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Peak Oil Media: Matt Simmons gets more pessimistic on CNBC, Heinberg, and others…
The Oil Drum
A Matt Simmons phone interview on CNBC, in which Matt sounds a very loud and certain clarion call about our direction–calling it (potentially) “The Great American Disaster.” I think it is safe to say that Matt has gotten pretty pessimistic, even doomerish lately.
Under the fold, more from Richard Heinberg with a great review of accelerating events, Phil Hart talks peak oil on Aussie TV, KrisCan interviews Andre Angelantoni about post-peak life, and David Bell of ASPO-Oz appears on Bloomberg.
(12 July 2008)
Peak oil: why didn’t someone warn us?
Alan Moir, Sydney Morning Herald via Peak Energy
CARTOON
(12 July 2008)
The original was at SMH archives, but it may not be there for long. I couldn’t find a permanent link, but it should be reachable at Big Gav’s site.
Interview with Pedro Prieto of AEREN (Spanish member of ASPO)
Alex Fernandez Muerza, consumer.es via Middle East Online
With the arrival of peak oil production, the oil coming out of the oilfields is of lesser quality and costs more energy to obtain, says Pedro Prieto.
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Since 2006, Spain’s membership in ASPO has been represented by AEREN, the Association for the Study of Energy Resources. ASPO (Association for the Study of Peak Oil) is a network of organizations in more than 20 countries dedicated to the study of peak oil – the moment at which maximum oil production is reached and afterwards begins its decline. Its Vice President, Pedro Prieto (Madrid, 1950), doesn’t mince words: he stresses that no more than three decades worth of oil remain, insists that the energy situation in Spain is dire, that the days of gas and nuclear power are numbered as well, and insists that the defenders of renewable energy are well removed from reality. In his opinion, without a reduction in the consumption of energy and a radical change in the present development model, it’s impossible to tackle the approaching energy and social crisis. In October, ASPO will hold its 7th annual conference in Barcelona.
Is the strike by the truckers and fishing fleets over higher fuel costs a symptom of the end of oil?
It’s one more episode that will happen more often as it’s confirmed that worldwide oil production has reached its peak, without a predictable substitute on the horizon for oil (and no time to think of one), which is being consumed at the rate of 85 million barrels a day and on which 95% of transportation is based, worldwide.
What is Spain’s energy situation?
Dire, since Spain’s dependence on foreign produced energy and fuel is overwhelming.
Pedro Prieto is the Vice President of the Association for the Study of Energy Resources (AEREN). Alex Fernandez Muerza is journalist specialized in Science and Technology. This interview originally appeared in consumer.es. It was translated from Spanish to English by Machetera, a member of Tlaxcala.
(12 July 2008)
Interesting that this article was published in English by Middle East Online.
Oil shortage will become a local issue
Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun
A group of activists concerned about dwindling oil resources is calling on Vancouver City Council to start turning the global issue into a local one.
They want the city to establish a task force to help citizens adjust to new realities at the gas pump, and beyond.
The 19-member Vancouver Peak Oil Executive, which includes energy consultants, community organizers and artists, aims to “build awareness of the potential effects on metro Vancouver of an imminent shortage of oil and other critical natural resources.”
… Vancouver’s peak oil executives try to take the sting out of it by citing some reasons to welcome big-ticket gasoline.
Higher shipping costs will force globalized jobs to return to North America.
Companies, colleges and governments will move to four-day work weeks to save energy. Utah has just announced such a regime for state employees.
Also south of the border, traffic dropped by more than two per cent in the first quarter of 2008. In Canada, fuel consumption between May 2007 and 2008 dropped by three per cent, suggesting traffic must be down here too.
Cities will be less polluted, leading to health benefits. Wasteful fuel use will be reduced; drivers will junk their SUVs. Car insurance rates will decline by 10 to 15 per cent. Car accident deaths are expected to drop by one third annually.
(12 July 2008)
Hawaii state senator: Get ready for PO
Sen. Will Espero (D-Ewa), Hawaii Reporter
The Achievable Imperative
… This current economic crisis is a precursor to one that may happen in the not too distant future. Last month the International Energy Association announced that we will reach peak oil in five years because the global demand for fossil fuel has accelerated faster than expected. Gas prices in Hawaii have nearly tripled in the last five years, without the demand crunch. Hawaii depends on fossil fuel for more than 90% of its energy needs, making it vulnerable to the approaching global intersect of peak demand and peak oil production capacity.
Hawaii already has one of the highest costs of living, gas prices, and market priced homes in the United States. The unavailability of fossil fuels, would create conditions that we cannot afford. We need to become as much independent from fossil fuel as soon as we can.
… Getting independent from foreign oil is great for Hawaii. Local businesses would benefit if we kept our hard earned dollars here rather than sending them out to foreign oil suppliers. Lower utility costs means more disposable income for residents and more profit for businesses. We can shield ourselves from spikes in gas prices, and the ripple effects such as business closures, lay-offs, and home foreclosures.
Transitioning away from fossil fuel is an achievable imperative. The key is in the aggregate: reducing local demand and increasing local production, hitting as many points as possible to achieve overall reduction in consumption and increase in self sufficiency. Here are some ideas on reducing Hawaii’s vulnerability to the five-years-away global energy crisis.
(11 July 2008)
Willie Espero according to dKosopedia: “is a member of the Democratic Party represents the 20th Senatorial District in the Hawaii State Senate of the Hawaii State Legislature. The 20th senatorial district includes Waipahu, Honouliuli and Ewa. Espero first won this Senate seat in 2002.”
