Peak Oil is the point in time where the world oil production ceases to increase and begins to decrease. It can be thought of as a bell curve with the very top being “peak oil”.
Congressman Roscoe Bartlett spoke to Congress on the challenges lying before America and the world as it pertains to the worlds oil production. Congressman Bartlett has a background as a research scientist and when asked if his fellow Congressmen had any real idea about the problem peak oil poses simply said, “No.”
The reality is is that, just like social security reform, the primary goals of todays politicians are to look out for themself and get this generation through life and screw the next generation – they can fend for themselves. Bartlett later elaborated that the politicians believe that somehow the market demand will force the market producers to find a way to produce oil that meets the world demans, or at least the United States’. But common sense tells you that you can’t produce more than what your raw supply holds and oil is acknowledged by everyone to be a finite resource.
I paid $2.31 for a gallon of midgrade today. My car took $31 worth of gas making it the most expensive fill-up I have ever made with this car. Crude is selling at $54.91 at close of business yesterday, March 24th. Alternate fuel sources have got to be researched and developed.
Aaron
Popularity: 1% [?]
About Aaron
indeed. this issue (and it may be the only issue of any import at the end of the day) has been swept under the carpet while dog-wagging tactics of every sort are employed to distract people and protect their slumber. reality check 101: if you think the price is high now…just wait. conservative estimates project an order of magnitude increase over the next 15-20 yrs. as in $500/barrel even with new tech to squeeze every last drop. (and thereby force the “new” “commodity” upon the “consumer”. don’t kid yourself…the oil companies know full well what’s up and are positioning themselves to control, manipulate and exploit new/old (alternative, renewable) forms of energy production. you see, oil corps aren’t politicians, they’re business men(women).(that doesn’t make them bad, just human) and they are hardly limited to oil anymore. the simple fact is that they are MULTI-NATIONAL (as in beyond political boundaries) and the entire world economy (read global stability or lack thereof) begins and ends with oil. forget your car…how about modern textiles (dacron, rayon, polyester, etc), any plastics, most pharmacueticals, and let’s not forget fertilizer to renew and support the corporate farms of the breadbasket to the world….all of this is 100% oil based. um, price of petrol? how about the price of food? uh, what food? hmmm, sort of puts a new light on genetically manipulated (GM) vegetables, eh? the days of polymer science and “better living though modern chemistry” may be numbered but it might not be a question of “IF” genetics but “WHEN” and “HOW MUCH”. the answer, i’m afraid, is going to be NOW and AS MUCH AS IT TAKES if there is such a thing. (hey, i’m all for manure, but will that be enough to maintain current levels of food production? ps: do you really think the war in iraq was gwb’s idea? or that it will end there? hmm, we shall see. and what next? water is already a commodity. air? now freedom isn’t free, and democracy under threat seems ironic, and security at the price of liberty is no security, yada-yada….it’s never black and white, there is no one static answer forever, it’s always in process, an ongoing balancing act, dynamic and in flux. that’s tough to grok and maybe uncomfortable and scarey, that insecurity and need for detachment or unattachment when we all long for that snuggly warm place of comfort…or have simply grown accustomed to and hence expect it… in any case, i’ve already given up my beloved automobile addiction. and i pray everyday for sanity, hope, compassion and a little love among the Humans Being on planet earth. especially those in a position to effect change at the highest levels. and dangerous though it may be…trying to help unplug those minds that might be able to help. i hear chicken littles say it’s all coming to end…i say it’s up to you and me. wake up and imagine survival for everyone because there are no more borders or boundaries. what happens, happens to everyone. and entropy is a state of mind. communication…listening with an ear to understand as opposed to responding or winning is where it all starts. bridging the widest gaps the challenge. some believe that the exploding population makes survival a war by definition…i choose to believe we can make it and teach our children to carry on. the truth is we can’t forsee to plan all the future (hence the amendable constitution)and the next generation will HAVE to take care of itself but that doesn’t mean we should give up. sorry no time to edit i have to go to work now. peace.
indeed. this issue (and it may be the only issue of any import at the end of the day) has been swept under the carpet while dog-wagging tactics of every sort are employed to distract people and protect their slumber. reality check 101: if you think the price is high now…just wait. conservative estimates project an order of magnitude increase over the next 15-20 yrs. as in $500/barrel even with new tech to squeeze every last drop. (and thereby force the “new” “commodity” upon the “consumer”. don’t kid yourself…the oil companies know full well what’s up and are positioning themselves to control, manipulate and exploit new/old (alternative, renewable) forms of energy production. you see, oil corps aren’t politicians, they’re business men(women).(that doesn’t make them bad, just human) and they are hardly limited to oil anymore. the simple fact is that they are MULTI-NATIONAL (as in beyond political boundaries) and the entire world economy (read global stability or lack thereof) begins and ends with oil. forget your car…how about modern textiles (dacron, rayon, polyester, etc), any plastics, most pharmacueticals, and let’s not forget fertilizer to renew and support the corporate farms of the breadbasket to the world….all of this is 100% oil based. um, price of petrol? how about the price of food? uh, what food? hmmm, sort of puts a new light on genetically manipulated (GM) vegetables, eh? the days of polymer science and “better living though modern chemistry” may be numbered but it might not be a question of “IF” genetics but “WHEN” and “HOW MUCH”. the answer, i’m afraid, is going to be NOW and AS MUCH AS IT TAKES if there is such a thing. (hey, i’m all for manure, but will that be enough to maintain current levels of food production? ps: do you really think the war in iraq was gwb’s idea? or that it will end there? hmm, we shall see. and what next? water is already a commodity. air? now freedom isn’t free, and democracy under threat seems ironic, and security at the price of liberty is no security, yada-yada….it’s never black and white, there is no one static answer forever, it’s always in process, an ongoing balancing act, dynamic and in flux. that’s tough to grok and maybe uncomfortable and scarey, that insecurity and need for detachment or unattachment when we all long for that snuggly warm place of comfort…or have simply grown accustomed to and hence expect it… in any case, i’ve already given up my beloved automobile addiction. and i pray everyday for sanity, hope, compassion and a little love among the Humans Being on planet earth. especially those in a position to effect change at the highest levels. and dangerous though it may be…trying to help unplug those minds that might be able to help. i hear chicken littles say it’s all coming to end…i say it’s up to you and me. wake up and imagine survival for everyone because there are no more borders or boundaries. what happens, happens to everyone. and entropy is a state of mind. communication…listening with an ear to understand as opposed to responding or winning is where it all starts. bridging the widest gaps the challenge. some believe that the exploding population makes survival a war by definition…i choose to believe we can make it and teach our children to carry on. the truth is we can’t forsee to plan all the future (hence the amendable constitution)and the next generation will HAVE to take care of itself but that doesn’t mean we should give up. sorry no time to edit i have to go to work now. peace.
I sure can’t and won’t even attempt to argue your point on oil supply and the need for alternative power. This issue has been thrashed around for decades and we’re still no closer to a solution. Sure we can all start driving hybrids and conserve as much as possible, but how do we control countries such as China? Their economy is growing by leaps and bounds and their demand for oil will soon overtake the United States. The congress is pretty much split between the Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives on their view of what should be done or not done. They’ve had an energy bill from President Bush that has failed to go anywhere. One thing the bill calls for is the building of new refineries and nuclear plants. Also, we are at the time of year when existing refineries need to start switching over to summer fuel… When will Congress set a standard to be used year long? You can imagine the cost of switching that is past onto us, the consumer. This fuel switching is something the Eco-maniacs have forced us to endure. I think we should build huge wind power systems up and down California and in tight-assed New England to ruin John Kerry and the Kennedy’s view. At least now it seems we will begin oil exploration in ANWR. America needs to break away from depending on foreign oil one way or another. Extracting oil from ANWR is a good start; add to that the use of nuclear plants to provide electrical power would go a long way to tightening the noose around the necks of the OPEC countries.
I sure can’t and won’t even attempt to argue your point on oil supply and the need for alternative power. This issue has been thrashed around for decades and we’re still no closer to a solution. Sure we can all start driving hybrids and conserve as much as possible, but how do we control countries such as China? Their economy is growing by leaps and bounds and their demand for oil will soon overtake the United States. The congress is pretty much split between the Democrats and Republicans, Liberals and Conservatives on their view of what should be done or not done. They’ve had an energy bill from President Bush that has failed to go anywhere. One thing the bill calls for is the building of new refineries and nuclear plants. Also, we are at the time of year when existing refineries need to start switching over to summer fuel… When will Congress set a standard to be used year long? You can imagine the cost of switching that is past onto us, the consumer. This fuel switching is something the Eco-maniacs have forced us to endure. I think we should build huge wind power systems up and down California and in tight-assed New England to ruin John Kerry and the Kennedy’s view. At least now it seems we will begin oil exploration in ANWR. America needs to break away from depending on foreign oil one way or another. Extracting oil from ANWR is a good start; add to that the use of nuclear plants to provide electrical power would go a long way to tightening the noose around the necks of the OPEC countries.
$2.31 per gallon1 gallon = 3.78 liters0.61$ / literHmm…I guess you should come over to germany, then you could really start complaining: 1liter “normal” = 91octane: 1l = 1.14 € = 4,30€/gallon = 5,57$1l “super” = 95octane: 1l = 1.17€ = 4,42€/gallon = 5,73$All due to extremely high taxes. No wonder that germany’s car manufacturer’s are coming up with more and more efficient motors every year…
$2.31 per gallon
1 gallon = 3.78 liters
0.61$ / liter
Hmm…I guess you should come over to germany, then you could really start complaining:
1liter “normal” = 91octane: 1l = 1.14 € = 4,30€/gallon = 5,57$
1l “super” = 95octane: 1l = 1.17€ = 4,42€/gallon = 5,73$
All due to extremely high taxes. No wonder that germany’s car manufacturer’s are coming up with more and more efficient motors every year…
Move to MA. When I was there last summer gas was anywhere from $2.20 to $2.65 for a gallon of regular. I’ve never seen a Mazda protege take $32+ in gas until then (and you should have seen the charges for my wife’s F-150).Ingoal definitely has a point: we pay far less than other countries when it comes to gas. However, as Americans we don’t have as many options, given the dismal state of public transportation in most American cities. However, if this sort of price increase keeps up much longer I’m going to be giving serious thought to taking the train into work every day.
Move to MA. When I was there last summer gas was anywhere from $2.20 to $2.65 for a gallon of regular. I’ve never seen a Mazda protege take $32+ in gas until then (and you should have seen the charges for my wife’s F-150).
Ingoal definitely has a point: we pay far less than other countries when it comes to gas. However, as Americans we don’t have as many options, given the dismal state of public transportation in most American cities. However, if this sort of price increase keeps up much longer I’m going to be giving serious thought to taking the train into work every day.
You guys are sort of missing the point. The point is not that I paid $2.29 for a gallon of gas as much as $2.29 is extremely high for where I live. Relatively speaking, it will also be higher where you live as well. The point in that is that the cost of fuel, refined or crude, is going through the ceiling and that the demand for foil is also going up. At some point, the finite resource starts to suffer. I don’t think we are in danger of running out of oil but from an economic standpoint, the cost will soon become unmanageable and that is why alternate fuel sources need to be developed.
You guys are sort of missing the point. The point is not that I paid $2.29 for a gallon of gas as much as $2.29 is extremely high for where I live. Relatively speaking, it will also be higher where you live as well. The point in that is that the cost of fuel, refined or crude, is going through the ceiling and that the demand for foil is also going up. At some point, the finite resource starts to suffer. I don’t think we are in danger of running out of oil but from an economic standpoint, the cost will soon become unmanageable and that is why alternate fuel sources need to be developed.
True true, although in the long run we will run out of oil (not in the next few hundreds years I guess, but who knows), so new technologies have got to step up – although that is really difficult. Take a look at renewable energies:1. Solar stuff – we could already have cars running with solar panels (just have a look at recent efficiency improvements): problem – the car industry in cooperation with the oil-companies, they don’t want any of that…we could already have this up and running IMO…2. Fuel Cells – we’ve seen major improvements over the last 10 years (Mercedes Benz is even running some busses with fuel cells already…: problem – still not 100% ready for everyday use + major costs and use of fossil fuels in the production process of needed hydrogen)3. Natural gas – a real alternative, I already tested a Fiat with dual-drive (natural gas + gas – switchable) and it rocks: problem – the oil companies have no interest in promoting this technology so there’s maybe 1 in 200 gas stations providing natural gas at all…4. Other combo-systems (electrical motor + gas motor)…not bad for a transition period, but we should really get away from the oil…
True true, although in the long run we will run out of oil (not in the next few hundreds years I guess, but who knows), so new technologies have got to step up – although that is really difficult. Take a look at renewable energies:
1. Solar stuff – we could already have cars running with solar panels (just have a look at recent efficiency improvements): problem – the car industry in cooperation with the oil-companies, they don’t want any of that…we could already have this up and running IMO…
2. Fuel Cells – we’ve seen major improvements over the last 10 years (Mercedes Benz is even running some busses with fuel cells already…: problem – still not 100% ready for everyday use + major costs and use of fossil fuels in the production process of needed hydrogen)
3. Natural gas – a real alternative, I already tested a Fiat with dual-drive (natural gas + gas – switchable) and it rocks: problem – the oil companies have no interest in promoting this technology so there’s maybe 1 in 200 gas stations providing natural gas at all…
4. Other combo-systems (electrical motor + gas motor)…not bad for a transition period, but we should really get away from the oil…
“Next few hundred years” might be a bit high, especially since China is finally hitting their industrial revolution – them and their 6 Billion people. I’d say one hundred years MAX. In other words, the R & D needs to find a way to get more power out of less energy or smaller amounts of energy at lower prices. It’s a challenge for sure. But it needs to be addressed now, not when we’re in crunch time.
“Next few hundred years” might be a bit high, especially since China is finally hitting their industrial revolution – them and their 6 Billion people. I’d say one hundred years MAX. In other words, the R & D needs to find a way to get more power out of less energy or smaller amounts of energy at lower prices. It’s a challenge for sure. But it needs to be addressed now, not when we’re in crunch time.
Also there’s the simple case of conservation. This is touchy since it pains people to alter their lifestyle.Some figures.1. If people were to carpool, that would reduce the number of cars on the road by perhaps 50%.2. If people worked 4 10 hour days instead of 5 8 hour days, that would reduce the number of cars on the road by 20%.3. If people swapped out oil-heating systems in homes for electric-based systems, you’d have a large decrease in consumption.
Also there’s the simple case of conservation. This is touchy since it pains people to alter their lifestyle.
Some figures.
1. If people were to carpool, that would reduce the number of cars on the road by perhaps 50%.
2. If people worked 4 10 hour days instead of 5 8 hour days, that would reduce the number of cars on the road by 20%.
3. If people swapped out oil-heating systems in homes for electric-based systems, you’d have a large decrease in consumption.
China’s populations is huge, but it’s estimated that India’s population will outstrip China by 2030. India, at 1.103 billion people this year would reach 1.593 billion by 2050, China which has 1.316 billion now will reach 1.392 billion. Both of these countries are growing and will continue to drain the supply of oil. The bottom line is we need to find alternative energy and what’s better than nuclear? Now that the Republican’s have control of the White House, Congress, most of the governorships and state they should start pushing to build more reactors. The big problem will continue to be the Eco-maniacs who will do anything to save a toad, even jeopardize American security.
China’s populations is huge, but it’s estimated that India’s population will outstrip China by 2030. India, at 1.103 billion people this year would reach 1.593 billion by 2050, China which has 1.316 billion now will reach 1.392 billion. Both of these countries are growing and will continue to drain the supply of oil. The bottom line is we need to find alternative energy and what’s better than nuclear? Now that the Republican’s have control of the White House, Congress, most of the governorships and state they should start pushing to build more reactors. The big problem will continue to be the Eco-maniacs who will do anything to save a toad, even jeopardize American security.
Nuclear is a great energy source. Except for the huge cost involved with enriching uranium. And can you imagine how mucha nuclear powered car would cost just in coolant alone? And heaven forbid the car flips in an accident and the containment mechanism is broken. Or if the car overheated… can we say mini-nuclear meltdown.I can foresee nuclear power in everyday life 100 years from now but not in the near term.
Nuclear is a great energy source. Except for the huge cost involved with enriching uranium. And can you imagine how mucha nuclear powered car would cost just in coolant alone? And heaven forbid the car flips in an accident and the containment mechanism is broken. Or if the car overheated… can we say mini-nuclear meltdown.
I can foresee nuclear power in everyday life 100 years from now but not in the near term.
“I can foresee nuclear power in everyday life 100 years from now but not in the near term.”Yup, that would be nuclear fusion by then though?! The idea of a nuclear reactor powered car strangely reminds me of the Delorean from “Back to the future” – can you say: HomeFusion :-)
“I can foresee nuclear power in everyday life 100 years from now but not in the near term.”
Yup, that would be nuclear fusion by then though?!
The idea of a nuclear reactor powered car strangely reminds me of the Delorean from “Back to the future” – can you say: HomeFusion :-)
Increasing the number of nuclear plants around the country, especially in heavily populated areas would take a huge drain off the dependence on oil to generate electricity. Less fuel used for power leaves more fuel for your favorite SUV. This could be a reality in the “near future” if the public could be assured that the plants are safe. Oh and you’d also have to make sure no toads were jeopardized…
Increasing the number of nuclear plants around the country, especially in heavily populated areas would take a huge drain off the dependence on oil to generate electricity. Less fuel used for power leaves more fuel for your favorite SUV. This could be a reality in the “near future” if the public could be assured that the plants are safe. Oh and you’d also have to make sure no toads were jeopardized…
Mike – you are a toad. Where you gonna put all those reactors? Truth be told, toads or not, people just don’t like living near reactors. And IMO the oil companies are too powerful to allow alternative energy to become more popular than oil. Isn’t your fav baby Bush an oil man? Why would he push for anything else that would not be in his best interest?
Mike – you are a toad. Where you gonna put all those reactors? Truth be told, toads or not, people just don’t like living near reactors. And IMO the oil companies are too powerful to allow alternative energy to become more popular than oil. Isn’t your fav baby Bush an oil man? Why would he push for anything else that would not be in his best interest?
If you don’t know already it has always been the Democrats (Liberals) who have stopped the building of nuclear power plants. Your man Kerry and the Kennedy’s are even against wind power, because it affect their view. And how about those wonderful people out in Hollywood? Do you think they will support anything that would decrease the dependence on foreign oil if it would jeopardize anything in their luxurious lives? Go as Pelosi or Boxer if they would allow wind power or a nuclear plant in their states. The Liberals are even against using energy in our own country, such as ANWR. You see they are in with the Eco-maniacs and would rather safe a toad than do anything to strenthen our security. If you check you will see that the energy bill Bush sent to Congress, what three years ago calls for all types of power, including nuclear. Also, the building of more refineries, which have always been stopped by the Democrats (Liberals). Know your facts first… Here is the link to the Presidents energy bill… <a href=”http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/Chapter5.pdfhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/Chapter5.pdf&l… />It callse for additional drilling for domestic oil and the use of coal for clean electricity production. It also calls for the increase in nucelar plants.
If you don’t know already it has always been the Democrats (Liberals) who have stopped the building of nuclear power plants. Your man Kerry and the Kennedy’s are even against wind power, because it affect their view. And how about those wonderful people out in Hollywood? Do you think they will support anything that would decrease the dependence on foreign oil if it would jeopardize anything in their luxurious lives? Go as Pelosi or Boxer if they would allow wind power or a nuclear plant in their states. The Liberals are even against using energy in our own country, such as ANWR. You see they are in with the Eco-maniacs and would rather safe a toad than do anything to strenthen our security. If you check you will see that the energy bill Bush sent to Congress, what three years ago calls for all types of power, including nuclear. Also, the building of more refineries, which have always been stopped by the Democrats (Liberals). Know your facts first… Here is the link to the Presidents energy bill… http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/Chapter5.pdf
It callse for additional drilling for domestic oil and the use of coal for clean electricity production. It also calls for the increase in nucelar plants.
i can’t quote a source just now, i’m relying on my fallable memory, but the best guesses of the experts are that without major discoveries of new oil fields there is about 45 years of regular oil production and that would include high tech solutions like pressurized steam to get every last drop from existing resevoirs. and the basic law of supply and demand will see the price go nowhere but up. way up. i believe the “peak oil” point is predicted to be in 15-20 years. and at that point the price will be whatever they can get. and ps…there ain’t all that much in alaska. it won’t solve the problem for any length of time. why is the price jumping so radically all of a sudden? hmmm…also, hydrogen fuel cell tech is NOT a source of energy. it is an energy storage system. YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE THE ELECTRICITY TO MAKE THE HYDROGEN from water. how do we make electricity? hmmm…but again, your auto expense is the LEAST of our worries.i dig windmills, and hydro, and solar. better for the environment no doubt. but that’s a lot of wind, sun and waterfall per person. europe is far ahead of the US with plans to convert to wind as much as possible. i forget the figures but it’s going to be something like fifty percent when they are finished in the near future. and i believe one of the scandinavian countries is already well on their way to that goal. do you own property to build windmills on? can you build and operate that equipment yourself? can most people you know? or will we continue to pay someone else to do it for us? this may be a secondary issue but…reducing dependence on “foriegn” oil is great. (query…in a global economy, how do you define “foriegn”?) and reducing dependence on oil is better. is it possible to eliminate dependence altogether? regardless…you see the other side to this equation…demand…is defined by population growth. and like i said…petrol(gas)is the least of our worries. petroleum is what fertilizes our farms. sure your girlfriend or wife can give up nylons and buy silk but…what will your children eat? are you trusting DADDY (the government) will take care of you? ask your grandparents about the world before world war II. the government is you and me pal! modern pharmacueticals are heavily based on petroleum…but the doctors will save us…right? better eat right and quit smoking pal. give up that car and ride a bike. exercise.(when i was living overseas last year the price per litre was the same as per gallon here. almost 4x.) welcome to the global village folks. if you haven’t travelled overseas you have no idea. if you haven’t been to a third world country, you haven’t got a clue. why do you think we’re so worried abut korea and a ballistic missile defense system in america? you can’t begin to imagine how wealthy the poorest american is compared to most places. why are we thinking about cafta? the central american free trade agreement? sending MORE jobs to foriegn countries? and the great leveling begins. ouch. it’s a question of numbers folks. and boy are they pissed. 90% of wealth held by 10% of the people. the visigoths are coming over the walls…in any case, like i said in this morning’s rant, gasoline is the least of our worries. (well, then again, the economy can be a fragile thing. i couldn’t begin to calculate how much petrol fuels the economy or what would happen if we all stopped buying it. scarey thought. pull one thread and the whole thing unravels. or would it?)anyway, if you can’t afford it take the bus. work at home. move. this is the easy part. the amazing comfort and wealth we as a country have enjoyed for the past half century has been supported by tariffs and “unfair” trade practices and law as well as a demand here (and world wide) that was within our resources. this is no longer the case and we haven’t even begun to look at the climate and the dwindling rainforests, etc. i’m not a tree hugger, just realistic. you don’t need to be a scientist or dynamic systems analyst to see the interrelated symbiosis of our ecosphere. (kinda like that global economy we’d like to keep stable. hence, the reason BP/AMOCO and friends are getting into “alternative” souces of energy) i can’t imagine another four inches of sea level rise. everyone i talk to anywhere in the world is talking about how weird the weather is. look friends, this may sound harsh, but you better get a stiff upper lip and start really thinking about what you can do today cause tomorrow never comes. get used to high gas prices. and think about the big picture. there is no more us and them. it’s only us. and we’re burnin down the house. if you ain’t part of the solution. you is a part of the problem. there’s no such thing as a static system. you can’t tread water forever. no man is an island. the theory of isolationism and protectionism is no longer valid.in closing, yup, i think we can convert to alternative enrgy sources. we must. but it won’t be painless. the powers that be (that would be money, not politicians) will do what ever they can to maintain their status quo. ie oil companies will switch to a new source they can control and sell. is that a good idea to keep the economy stable and working? could be. unless you want to barter with your neighbor for his home grown beans as opposed to using your debit card at the grocery. (kinda like living on a farm..lotsa room for a windmill…)there might be another way…but in the mean time our house is on fire and it’s going to take everyone with a bucket and garden hose to put it out. i don’t mean to say the sky is falling or the ice caps are going to melt causing the earth to flip over but… the melanoma rate in new zealand is something like 80%. again i only have my friends to quote on that. not the kiwi cancer society. but…even with sunscreen i got REALLY BAD sunburn last winter…ozone holes and global warming are no joke and there really is only one half rotation between a balanced spinning top and one that flips on its side. hmmm…but seriously…i’ve given up the automobile i love to drive so much and in one move i stop a bunch of personal pollution and reduce my monthly budget by almost $500. not to mention the extra exercise and my health improves. i also gave up my cell phone and cable tv. but that’s another rant. what are you going to do today? wake up and fight the fire or go back to sleep and let the next generation worry about it? peace.
i can’t quote a source just now, i’m relying on my fallable memory, but the best guesses of the experts are that without major discoveries of new oil fields there is about 45 years of regular oil production and that would include high tech solutions like pressurized steam to get every last drop from existing resevoirs. and the basic law of supply and demand will see the price go nowhere but up. way up. i believe the “peak oil” point is predicted to be in 15-20 years. and at that point the price will be whatever they can get. and ps…there ain’t all that much in alaska. it won’t solve the problem for any length of time. why is the price jumping so radically all of a sudden? hmmm…
also, hydrogen fuel cell tech is NOT a source of energy. it is an energy storage system. YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE THE ELECTRICITY TO MAKE THE HYDROGEN from water. how do we make electricity? hmmm…
but again, your auto expense is the LEAST of our worries.
i dig windmills, and hydro, and solar. better for the environment no doubt. but that’s a lot of wind, sun and waterfall per person. europe is far ahead of the US with plans to convert to wind as much as possible. i forget the figures but it’s going to be something like fifty percent when they are finished in the near future. and i believe one of the scandinavian countries is already well on their way to that goal.
do you own property to build windmills on? can you build and operate that equipment yourself? can most people you know? or will we continue to pay someone else to do it for us? this may be a secondary issue but…reducing dependence on “foriegn” oil is great. (query…in a global economy, how do you define “foriegn”?) and reducing dependence on oil is better. is it possible to eliminate dependence altogether? regardless…you see the other side to this equation…demand…is defined by population growth. and like i said…petrol(gas)is the least of our worries. petroleum is what fertilizes our farms. sure your girlfriend or wife can give up nylons and buy silk but…what will your children eat? are you trusting DADDY (the government) will take care of you? ask your grandparents about the world before world war II. the government is you and me pal! modern pharmacueticals are heavily based on petroleum…but the doctors will save us…right? better eat right and quit smoking pal. give up that car and ride a bike. exercise.
(when i was living overseas last year the price per litre was the same as per gallon here. almost 4x.) welcome to the global village folks. if you haven’t travelled overseas you have no idea. if you haven’t been to a third world country, you haven’t got a clue. why do you think we’re so worried abut korea and a ballistic missile defense system in america? you can’t begin to imagine how wealthy the poorest american is compared to most places. why are we thinking about cafta? the central american free trade agreement? sending MORE jobs to foriegn countries? and the great leveling begins. ouch. it’s a question of numbers folks. and boy are they pissed. 90% of wealth held by 10% of the people. the visigoths are coming over the walls…
in any case, like i said in this morning’s rant, gasoline is the least of our worries. (well, then again, the economy can be a fragile thing. i couldn’t begin to calculate how much petrol fuels the economy or what would happen if we all stopped buying it. scarey thought. pull one thread and the whole thing unravels. or would it?)anyway, if you can’t afford it take the bus. work at home. move. this is the easy part. the amazing comfort and wealth we as a country have enjoyed for the past half century has been supported by tariffs and “unfair” trade practices and law as well as a demand here (and world wide) that was within our resources. this is no longer the case and we haven’t even begun to look at the climate and the dwindling rainforests, etc. i’m not a tree hugger, just realistic. you don’t need to be a scientist or dynamic systems analyst to see the interrelated symbiosis of our ecosphere. (kinda like that global economy we’d like to keep stable. hence, the reason BP/AMOCO and friends are getting into “alternative” souces of energy) i can’t imagine another four inches of sea level rise. everyone i talk to anywhere in the world is talking about how weird the weather is. look friends, this may sound harsh, but you better get a stiff upper lip and start really thinking about what you can do today cause tomorrow never comes. get used to high gas prices. and think about the big picture. there is no more us and them. it’s only us. and we’re burnin down the house. if you ain’t part of the solution. you is a part of the problem. there’s no such thing as a static system. you can’t tread water forever. no man is an island. the theory of isolationism and protectionism is no longer valid.
in closing, yup, i think we can convert to alternative enrgy sources. we must. but it won’t be painless. the powers that be (that would be money, not politicians) will do what ever they can to maintain their status quo. ie oil companies will switch to a new source they can control and sell. is that a good idea to keep the economy stable and working? could be. unless you want to barter with your neighbor for his home grown beans as opposed to using your debit card at the grocery. (kinda like living on a farm..lotsa room for a windmill…)there might be another way…but in the mean time our house is on fire and it’s going to take everyone with a bucket and garden hose to put it out. i don’t mean to say the sky is falling or the ice caps are going to melt causing the earth to flip over but… the melanoma rate in new zealand is something like 80%. again i only have my friends to quote on that. not the kiwi cancer society. but…even with sunscreen i got REALLY BAD sunburn last winter…ozone holes and global warming are no joke and there really is only one half rotation between a balanced spinning top and one that flips on its side. hmmm…but seriously…i’ve given up the automobile i love to drive so much and in one move i stop a bunch of personal pollution and reduce my monthly budget by almost $500. not to mention the extra exercise and my health improves. i also gave up my cell phone and cable tv. but that’s another rant. what are you going to do today? wake up and fight the fire or go back to sleep and let the next generation worry about it? peace.
Just finished reading the energy bulletin. Amazing. Glad congress is being confronted with this reality. Or at least informed. But again the only government stronger than the US government is the People of the US.Apologies, I was a bit off on my understanding of the term “peak oil” but not far apparently. And what a coincidence that this report also mentions food supply, fertilizer, medicine, and pop growth, the climate, etc. And it’s an energy bulletin. Hmmm…And here I thought I might be a nut case. Look guys(girls) you can talk about nuclear power all you want and no doubt we’ll be seeing more of it and soon. A good friend of mine is going double time refueling these things to full power and no doubt we’ll be granting new licenses. Let’s hope the tech has come far enuf to not see anymore 3 mile islands or chernobyls…but the waste dumping is the real issue there. No maybes. Not a matter of if but when and how bad. In any case, I’d be happy moving back to the farm with a windmill and solar panels so I really couldn’t care less about building new reactors. Except not by me thanks. Regardless, At the risk of repeating myself…what are YOU gonna do today? I’d hate to think the money i save not driving my car will make things worse but then i won’t be hiring new employees, expanding my business or “investing” with a bank. Does anyone see a Jenkins paradox (or whatever his name was)with real estate or the stock market? PS: link to the energy bulletin in Aaron’s second paragraph if you haven’t already. Cheers.
Just finished reading the energy bulletin. Amazing. Glad congress is being confronted with this reality. Or at least informed. But again the only government stronger than the US government is the People of the US.
Apologies, I was a bit off on my understanding of the term “peak oil” but not far apparently. And what a coincidence that this report also mentions food supply, fertilizer, medicine, and pop growth, the climate, etc. And it’s an energy bulletin. Hmmm…And here I thought I might be a nut case.
Look guys(girls) you can talk about nuclear power all you want and no doubt we’ll be seeing more of it and soon. A good friend of mine is going double time refueling these things to full power and no doubt we’ll be granting new licenses. Let’s hope the tech has come far enuf to not see anymore 3 mile islands or chernobyls…but the waste dumping is the real issue there. No maybes. Not a matter of if but when and how bad. In any case, I’d be happy moving back to the farm with a windmill and solar panels so I really couldn’t care less about building new reactors. Except not by me thanks.
Regardless, At the risk of repeating myself…what are YOU gonna do today? I’d hate to think the money i save not driving my car will make things worse but then i won’t be hiring new employees, expanding my business or “investing” with a bank. Does anyone see a Jenkins paradox (or whatever his name was)with real estate or the stock market? PS: link to the energy bulletin in Aaron’s second paragraph if you haven’t already. Cheers.