Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
We all remember the oil price run-up (and run back down) of 2008. Now, with prices similar to where they were in the fall of 2007, the question quite naturally arises as to whether we are headed for another similar scenario.
We may ultimately find that shale gas is nothing but an energy sink. It will provide net energy for a while to those who are living now while burdening future generations with huge cleanup costs that, in terms of energy, may equal or exceed the energy gain we are currently receiving from this supposedly “clean” energy source.
– The value of a nuclear Iran (Shi’ite oil)
– Green War: “Because the Earth is worth the fight!” (greenwashing)
– S. American mountains hold key to electric car’s future: lithium for batteries
“If I plant a garden and all my neighbors are starving, I’ll have to share it with them and it’s not going to go very far,” says Gail Tverberg, known to readers of the Oil Drum as Gail the Actuary. “You have to solve the problem for the whole population.”
Maybe that’s why Tverberg thinks that people who care about peak oil need to reach out beyond energy buffs to a larger public
– We Don’t Talk About That Kind of Thing Around Here (Transition and spirituality)
– Transition, Deep Transition and Solagaia in Maine, Colorado, California and Beyond
– The unrevolution
– Kurt Cobb’s Peak Oil” novel – radio interview
How do ‘developing’ countries prioritise energy goals? How should they in the face of climate change? These countries, with per capita energy consumption and CO2 emissions which average one-sixth those of the ‘industrialised’ world, are not primarily responsible for climate deterioration, but on the other hand they are the most vulnerable to climate change impacts because, says the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) they have fewer resources to adapt – socially, technologically and financially.
For the majority of the populations in these countries climate change issue is not a priority concern compared with problems of poverty, natural resource management, energy and livelihood needs.
– With Peak Oil Looming, Gulf States Consider Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies
– Coal Interests Fueling Gingrich’s Cash-Burning 527
– When energy comes to a Senegalese village, do people get more healthy, wealthy and wise?
– Poor people’s energy outlook 2010
“…we don’t know when exactly the oil is going to start peaking and production is going to start running down, but…we don’t as a nation want to be putting ourselves in hock…to these sorts of markets…” So said UK Energy Minister Chris Huhne speaking on Radio 4’s Today Programme on Thursday. ODAC believes that this is the first time a UK energy minister has actually acknowledged peak oil as a factor driving policy. While the statement remains vague on timing, this is nonetheless a very welcome shift.
It is easy to become befuddled by the current discourse on peak oil. Peak oil is defined generally as the point at which the flow rate of oil to society has reached a maximum. But this simple definition has issues too, such as what should be considered “oil.” Take, for example, the following sentences from the executive summary of the International Energy Agency’s recent publication of the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2010[1]…According to this data, a peak in the production of conventional crude oil occurred in 2006, but a peak in total “oil” production (including unconventional resources such as tar sands, natural gas liquids, etc.) may not occur for some time. So, should we consider this a confirmation of peak oil or not?
– Wallerstein: Mr. Putin Makes an Audacious Offer (to Europe)
– Inequality and Economic Collapses
– Rising oil prices, the recession and a new world order
– Oil or Terrorism: Which Motivates U.S. Policy More?
– Steve LeVine: Big Oil’s big optimism
– If efficiency hasn’t cut energy use, then what?
– U.S. Called Vulnerable to Rare Earth Shortages
A midweek roundup of peak oil news, including:
-Developments this week
-China
