Jeff Vail’s “A Theory of Power”

Rhizome-based structures need to replace hierarchical ones, Vail argues, in all areas of our society — social, political, economic, educational etc. to entrench the power and sustainability of self-sufficient communities and render them invulnerable to re-expropriation of that power by hierarchies.

Peak oil – Dec 4

Ask Umbra: good to the last drop
TOD debate on the timing of peak oil
PayPal’s Thiel bets big on peak oil
‘Mad Max’ co-author on peak oil
Portland group plans for peak oil

NASA: alternative fuels for aviation

A technical report from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which does a good job in pointing out the problems that need to be overcome if we plan to use alternative fuels to replace declining production.

Copernicus, Darwin and the cure for autistic economics

As the biosphere presses its limits upon us in the areas of energy, climate, water, soil and pollution, the neoclassical economic view that human ingenuity will allow the species to ignore every other species on the planet and grow the world economy indefinitely has become life threatening, even civilization threatening.

Renewables – Dec 3

Nepal introduces new rural energy policy
UN conference on bio-fuels
Solar power in San Francisco
Bacteria could be the source of an unlimited supply of power (?)

A green PM for Canada?

Canada’s new Liberal leader – first green PM?
On Dion
Dion says he’ll honor Kyoto commitment
The red-green show: shades of things to come

Peak oil – Dec 3

Pentagon & peak oil – then (1957) and now
Amory Lovins on energy alternatives
Closing the ‘Collapse Gap’: prospects for the U.S. based on the Soviet experience