Energy and Human Evolution

Life on Earth is driven by energy. Autotrophs take it from solar radiation and heterotrophs take it from autotrophs. Energy captured slowly by photosynthesis is stored up, and as denser reservoirs of energy have come into being over the course of Earth’s history, heterotrophs that could use more energy evolved to exploit them, Homo sapiens is such a heterotroph; indeed, the ability to use energy extrasomatically (outside the body) enables human beings to use far more energy than any other heterotroph that has ever evolved.

Conoco deals ANWR drilling a blow

ConocoPhillips’ decision to bow out of a lobbying group focused on opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling means that two of the largest operators on Alaska’s North Slope are no longer actively advocating exploration in the refuge.

Peak Oil?

Long discussion of oil fundamentals, particularly the complexity & dynamics of markets, followed by superficial look at likelihood of production peak and potential of alternatives.