Peak Oil Review — April 23, 2007
An executive summary of weekly news from a peak oil perspective.
Peak oil – Apr 24
NY Times coverage of PO – “A very bad idea”
Global warming and the coming peaks in oil, gas and coal production
Oil depletion in English as a Second Language (ESL) format
Chris Vernon Responds to George Monbiot
A world without oil, in a game
Implications of “peak oil” for atmospheric CO2 and climate
Peaking of global oil production may have a large effect on future atmospheric CO2 amount and climate change, depending upon choices made for subsequent energy sources.
We suggest that, if estimates of oil and gas reserves by the Energy Information Administration are realistic, it is feasible to keep atmospheric CO2 from exceeding approximately 450 ppm, provided that future exploitation of the vast reservoirs of coal and unconventional fossil fuels incorporates carbon capture and sequestration. [Excerpts]
Our world is finite: Is this a problem?
We all know the world is finite. We also know that growth is central to our way of life. At some point, growth in resource utilization must collide with the fact that the world is finite. We are now reaching that point. (Includes discussion questions)
Climate – Apr 23
Norway aims for zero-carbon status by 2050
China says warming threatens development
Six steps to hell: new book on climate futures
Australian beach protest
Power by the people – Apr 23
Cities to generate local renewable energy
Fossil free by ’33
Embrace efficiency, one watt at a time
Housing & urban – Apr 23
Where we live may be to blame for obesity
Corporate subsidies that feed sprawl
New book: How Green is Your City?
Solutions & sustainability – Apr 23
Ashes to ashes isn’t such a hot idea
WSJ: Doing the math on carbon neutrality
More retailers go for green — the eco kind
How do you end up at Findhorn?
Transport – Apr 23
Farther, faster? Not anymore (Tainter at work)
Fill ‘er up. But with what? (Making ethanol more efficient)
Norwegian authorities fear steep crude decline
The Norwegian Oil Director is establishing “a slow and gradual decline” as a best case scenario for Norway, concluding that “serious efforts must be made in several areas” to achieve it. The alternative scenario? Steep decline.
I dream of green schools
I dream of “green” schools in my community; of parents, students, teachers, and administrators working together to make our children’s education sustainable and earth-friendly.
Construction starts on world’s largest solar array
A groundbreaking will take place Monday at Nellis Air Force Base, just north of Las Vegas, Nevada, in the desolate, arid, windswept Mojave Desert. The ceremony will initiate construction on what will be the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) array in the United States, capable of producing 15-18 megawatts of power. The project highlights both the promise and the pitfalls of PV.
