PowerSwitch

Peak Oil and it's affect on food prices tackled on 'Start The Week' on Radio 4 this morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_a ... arttheweek

I heard this programme too. When Andrew Marr expressed surprise at the 10 calories in for every one out statistic, his guest (have forgotten her name) said the figure came from one of the US government departments (can't remember which). I didn't realise that this was recognised by the US government. Haven't noticed any resulting change of policy!

Andrew Marr actually uttered the words "rising prices for oil - so called peak oil" Either he doesn't understand the phrase "peak oil" or he just wanted to get it in on prime time radio 4. ???

Still it's progress I suppose.


Neil

Yeah, I smiled at that. I've noticed 'peak oil' gets dropped into radio 4 programs alot recently, with no explanation of what it is. I wonder if they are hoping that the listners will do a bit of research on what 'peak oil' is on the net. Let's face it, you learn and take alot more in reading than you do listening to a radio program.

SunnyJim wrote:I've noticed 'peak oil' gets dropped into radio 4 programs alot recently, with no explanation of what it is.

Standard practice really. How many times did (and do) journalists etc mention terms like "global warming" or "sustainability" without really knowing or explaining what these catchphrases might mean? Good to see the term "peak oil" entering into general public consciousness anyway!

...and "credit crunch".

I did not catch 'start the week' , but I have noticed the phrase 'peak oil' being mentioned on the bbc for the
last couple of monthts , whereas I had *never* heard it used before. Nearest was on working lunch maybe
3 months ago , where the guest slipped in some words like : 'but oil is a finite resource' .

Was there a 'D notice' or something like that , at the bbc on the phrase 'peak oil' ?

Cheers,

Steve

Adam1 wrote:I heard this programme too. When Andrew Marr expressed surprise at the 10 calories in for every one out statistic, his guest (have forgotten her name) said the figure came from one of the US government departments (can't remember which). I didn't realise that this was recognised by the US government. Haven't noticed any resulting change of policy!

Enjoyed Andy Marr's programme on the social history of the 1950s. He has the chance to pass some things on to his successor of the 2050s re the baffling foibles of the 'Noughties'. Wonder what they might be?

clv101 wrote:...and "credit crunch".

That's a better example, because there is alot behind those two words, in the same way that 'peak oil' means alot. Climate change is pretty self explanitory. There were lots of programs about 'the credit crunch' before it slipped into really common parlance. I don't see that happening for PO. There are lots of media droppings about the affects of PO, the affects of rising oil prices or rising food prices, but not a whole lot explaining and really examining PO.

Where is the Peak Oil newsnight? It must be on its way? Where is the 'dispatches' or 'the great OPEC reserve scandle' documentary? Where is the hour special on 'how could the IEA have been so blind'? Will they ever appear, or is the general public happy with programs about the affects of rising oil prices? Or the affect of rising oil prices on food prices/food security etc etc?

SunnyJim wrote: Where is the Peak Oil newsnight? It must be on its way? Where is the 'dispatches' or 'the great OPEC reserve scandle' documentary? Where is the hour special on 'how could the IEA have been so blind'? Will they ever appear, or is the general public happy with programs about the affects of rising oil prices? Or the affect of rising oil prices on food prices/food security etc etc?

Denial and social taboos seems to be extremely strong. Everything I see indicate that our societies will just collapse with denial intact. Like a bloody addict dying with the needle in the arm.

Every morning I wake up I hope that the open discussion will finally start to spread, and every afternoon I'm disappointed. It's pretty sad all of it.

Denial and social taboos seems to be extremely strong. Everything I see indicate that our societies will just collapse with denial intact. Like a bloody addict dying with the needle in the arm.

Yea - a partner of mine was addicted to alcohol and prescription medication and despite my pleas, protestations, love, offers of assistance, a couple of trips to AA with him he's dead - due to anti-depressant overdose.

It was this that made it crystal clear to me that you can't make someone do something they don't want to do. You can present all the information you like, show films, talk and discuss, but at the end of the day it's how the knowledge affects them that matters.

Woa, sorry to hear that Peaky2, that must have been really tough.

But yes you can take a horse to water and all that.... As a lighter aside, when I learnt to scuba dive (and lets just say that I wasn't a natural, I was highly suspicious of handing my life preserving abilities over to a bit of technology which in my mind could have been built by Homer Simpson with a hangover for all I knew) my partner used the immortal line of 'You can take a Cat to water but you can't make her sink')

Miss Madam wrote:Woa, sorry to hear that Peaky2, that must have been really tough.

It was, thanks, and still is from time to time when I don't expect it. But it's 7 years ago now and the passing of time helps considerably.

SunnyJim wrote: Where is the Peak Oil newsnight? It must be on its way?

There was one a while ago. Sort of. Cant find it on youtube. Perhaps this will engage the Man on the Clapham Omnibus...

http://youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=eZZi5EWvqb0