Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
In a New York Times op-ed published September 18 titled “Errors and Emissions,” economist-columnist Paul Krugman took a swipe at my organization, Post Carbon Institute, lumping us together with the Koch brothers as purveyors of “climate despair.” But not only does Krugman misrepresent our position, he himself is guilty of 5 errors and 3 omissions.
The number of countries with fossil fuel conflicts and wars is increasing. Libya, Sudan, Egypt (Sinai), Yemen, Syria, Iraq and now Ukraine. The result is that many innocent people die and that actual oil/gas production drops.
One of the most important factors that will shape the history of North America over the next five centuries and is particularly amenable to a systems analysis is climate.
The seemingly ever growing oil production is deceiving. The process of peaking is happening right under the growth curve. One has only to look for it
Long-term sustainability of industry is highly questionable, studies show.
The possibility of a new global energy shock moved closer this week as ISIS forces made major territorial gains in Iraq, the speed of events taking world leaders by surprise.
What the IEA has inadvertently stumbled upon is the reason why oil limits are a problem…It looks like there are plenty of resources available and plenty of ways to reduce energy use through mitigation. In fact, it becomes to impossible to finance everything that needs to be done.
The nature of property insurance, with premiums reliant on projections of future claims and financial market performance, will pull forward the societal effects of climate change and energy constraints.
Globalization is a doomed venture in the face of more and more expensive energy costs, unfortunately before it falls apart it may destroy the local communities which will be the base of any alternative arrangements.
