THERE has been an unexpected boon as the planet earth is getting hotter. This time, winter in Europe is warmer than previously estimated. Since there is no jump in energy needs for household heaters, the price of natural gas slumped across Europe.

Going as high as US$48 per metric million British thermal unit (mmbtu) last December, the price of natural gas in Europe dropped to US$19 per mmbtu last week. Stocks in storage tanks are still at 80