Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
Some Observations
Agriculture, Oil Consumption, and ‘Sustainability’
US Farmers, 1840
Source: US Census and American Community Survey
US Farmers, 1840 & 2008
Source: US Census and American Community Survey
US vs Lancaster County
Source: US Census and American Community Survey
Or should I say…
La Tour Eiffel
One Cubic Mile of Oil (CMO)
Source: Stanford Research Institute
CMO Equivalence
Source: Stanford Research Institute
CMO Equivalence
Not to scale(in case you were wondering)
Source: The Oil Drum and my own calculations
Thus I conclude…
Definition of Unsustainable
That which cannot be sustained.
That which will end.
…when?
What is ‘Peak Oil’?
Oil-Producing Nations (98)
Post-Peak Oil Producers (64)
www.lastoilshock.com
We must assume....
Peak Oil
And now for some possibly alarming quotations....
““The world has never faced a problem The world has never faced a problem like this. Without massive mitigation…like this. Without massive mitigation…
the problem will be pervasive and will not the problem will be pervasive and will not be temporary. Previous energy transitions be temporary. Previous energy transitions
were gradual and evolutionary. were gradual and evolutionary. Oil peaking will be abrupt and revolutionary.”Oil peaking will be abrupt and revolutionary.”
The Hirsch ReportThe Hirsch ReportU.S. Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Energy
February 2005February 2005
““The real issue of our age is how we make The real issue of our age is how we make a graceful and ethical descent.” a graceful and ethical descent.”
David HolmgrenDavid HolmgrenPermaculture: Principles and PathwaysPermaculture: Principles and Pathways
Beyond SustainabilityBeyond Sustainability
To Mend, to Tend, to Restore
Energy Descent
“…“…the continual decline in net energy the continual decline in net energy supporting humanity, supporting humanity,
a decline that mirrors a decline that mirrors the ascent in net energy that has taken place the ascent in net energy that has taken place
since the Industrial Revolution.” since the Industrial Revolution.”
——Rob HopkinsRob HopkinsFounder, Transition Town TotnesFounder, Transition Town Totnes
The world's first Transition InitiativeThe world's first Transition Initiative
““It’s like growing old. You can’t solve that. It’s like growing old. You can’t solve that. However, you can choose to respond However, you can choose to respond
respectfully, wisely and imaginatively to it, so respectfully, wisely and imaginatively to it, so that even ageing can become a source of that even ageing can become a source of
unexpected riches.” unexpected riches.”
Richard HeinbergRichard Heinberg
Putting it All in Perspective