Life in a Post-Carbon World

[4dsc]

Glad to see someone is thinking ahead.. Too bad the news may not be what most people want to hear or read about!!

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060828/post_carbon_world


Currently one of the big debates in the energy field is what will occur if and when all the oil is used up and we find ourselves in what is being called the "post-carbon age." That's a debate for geologists, economists and think tankeroos. But there is no debate over the steadily increasing price of oil, which is certain to double, triple, quadruple in years to come.

The economic and therefore the political consequences, even if we are somewhat prepared, will be shocking in ways only a few presently understand. Most of us have been nurtured to believe that after a few adjustments are made by way of "energy conservation" and the "miracle of technology," we shall be on our merry way as before. We buy it when George Bush remarks, almost absent-mindedly, that America is addicted to oil but that he and his allies have the biofuel methadone needed to kick the habit. Well, methadone doesn't work on heroin junkies, and it won't work on oil junkies either.

If we are to survive, much less prosper, in a time when oil will vie in price with Cristal, we must not only think outside the box; we must get rid of the box. We must do something Americans have never imagined: Give up on economic growth. We must abandon the long-held idea that we can grow our way out of every problem, that growth is the path to achieve every national goal.

In the post-carbon age, growth will be anathema. We can start with population. The United States is already the third most populous nation in the world behind India and China, both of which have long since understood that infinite population growth is the road to the poor house.

[FloridaPat]

1. By the time our gov't stop making war everywhere, there will be no

popualtion problem anywhere.

[skids]

2. Personally I think this is a hit piece.

I think this is a plant to give something to the anti-global-warming crowd to point to to say: look they want us all to move back into caves and eat tofu.

Granted the future does in fact look bleak -- and it would be whether we ran out of oil or not. The environment is not going to support us.

Personally, I don't think an anti-economic-growth stance is going to help in any case... maybe the side benefit they hoped to get out of that was to push those who are capable of self-sacrifice into complaincancy about the utterly mismanaged economy.

In times of human crisis, we all need to help each other. That means more jobs and more available services, not less.

(on EDIT: having Googled this guy I see he probably is being sincere. Now as to whether his misguided opinion on this is being used as a stalking horse, that I raise for serious consideration.)

[4dsc]

3. But remember this

Just who is going to take the first step toward "self-sacrifice" in a culture based upon greed and wastefullness?? While individual efforts are applauded, if society doesn't change then individual efforts won't matter..

Beside, we can plan for a future with less oil now or wait until there is less oil and see what the consequences turn out to be. Either way, IMHO, the future is one with less oil and just how painful its going to be is up to us.

[skids]

4. Sure...

...just the piece does nothing to help with such planning. All it does is say "we're screwed."

[4dsc]

5. Well just how screwed to you believe

we will be if in 20 years the world is only producing 40-50 million barrel per day versus the 84 mbpd we are now?? What effect to you believe this will have on everything from agriculture to economic expansion??

Not to mention, sometime within the next 20 years, IMHO, exporting oil country's will take a serious look at their reserves and STOP EXPORTING all they can a keep the oil for themselves.. What effect do you believe that would have on the good ole USA??

I believe the post is taking what they believe is a realistic outlook versus the one most American's have..