Fossil fuels supply 80% of the world's energy needs and, as the main driver of China's and India's growth, they will remain pre-eminent for decades.

ECONOMIST: Energy

Many economic studies have cited ethanol production as the single most important driver of recent world food price increases.

CNN: A Florida-first primary is a fantastic idea

As the driver of the world's great opening, America has gained hugely in terms of power and prestige, but the extraordinary burst of growth that globalisation has triggered has also lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty over the past few decades and brought lower prices to consumers everywhere.

ECONOMIST: Barack Obama and free trade