Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
The key question is whether we have the time for said gradual energy transition. … Should the analogy be the American entry into World War II which led to a command economy directed by the federal government with the aim of winning the war? One could certainly argue that the United States did not make optimal use of its resources during World War II. But, it did win.
In Murphy’s typology, Plan A is “Business as Usual”- which will be prevented by absolute resource and environmental constraints; Plan B is the proposed switch to “Clean Green technology”- which will not be able to replace oil in time; while Plan D is “Die Off”. Thus we are lef twith Plan C which the plan of “curtailment and community”- the kind of responses being explored in the Transition movement, as well as our own Powerdown Community project, for which this book is a key resource.
Investigation of coal supplies for Pandemic Planning reveal most utility companies only keep 30 days of coal on hand and are completely dependant on just-in-time supply chain to mine and ship the coal. An interruption such as a pandemic, train wreck or difficulty mining could turn off electricity in the US.
Arab News: Energy industry headed for a bigger crisis
Green groups ramp up attacks on oil sands
Greenwash: BP and the myth of a world ‘Beyond Petroleum’
AAAS Science: World oil crunch looming?
The 2008 IEA WEO – Oil reserves and resources
Nine percent
A sea of unwanted auto imports
Moore: Automakers never listened to workers, consumers
Bill Rees blasts auto industry bailout talk
California officials unveil plans to turn San Francisco into electric car capital
Coming to a store near you: chainless bicycles
A digest of news and commentary from a UK peak oil perspective
The Last Viridian Note
Finite Resources Explain the Financial Crisis
Moore’s Curse and the Great Energy Delusion
U.S. intel office adds warming to warnings
Director of National Intelligence: Conflicts over resources (PDF)
Germany’s Courting of Oil-Rich Turkmenistan Prompts Criticism
Europe joins international contest for Arctic’s resources
The 30 greatest conspiracy theories: #20 The peak oil conspiracy
Kunstler and Darley view a post-oil future
Objectivity of the International Energy Agency
The perils of cheap oil
Byron King: Unsustainable energy trends
Dingell loses early test in bid to retain chairmanship of energy committee
President for 60 more days, Bush tearing apart protection for America’s wilderness
Obama brings US in from the cold
A weekly update including:
– Prices continue to fall
– The OPEC meetings
