Health

Review: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk

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Why are so few peak oil authors women? There’s been much debate about this, and no one has yet arrived at a definitive answer. But whatever the reason, Sharon Astyk has established herself as a true rarity within the peak oil community by virtue of being a woman who has chosen to write about peak oil. The perspective that she offers is thus both uncommon and vital.

Peak oil – Sept 17

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An urban legend to comfort America: alternative energy will save us
Peak oil, or just peak oil prices?
Were we wrong to fret about peak oil?
High costs could prompt premature end to oil production
Health care begins to feel impact of oil prices

Energy and the health sciences: A strategic management perspective

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Although it is not yet palpable or palatable, it is logical and an empirical fact that rising energy prices equally threaten the health sciences. The vast majority of health professionals with whom this author has spoken classify high energy costs as troublesome but temporary, as well as outside the boundary of the health professions. A review of the literature shows virtually no research has been conducted on energy strategy and the health sciences – or the role of petroleum-based products – for three decades.

Everything you need to know, in order

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Like my title? Never let it be said I’m not ambitious.

A student in my class asked me for a list of skills we need to get ready for peak oil, prioritized. I admit, it took me about a day after she asked to stop thinking “Holy Crap, how do I figure that all out!” But it is an interesting question. And while it isn’t all just about food preservation, I thought I’d take a shot at it. I will, of course, be relying on my fearless readership to point out gaps in my thinking.

Climate – July 13

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Albertans can expect forest fires, drought, disease
Geologist sees methane `doomsday’
The Arctic resource rush is on (gas hydrates)
McCain’s melanoma cover-up (sunscreen not enough)

How peak oil will affect health care

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The key to societal survival of peak oil is a drastic reduction in reliance on oil, and Cuba provides a model of how this had to be achieved in health care when the 1990s ‘Special Period’ saw a dramatic fall in the supply of oil, and yet Cuba managed to maintain health indicators on par with and in some cases exceeding those of the UK. The paper suggests that the UK public, clinicians and media are not ready for the challenge of change required, which would effectively move health care away from cure and from increasing profits through privatisation, to prevention and to state provision, and there are lessons that can be learnt from the Cuban experience.