Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
On the radar screens of conventional economics, value created outside the market economy rarely makes a blip. This first part of a two-part series discusses the roles that the “invisible economy” of household production might play in a future of scarce and expensive energy.
The real question: should oil be cheap?
Spain to cut speed limit in bid to reduce oil imports
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the reactor revival is NOT ready for prime time
A mid-week update on peak oil, including:
-Production and prices
-The bombs of Nigeria
Riders flock to T in record numbers
Oil shock: China’s cars, accelerating a global demand for fuel
Pedal power challenges car culture as cyclists seize Los Angeles freeways
Economists assign monetary values to region’s ‘natural’ gifts
Jakarta: About 2,000 industries ready to shift Saturday, Sunday days-off
Cornwall: Stiff sea breeze blows away school’s electricity bill
Housing crisis hits exurbs hard
Freeways give way to boulevards — slowly
New houses are universally horrible, and eco-houses are the most horrible of the lot
Last week, Somerset County Council voted unanimously to endorse a motion that they become the UK’s first ‘Transition Local Authority’. What is means is that SCC could start taking an integrated approach to its planning processes, putting peak oil and climate change at the heart of its forward planning. It may well also unlock funds for the many Transition initiatives emerging across Somerset.
A lot of parenting is about common sense. Deep down as parents, we realize that if a child gets showered with gifts, they become unappreciative. If they receive things because they stamp their feet and scream, that behavior will continue because it has been rewarded.
In the last few decades however, common sense seems to be on the decline and its commonality is certainly fading. Let me give you an example.
Amish also feel strain of high fuel costs
Schools look to save money with four-day week
Will clotheslines turn dryers into relics?
China: Panda or Dragon?
China: Melting glacier leaves world’s worst polluter with no room for doubt
Energy in China: ‘We call it the Three Gorges of the sky. The dam there taps water, we tap wind’
The vegetable patch goes luxe
Vegetable gardening is cool. Who knew?
Farmers ready to cash in on soaring land prices
An executive summary of weekly news from a US peak oil perspective, featuring:
– Production and Prices
– India’s Economy
– China after the Olympics
– TNK-BP
– Energy Briefs
