JUST over a year ago, climate activists were breathing a sigh of relief at news that a planned new oilfield in the North Sea, Cambo, was to be shelved after investor Shell pulled out. At the time, New Scientist speculated this might “mark the end of new oil and gas extraction in the region”.
If only. Last month, the UK government confirmed that it will press ahead with new rounds of licensing for oil and gas. A decision is also pending on an oilfield called Rosebank, the largest undeveloped resource in the North Sea.
On the surface this looks …