David Hughes is a geoscientist who has studied the energy resources of Canada for nearly four decades, including 32 years with the Geological Survey of Canada as a scientist and research manager. He developed a National Coal Inventory for Canada and coordinated a comprehensive assessment of Canada’s unconventional natural gas potential as Team Leader for Unconventional Gas on the Canadian Gas Potential Committee. In 2008, David founded Global Sustainability Research Inc., a consultancy dedicated to research on energy and sustainability issues. Clients have covered the ideological spectrum from multinational energy companies, including Imperial Oil and Forbes Energy Group, municipal governments, including the City of Edmonton, the Canadian Federal Government, including the Petroleum Resources Branch of Natural Resources Canada, and environmental groups, including ForestEthics. Over the past decade, he has researched, published and lectured widely on global energy and sustainability issues in North America and internationally. He is a board member of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas – Canada and is a Fellow of the Post Carbon Institute. His work has been featured in the popular press, radio, television and other public media. He is a sought after speaker on global and North American energy issues, as well as on specific aspects of energy including shale gas, coalbed methane, LNG exports, pipeline infrastructure development, scaling issues with alternatives and considerations for long term energy security and sustainability. In recent years he has addressed nearly 200 venues on these issues ranging from municipal-, provincial/state- and Federal-governments, through scientific conferences, universities, environmental groups and industry associations.

Recent Work Related to Healthy Energy:

Lectures, debates, briefings, and other oral presentations:

The Energy Sustainability Dilemma youtube

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Selected Publications:

  • Hughes, D. (2013). Drilling California: A reality check on the Monterey shale. Post Carbon Institute/PSE Healthy Energy. Dec 2013. Full Report
  • Hughes, D. (2013). Drill Baby Drill: Can unconventional fuels usher in a new era of energy adundance? Post Carbon Institute. Feb 2013. Full Report
  • Hughes, D. (2011). Will Natural Gas Fuel America in the 21st Century? Post Carbon Institute. May 2011. Full Report
  • Hughes, D. (2011). Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Shale Gas Compared to Coal: An Analysis of Two Conflicting Studies. Post Carbon Institute. Jun 2011. Full Report