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Peak Oil - How long do we really have?

Posted September 27th, 2010 by Justin Manchester in Global Economics

Our global economic dependence on this single finite substance is absolutely astounding! Show me "something" that is not made with or produced from the use of this "black-gold.... How will we transition from an infinite growth paradigm to a finite growth paradigm with the minimal amount of time we have to do so? What other energy sources can we project into the equation to allow growth rather than collapse- especially in the light of emerging economies such as China's?

I honestly don't think that we are truly facing the actuality of our situation, or that enough attention is being directed to this profound predicament, probably because of the mass hysteria that would be created....

Comments?

 

JM

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controversy

Posted September 28th, 2010 by stefano

Well, as it is such a serious subject, we need to be sure we actually understand the situation.

There are many opinions that oil is absolutely a finite resource that will run out.

There are other opinions though. The hydrocarbon lakes of Titan are bigger than all the known oil and gas reserves on Earth, and they were not produced by dead organic matter. We can imagine a scenario where our oil is not the product of dead organic matter, but is being created by processes deep in the Earth, deep down and completely hidden from our ability to detect. 

So, there are opinions, and things are not as definite nor as absolute as they may seem. 

If we're talking about the future, we're talking about imagined scenarios, not facts.

And that's the first stumbling block.

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You speak of another era of technology.

Posted September 28th, 2010 by Paul Richards

We are in what I call the 'quantum era', 

some say 'Genomic era'

An example of this type of technology

is the Venter Institutes joint venture

with Exxon.

The purpose of this is to genetically

design and build algae to produce

‘oil’ for use as energy, replacing mineral oil.
The man made and designed algae, will

consume carbon dioxide as food, thus

becoming part of earths cycle, contributing

to man and therefore GAIA. This is a real

world futurist program under way and

fully privately funded right now.

Can you imagine what this has potential

to do to the other oil groups who still carry

this ‘agricultural mindset’ of the market,

and for that matter all those who are

walking backwards into the future?

The vested interests may yet hold this

possible future to ransom with this

agricultural level of reasoning, I do hope not.

I look forward to seeing other posts from you : )

 

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"Peak Oil-Aware"

Posted December 12th, 2010 by Jason Michael Trew

 I think I became "PO Aware" about a year ago after reading Kunstler's "The  Long Emergency".  I think I've gone through all the classical stages of grief since then (with lots of additional reading, hand wringing, etc.)!

For perspective, I turned towards IT.  However, it wasn't until I read more about the Transition movement (based in Permaculture) that I felt a little hopeful (in an authentic way that doesn't just deny it outright).  Plus - assuming humanity survives - there will always be people experiencing love and that gets me through, as well.

Are there any sources you use for PO info?