Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
Kurt Cobb It is at the point of despair that people can feel deep down their connection to all that has come before them and all that will come after. It is not just their personal futures that are at stake anymore. It is the whole project of human civilization…the future of the natural world.
Introduces actuaries to the fact that the world is finite and we are reaching limits in several areas-oil, natural gas, fresh water, and indirectly climate change. These changes affect projections for the future, as made by actuaries. Actuaries should begin to question economic theory as well as their own models.
The failure of the modern faith in progress in an age of peak oil bids fair to leave the field open for radically different ideologies. Is Christian fundamentalism poised to fill the void?
The first meeting of the International Agrichar Initiative convened about 100 scientists, policymakers, farmers and investors with the goal of birthing an entire new industry to produce a biofuel that goes beyond carbon neutral and is actually carbon negative. The industry could provide a “wedge” of carbon reduction amounting to a minimum of ten percent of world emissions and possibly much more.
We’re back in the saddle and will be catching up on posts. We’ve been in talks with another organization and hope to have an announcement ready by next week. Thanks for your patience.
Gasoline consumption continues to run above last year, a series of refining problems have kept gasoline output well below the utilization needed to build stockpiles, and the US seems to be unable to find enough refined gasoline on the world markets to make up the difference.
Discussions of the net energy balance of grain ethanol tend to overlook the quantities of natural gas and electricity consumed at ethanol refineries, which are substantial.
Fascinating account of a simulation game that allows the user to try out various policy options to see the effect on oil consumption and oil imports.
Vatican issues new green message for world’s Catholics
Timeline: The frightening future of Earth
E.O.Wilson: Acting now to save life on Earth
The Limits to Lakoff (progressivism vs limits to growth)
So, here’s a little “mole” for anyone who condescends based on one’s hue of green. The contributions of all of us are needed to stabilize patient Earth’s life-support systems.
Industry caught in carbon ‘smokescreen’ (investigation of carbon credits)
’08 hopefuls tout climate-change plans
Climate change bites (health blowback)
Wolfowitz deputy under fire over climate
Swedes would lower living standard to help climate
Video interview with Shell Oil president
ExxonMobil doubles lobby expenditures
Daniel Yergin on energy’s challenges
