The fragility of microprocessors
Will computer manufacturing survive during energy descent?
Education
Energy policy – Aug 5
A net energy parable: ERoEI explained / What is carbon trading, and can it save the world from global warming? / Rationing could be key to war on climate change / The inconvenient truth about “An Inconvenient Truth”
Media attacked for ‘climate porn’
“So we use a loud rumbling voice to talk about the challenge, about melting ice and drought; yet we have a mouse-like voice when we talk about ‘easy, cheap and simple’ solutions, making them sound as tiny as possible because we think that’s what makes them acceptable to the public… In fact it makes them seem trivial in relation to the problem.”
A conversation with Vinod Khosla
In my recent essay Vinod Khosla Debunked, I challenged Mr. Khosla to a written debate on his recent ethanol claims. Mr. Khosla e-mailed me shortly after that essay appeared, and offered to discuss the matter by phone. [Khosla is an influential venture capitalist now promoting ethanol.]
Portland prepares peak oil briefing book
In May 2006, Portland City Council created a Peak Oil Task Force to develop recommendations on appropriate responses to uncertainties in the supply and affordability of oil. City staff developed this 94-page set of background materials intended to provide an overview of the peak oil issue.
Peak Moment Television: 16 more episodes
Peak Moment is a television series emphasizing positive responses to energy decline and climate change through local community action. How can we thrive, build stronger communities, and help one another in this time of transition? (16 more episodes are now online.)
Vinod Khosla debunked: ethanol is NOT the answer
When an influential person begins to affect energy policy decisions – decisions that will have a huge impact on all of our lives – we better take a critical look at the claims that person is pushing. You can’t discuss ethanol for long with an ethanol proponent without having them mention the endorsement of Vinod Khosla.
Peak oil – July 20
ASPO-5 Live – Day 2 /
Traffic jams are bad, but what’s next could be worse /
The Mark II Economy
The peak oil crisis: where is the Washington Post?
Does it matter that the Washington Post, for whatever reason, is ignoring the possibility of imminent peak oil? The answer is a resounding YES. If the Post understands, then, given time, Washington will understand.
The axes of energy
Figuring out how to meet the world’s demand for energy involves choosing between two complex formulas: Cost optimization based on the cheapest forms of energy available vs. the risk of pumping the resulting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Summary of a talk by Dr. Nathan Lewis of Caltech)
Peak oil – July 15
Peak oil passnotes: where Is the recession? /
Using community radio to communicate peak oil (N. Calif.) / Potential impact of Cantarell’s decline on Mexico’s oil production
Blog to cover international peak oil conference in Italy
For those who can’t make the trip to Pisa for this year’s international Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO), the next best thing could be a visit to ASPO-5 Live, a near real-time weblog. July 18-19.