In Extraenvironmentalist #31 we speak with Dr. Joseph Tainter about collapse, complexity and energy. Dr. Tainter recently co-authored Drilling Down which explains why the BP Gulf Oil spill occurred in terms of the complexity that supports our society. We discuss concepts of complexity, energy and a meaningful definition of sustainability. In our conversation, Dr. Tainter covers the dynamics of the Roman Empire as it moved further down the road of collapse; debasing its currency and unraveling due the expenses of foreign wars. Seth and I ask if energy alternatives exist that can support civilization, such as from using solar photovoltaics or wind power. If they can’t, are we trapped in a complexity spiral with no way out?
Simplifying Complexity
By Justin Ritchie, originally published by The Extraenvironmentalist
December 20, 2011
Justin Ritchie
Justin is in Vancouver, BC where he reads books, researches energy, carbon and financial systems at the University of British Columbia Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability while occasionally walking in the forest.
Tags: Culture & Behavior, Fossil Fuels, Oil, Technology
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