University of California, Los Angeles
Professor of Political Science at UCLA and author of The Oil Curse: How Petroleum Wealth Shapes the Development of Nations
PROFILE
Michael Ross
Guest
FROM Michael Ross
To the Point
'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad? With twice the oil and three times the natural gas previously estimated — and plenty of coal -- in just a few years the US could produce more fuel than it burns. But America's "energy independence" could lead to economic upheaval in countries that depend on energy exports, which could spell big trouble for global stability. Beyond that, while oil and natural gas burn cleaner than coal, they're still fossil fuels and, with the latest technology, they might never run out. Would that kill economic incentives for alternative energy sources and the political will to deal with climate change before it's too late?
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To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.