Consumption & Demand

Preventing deforested moonscapes – Pt I

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When electricity becomes too expensive, unreliable, or rationed, many people will very likely turn to wood to meet their heating and cooking needs. This strategy is valid and sensible for many reasons, and probably necessary in some parts of the country, but I think we should also examine the downside of using wood as a primary fuel source, and examine ways to mitigate the problems associated with burning wood.

Peak oil activists remain optimistic despite ‘scary’ Halloween conference

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Peak oil activists from across the nation gathered on a college campus over the Halloween weekend to confront the scary prospects of declining worldwide oil production – and to focus on how they and their communities can cope. “People can find ways to lead happy, fulfilling lives even as this doomed system crumbles all around them,” Russian immigrant writer Dmitry Orlov told the conference.

Global Trends 2025: A transformed world (excerpts)

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The U.S. intelligence agencies dust off their crystal ball and give us their long-term view of the future. In a striking reversal of the triumphalism of the Bush years, the report sees the future as multi-polar and roiled by shocks. Resource scarcity and climate change are highlighted. Despite the bracing dose of reality in the report, peak oilers will find much to criticize. (Excerpts, links, commentary)