil shocks.” Cape Times, 7/04/2007.
• “In the rough seas of world’s oil trading, South Africa could act as a rudder.” Cape Times, 17/05/2007.
• “Global challenges call for local action.” Cape Times, 21/08/2007.
• “Unless we change, big shocks await us.” Cape Argus, 29/08/2007.
• “Pipe dream of infinite fuel is a costly myth.” Business Report, 5/09/2007.
• “Straight lines are taking us down a catastrophic path.” Business Day, 5/03/2008.
• “The new limits to growth.” Mail & Guardian, 10/3/2008.
• “It pays to be smart when the fuel price bites.” Cape Argus, 4/07/2008.
• “The case for a windfall tax on synfuels.” Cape Times, 7/08/2008.
• “Is Sasol an asset or a liability?” IOL, 7/07/2008.

I have been quoted in other media articles:

• “Alternative energy movement can be Africa’s feast or famine.” Business Report, 4/04/2007.
• “How the SA economy can survive the oil crisis.” Leader, 16/06/2008.
• “A future without oil.” Cape Times, 8/09/2008.
• “Euros to electrify Africa.” Newstoday, 17/09/2008.