Peaks and energy problems – Oct 18
– French protests jeopardise airport fuel supplies
– U.S. Study: World’s ‘Peak Coal’ Moment Has Arrived
– Peak Everything
– New book on the Gulf spill
Staff
Peak oil versus peak exports
At the recent (2010) ASPO-USA conference, we reviewed, in our presentation on net oil exports, two examples of production peaks in oil producing regions. We also reviewed “Net Export Math” and we looked at some examples of net export declines. Finally, we reviewed our projections for net oil exports from the top five net oil exporters in 2005, followed by two scenarios for global net oil exports. In this paper we will briefly review the highlights of our presentation.
Dangerous exponentials – a radical take on the future (report excerpt)
Tullett Prebon – a financial intermediary with revenues of around £1bn/year produced a report acknowledging the ‘forest of exponentials’ which is currently observable, and “which is neither properly understood, effectively calibrated or coherently managed… Ultimately, the economy is an energy-driven construct, yet the vital concept of energy returns is woefully misunderstood.”
Deep thought – Oct 18
– Benoit Mandelbrot, Mathematician, Dies at 85
– Japan Goes From Dynamic to Disheartened (a vision of our deflationary future?)
– The economic fallacy of ‘zombie’ Japan (ADDED)
– The Undeserving Rich: Collectively produced and inherited knowledge
– Jerry Mander: Climate change v capitalism: the feast is almost over
– The Upside of Technological Inefficiency
Vaclav Smil’s “Energy Myths and Realities” – A review
Smil is well-respected in the world of energy, so I think it is worthwhile looking at what he has to say about peak oil, because it may give us some insights as to where our thinking needs to be refined, or better explained, if it is to be understood by the “mainstream”.
Tim Jackson on economic growth from this year’s TED Talks
As the world faces recession, climate change, inequity and more, Tim Jackson delivers a piercing challenge to established economic principles, explaining how we might stop feeding the crises and start investing in our future.
An economic irony for the ages
Our psychological health on the issue of growth warrants some serious analysis, and maybe even some therapy.
2010 Local Future conference features Nicole Foss
The 2010 International Conference on the Future: Energy, Economy & Environment examines deflation, collapse, and the transition to sustainability. It features extended keynotes and extensive interaction with Nicole Foss, Joe Tainter, Richard Douthwaite, Steve Keen, David Korowicz, Steve Keen, Chris Bedford, and Aaron Wissner. The conference comences on Friday, Nov. 12 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 14 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Early bird 50% off registration is open through Thursday, Oct. 21.
Web and media – Oct 17
– How fear of bias dominates the climate change debate
– Is Social Networking Useless for Social Change?
– Monbiot: The Values of Everything
Talkin’ triage
“Don’t waste your breath” needs to become a mantra in the peak oil and sustainability communities. The season for arguing with peak oil and climate change deniers has long since passed. Our time is too precious and the need to act too urgent. The time has come for talkin’ triage.
Economics – Oct 17
– The Money Fix – documentary now online
– Tim Jackson’s Economic Reality Check
– Currency wars are necessary if all else fails
Lessons from the early years of offshore wind in Europe
The industry is rapidly becoming a major industrial sector of its own. It is rapidly transforming from an experimental sub-sector into one of the largest infrastructure building activities in Europe, with a soon-to-be-macro impact on energy geopolitics. The regulatory process drives everything. First, the economics need to make sense. Second, the permitting process needs to be understandable and stable.
