Community Solutions
peak oil
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Peak Oil Crisis: Peak Oil & Car Pools
Falls Church News-Press
This the first Falls Church News-Press article on peak oil that I'd say I have to disagree with. I don't think we need government-controlled car pools. I think money would be better spent creating and/or subsidizing sufficient rail systems for transportation to work. Better yet, biking/walking should be subsidized and encouraged, if at all possible.
I'm sure carpooling will happen all on its own in the early stages. I see it happening now. I live in a smaller city and I just don't think forced carpooling would work around here because we don't have enough of a population to create a workable carpool system! For instance, I work 5p-5a without a fixed schedule at the hospital. Sometimes, I'm on-call or called-in unexpectedly. Not many others in this town work an everchanging schedule from 5p-5a. I would be hard-pressed to find a ride. Even if I did, would it be in the same direction as I'm going? Alot of my co-workers are from out of town, too. I just don't think it's workable.
My first thoughts about forced carpooling include wondering why one would want to pay the insurance and care of a car at all if they couldn't drive it that often anyway.
I think we should work for less government control not more, in this respect. As far as I'm concerned, forcing one to take the carpool instead allowing use of their own vehicle is limiting freedom of choice. Yes, I'm a Democrat that wants assured the freedom to use a vehicle just as much as I support freedom of choice in women's rights! The government need not be involved except maybe for subsidizing mass transit efforts. I'm sure letting go of personal use of a car will happen all on its own with rising energy costs.
peak oil
This the first Falls Church News-Press article on peak oil that I'd say I have to disagree with. I don't think we need government-controlled car pools. I think money would be better spent creating and/or subsidizing sufficient rail systems for transportation to work. Better yet, biking/walking should be subsidized and encouraged, if at all possible.
I'm sure carpooling will happen all on its own in the early stages. I see it happening now. I live in a smaller city and I just don't think forced carpooling would work around here because we don't have enough of a population to create a workable carpool system! For instance, I work 5p-5a without a fixed schedule at the hospital. Sometimes, I'm on-call or called-in unexpectedly. Not many others in this town work an everchanging schedule from 5p-5a. I would be hard-pressed to find a ride. Even if I did, would it be in the same direction as I'm going? Alot of my co-workers are from out of town, too. I just don't think it's workable.
My first thoughts about forced carpooling include wondering why one would want to pay the insurance and care of a car at all if they couldn't drive it that often anyway.
I think we should work for less government control not more, in this respect. As far as I'm concerned, forcing one to take the carpool instead allowing use of their own vehicle is limiting freedom of choice. Yes, I'm a Democrat that wants assured the freedom to use a vehicle just as much as I support freedom of choice in women's rights! The government need not be involved except maybe for subsidizing mass transit efforts. I'm sure letting go of personal use of a car will happen all on its own with rising energy costs.
peak oil
Financial Sense University� "Noble Rot" by John Mackenzie 08.17.2005
Financial Sense University� "Noble Rot" by John Mackenzie 08.17.2005
Awesome. Inspiring. I'm getting ideas after looking at this guys composting bin and raised beds! This fall there are going to be some changes in my yard for next year, especially after seeing this.
Awesome. Inspiring. I'm getting ideas after looking at this guys composting bin and raised beds! This fall there are going to be some changes in my yard for next year, especially after seeing this.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Jevons paradox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thought this was a good description of Jevon's Paradox. Don't know why I decided to blog it. Just a reminder, I guess! Maybe some newbies might read and review the concept.
peak oil
Thought this was a good description of Jevon's Paradox. Don't know why I decided to blog it. Just a reminder, I guess! Maybe some newbies might read and review the concept.
peak oil
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Gasoline Price Reflects Dwindling Oil Reserves, not Merely Oil Price -Lundberg
Culture Change
Thank you, Lundberg, for correcting Fox News!
Excerpt:
"Growth of the economy ends when petroleum is in short supply. When the market really feels the gap between supply and demand widen, the price will go through the roof. Alternative energy sources are not ready. The coming oil shock will signal an historic flip-over from expanding our civilization via petroleum dependence to seeing the commencement - after "petrocollapse" - of a reversion to sustainable living based on local ecological capacity. The short answer to 'What do we do now?' is conserve, radically."
Lundberg also told Fox News that it is erroneous to calculate that the adjusted price for gasoline, including inflation, is under the price of two and a half decades ago. This is because "subsidies - direct, indirect and hidden, such as the War on Iraq -- to oil and refined products, if included in the price, would make oil cost perhaps $120 per barrel today. This is one reason people must work longer hours and obtain extra jobs," he explained.
peak oil
Thank you, Lundberg, for correcting Fox News!
Excerpt:
"Growth of the economy ends when petroleum is in short supply. When the market really feels the gap between supply and demand widen, the price will go through the roof. Alternative energy sources are not ready. The coming oil shock will signal an historic flip-over from expanding our civilization via petroleum dependence to seeing the commencement - after "petrocollapse" - of a reversion to sustainable living based on local ecological capacity. The short answer to 'What do we do now?' is conserve, radically."
Lundberg also told Fox News that it is erroneous to calculate that the adjusted price for gasoline, including inflation, is under the price of two and a half decades ago. This is because "subsidies - direct, indirect and hidden, such as the War on Iraq -- to oil and refined products, if included in the price, would make oil cost perhaps $120 per barrel today. This is one reason people must work longer hours and obtain extra jobs," he explained.
peak oil
How Serious is Peak Oil?
American Chronicle
Oh Lord! My search engine says this article is coming from Beverly Hills! Beverly Hills....meet peak oil!
Quote:
"In the past, oil was considered to be an unlimited natural resource. It was sold freely, like gravel or crushed stone. Until now, the real price of oil has generally been related to the cost of extraction. Speculation and politics have caused the wide shifts in the price of oil that we have seen in the past, and will continue to do so in the coming years. But, in the near future, oil will also be sold less casually. Its price will be only partially related to demand, and partially because it will be held back in reserve, as a valuable, but dwindling resource. It will be sold with a view toward the conservation of capital, if you will.....
....As you can see, the problem is not a shortage of oil, but it is the price of oil. International politics and speculation would have prices rising in any case, but the war and turmoil in the Middle East is causing most of the excessive price speculation that we see today. Certainly developing countries like India and China are having some considerable affect on the price as well. It is highly unlikely that we will see oil under $50 again, for any prolonged period of time. On the other hand, prices over $100 will cause investors to initiate adventures into other sources of oil and other sources of energy. Even at $75 or $80, some other forms of energy will begin to replace oil in certain areas, from wind farms and bicycles to solar cells and hybrid automobiles. Most of these new energy sources are of questionable value except on a very small scale. However, new energy sources of any kind require investment and lead time. Meanwhile prices can become disruptive."
peak oil
The Peak Oil Crisis: A Role for the Post Office
Falls Church News-Press
Just got to this one from Thursday. That's how behind I am! Falls Church News-Press continues with the peak oil discussion....
peak oil
Just got to this one from Thursday. That's how behind I am! Falls Church News-Press continues with the peak oil discussion....
peak oil
Monday, August 15, 2005
Will America be ready when oil supply peaks? - baltimoresun.com
baltimoresun.com
Quote:
"The energy bill makes available $14.6 billion in subsidies and tax credits, but $9.2 billion goes toward electricity generation, where only 3 percent of oil is used, and another $2.6 billion goes to oil and gas companies. Very little goes to decreasing oil consumption in transportation or creating and employing alternative energies.
Second, we must publicize the possibility that the United States and the world economy are woefully unprepared for peak oil. This is vital because Americans, in particular, still see oil as an entitlement. America uses 25 percent of the world's energy and has only 5 percent of its population.
Third, we need to establish a set of norms that can help great powers - and civilizations, for that matter - avoid conflicts over oil. Otherwise, we will increasingly see oil as a zero-sum game as we anticipate dwindling supplies. The United States and China do have a bilateral working group on energy at lower governmental levels, but it deserves higher-level attention and needs to be expanded to include other countries.
Technology may still save us from our oil addiction. But just as we buy insurance to protect our lives, we should have an insurance policy to protect the energy security of future generations."
peak oil
Quote:
"The energy bill makes available $14.6 billion in subsidies and tax credits, but $9.2 billion goes toward electricity generation, where only 3 percent of oil is used, and another $2.6 billion goes to oil and gas companies. Very little goes to decreasing oil consumption in transportation or creating and employing alternative energies.
Second, we must publicize the possibility that the United States and the world economy are woefully unprepared for peak oil. This is vital because Americans, in particular, still see oil as an entitlement. America uses 25 percent of the world's energy and has only 5 percent of its population.
Third, we need to establish a set of norms that can help great powers - and civilizations, for that matter - avoid conflicts over oil. Otherwise, we will increasingly see oil as a zero-sum game as we anticipate dwindling supplies. The United States and China do have a bilateral working group on energy at lower governmental levels, but it deserves higher-level attention and needs to be expanded to include other countries.
Technology may still save us from our oil addiction. But just as we buy insurance to protect our lives, we should have an insurance policy to protect the energy security of future generations."
peak oil
'Peak oil' issue piques interest
Friday, August 12, 2005
Chevron's gamble
The Cincinnati Post
Quote:
The strong results, however, mask weakness in Chevron's core business: finding oil and gas. Last year, it pumped the equivalent of 2.5 million barrels of oil out of the ground every day. After factoring in asset sales, new discoveries and revisions to previous estimates, it didn't come close to adding that much in proven reserves. Its "replacement rate" was just 18 percent - one of the worst showings by a large oil company in recent years. If that continues, Chevron could eventually pump itself out of existence. That is why many in the oil patch see Chevron's acquisition of Unocal as a sign of weakness, not strength.
I remember reading somewhere that when oil becomes harder and harder to find and the cost of exploration and extraction increases, more companies will be merging. This is probably one example.
peak oil
Quote:
The strong results, however, mask weakness in Chevron's core business: finding oil and gas. Last year, it pumped the equivalent of 2.5 million barrels of oil out of the ground every day. After factoring in asset sales, new discoveries and revisions to previous estimates, it didn't come close to adding that much in proven reserves. Its "replacement rate" was just 18 percent - one of the worst showings by a large oil company in recent years. If that continues, Chevron could eventually pump itself out of existence. That is why many in the oil patch see Chevron's acquisition of Unocal as a sign of weakness, not strength.
I remember reading somewhere that when oil becomes harder and harder to find and the cost of exploration and extraction increases, more companies will be merging. This is probably one example.
peak oil
The End is Nigh
American Scientist Online
Well. It's been a wild week of information, hasn't it? I can't keep up and I just keep finding more and more good online reading about our oil/energy situation!
Well. It's been a wild week of information, hasn't it? I can't keep up and I just keep finding more and more good online reading about our oil/energy situation!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
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