Page 1 of 3
Peak oil v climate change - The Guardian
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 14:42
by Andy Hunt
I'm absolutely stunned - the MSM is tackling exactly the questions and themes which have been discussed on this forum for years. Just goes to show how much ahead of the curve people here are!!
http://m.guardian.co.uk/environment/201 ... pe=article
"Peak oil" describes the point at which the production of petroleum reaches its final high-point and begins a terminal decline. Given that oil is a finite resource, everyone agrees that a peak is inevitable, but views differ about when it is likely to happen and what the impacts will be. Some experts argue that the peak is imminent and that, when markets finally wake up to this fact, the world will face severe economic consequences. Others – including many governments and energy companies – believe the peak to be decades away and argue that as oil becomes more expensive to extract, the market will naturally redirect investment towards alternative energy sources.
If those concerned about peak oil are proved correct, and a fall in oil production triggered a major economic down-swing, this would likely reduce the global rate of carbon emissions for a period, just as other recessions have done. But even a very severe global recession wouldn't reduce emissions sufficiently to "solve" climate change – and indeed the longer-term impact of the oil peak could be to accelerate rather than decelerate global warming. That's because falling availability of crude oil could boost the production of even more carbon-intensive alternatives such as oil extracted from tar sands or "synfuel" produced from coal.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 14:48
by UndercoverElephant
Yes. World events have clearly reached the point where at least some of these previously-taboo discussions can no longer be avoided. Recent events in Japan will accelerate this process, I think.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 15:51
by energy-village
Peak oil has become respectable conversation these days, I'm not sure that over population has yet.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 19:20
by Aurora
Peak oil?
I'm not falling for that old fairy story. After all, this is the 1st of April.
Here's the real deal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bHZRSlhJxY
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 20:05
by hardworkinghippy
That video is frightening !
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 20:19
by rue_d_etropal
I stopped watching it after only a short time, not worth wasting my time. What is scary is that there are a lot of people who think(?) this way.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 20:24
by Aurora
rue_d_etropal wrote:I stopped watching it after only a short time, not worth wasting my time.
Trying to avoid the truth eh?
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 20:29
by snow hope
That video is amazing - I am stunned.
"Nature says it doesn't give a damn what we do to it...... it says drill, drill, drill."
Feck!
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 20:56
by biffvernon
Brilliant. I love the communist Canadians and the Russian (one of the good ones) who discovered abiotic oil.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 21:10
by 2 As and a B
Others – including many governments and energy companies – believe the peak to be decades away and argue that as oil becomes more expensive to extract, the market will naturally redirect investment towards alternative energy sources.
The only teensy weensy ickle problem with that argument is that it usually takes decades for new technology to make an effective economic difference and it's not as if we suddenly decide on Monday that oil has become too expensive and we then have a whole new energy system in place by Friday. There is the not insignificant issue of economic collapse and loss of R&D and investment money associated with the expensive oil - inflation - recession sequence. But then, those advocating, and with an interest in the continuation of, BAU know all that don't they?
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 22:16
by JohnB
hardworkinghippy wrote:That video is frightening !
I thought it was fascinating! He obviously totally gets PO really, but just can't accept it. He's desperately trying to convince himself that it's not true, and was getting more and more stressed as he realised what crap he was talking, in his desperation to maintain the illusion of BAU. Was that his psychiatrist in the background? I loved the bit about that well know American authored tome, The Bible. I wonder if he knew it was actually written in a land far far away, that isn't inhabited by good ole boys (apart from a few with hard hats and very big guns).
On the other hand, HWH may be right
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 22:42
by Aurora
biffvernon wrote:
Brilliant. I love the communist Canadians and the Russian (one of the good ones) who discovered abiotic oil.
Here's what the good 'ole boy has to say about
global warming and
over population.
Global Warming
An eco-socialist Gaia conspiracy to rob hard working Americans of God-given V-8 power and tax them into the poorhouse.
Priceless!
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 22:56
by ziggy12345
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 23:20
by Andy Hunt
Actually it is in the Bible.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/kjv/mat025.htm
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Posted: 01 Apr 2011, 23:27
by UndercoverElephant
snow hope wrote:That video is amazing - I am stunned.
"Nature says it doesn't give a damn what we do to it...... it says drill, drill, drill."
Feck!
It's a piss-take. I also mistook it for real when I first saw it, but it is a piss-take.