Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
This overview of our economic future relates to the “peak oil” issue in a very straightforward way. Oil demand and prices will remain depressed during the deflationary period (2008 Quarter III–?) and then rebound as they did in recent years when inflation takes hold again.
In this edition of The Reality Report host Jason Bradford interviews Nate Hagens. Topics in this program highlight how the current financial melt down and impact the timing and severity of peak oil and natural gas–including the dreaded “natural gas cliff” as rigs go idle due to low prices. We discuss whether this means economic growth now over, and if so, how should societies adjust?
Price Trends: Gasoline and CPI Are Twins
Davos confronted by peak of distrust
Putin and Wen, ‘Cocky’ No More, Pay Davos Price for Recession
It is clear that oil depletion will overwhelm our economies and global warming may overwhelm much more But for people who are newly unemployed, impoverished, homeless and don’t have enough to eat, the President and Congress must hold out the promise of near-term help.
Prospects for constructing a pipeline that would make Europe less dependent on Russian gas and Gazprom’s disputes with Ukraine seem only marginally better after the conference.
Russian oil production reaches its peak
EU spending spree brings carbon capture closer to reality
UK gets biofuels research centre
Britain’s energy industry is nosediving into a dark, uncertain future
Wind power set to decline under Obama?
Reactivating Nuclear Reactors for the Fight against Climate Change
Advice to Pres. Obama (#6): Beware the Hungry Ghosts
These four presentations were taped at the ASPO-USA 2008 conference. Morey Wolfson’s GoogleEarth presentation zooms into global Choke Points, primarily in the middle east. Jeff Vail discusses geopolitical elements to energy limitations. Tom Whipple describes ASPO resources and current energy strains. Terry Backer explains how to get a peak oil resolution through a legislative body.
In further coverage of the ASPO-USA 2008 conference, Peak Moment features Robert Hirsch and Kyle Saunders, aka. Professor Goose on the Oil Drum.
Richard Heinberg, author of Powerdown, makes plain the dire situation we’re in as declining oil supplies fail to meet demand. He notes there are no easy “supply side” solutions (like substitute fuels): we must reduce demand, initially through conservation and efficiency. Julian Darley, president of Post Carbon Institute observes that while personal action is very important, individuals can only do so much.
A weekly update including:
– Prices
– Curbing emissions and consumption
The issue of planning for and administering fuel emergencies is complex and multi-layered, involving a range of commercial interests, government agencies and a tangle of legislation, policies and jurisdictions, one of the largest and most influential of which is the International Energy Agency, an autonomous body within the framework of the OECD.
