Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
Matthew Hay Brown The Western Maryland Republican has given nearly 50 such speeches at the Capitol in the past three years, most of them variations on a theme: that a coming decline in petroleum production, coupled with growing demand for energy, will have a calamitous impact on the global economy. (Excerpts)
Brick making in the Western world is scientific—you test the soil, establish a recipe, take notes and generally control everything, but Jo preferred the easy Thai way. He just looked at how the ground cracked where it had been soaked. He picked up a handful and squeezed it in his hand and played with it. If it’s sticky it’s good, he told us.
Hurricane Gustav, energy infrastructure, and updated damage models
TOD’s peak oil update
An urban legend to comfort America: our massive reserves of unconventional oil
Cantarell July output lowest since 1995
Gulf of Mexico oil production likely never to reach pre-Katrina levels
Brazil’s debate over new oil wealth heats up
Russia says will ensure oil flows to Europe
Punishing Russia could prove costly
Russia is fighting a new Cold War with banks and pipelines, not tanks and warplanes
Wind energy bumps into power grid’s limits
Biodiesel boom spurs theft of nasty, used Fry-o-lator grease
Vacationers travel roads closer to home to save the summer
California insurance commissioner backs pay-as-you-drive policies
California moves on bill to curb sprawl and emissions
Publish your green urban life, win $100
Live architecture: Grow your own home
The man who saw the future: Paolo Soleri and Arcosanti
Climate fight hit by global slowdown
Power-sector emissions of China to top U.S.
EU lawmakers urge caution on bloc’s carbon curbs
Scientists report further shrinking of Arctic ice
Seeing climate change through the trees
Scientists: Save the planet-have fewer kids
Global warming: the population connection
“Water Mafias” put stranglehold on public water supply
Krill rebound – key link in ocean food chain
Rob Hopkins on “transition towns” and peak oil
Don’t be scared, be prepared
(review of “Just In Case”)
The limits of volunteerism
Beyond voting: guerrilla gardeners, outlaw bicyclists & pirate programmers
Slow Food brings many issues to the table
Sewage sludge: Too good to waste?
Was the organic food revolution just a fad? Fear for farmers as shoppers tighten belts
As food prices soar, Brazil and Argentina react in opposite ways
Switzerland: Contract farming co-ops show organic growth
Dmitry Orlov writes: “[Don’t] neglect to look at boats as an important element of your post-collapse preparations. Ian’s article takes this subject, which for most people resides in the realm of daydreams, and brings it down to the level of practical reality.”
