Author Archives: energyskeptic

Groundwater depletion consequences

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

Robert. Glennon. 9 Oct 2002. The Perils of Groundwater Pumping. The excessive “mining” of our aquifers is causing environmental degradation on a potentially enormous scale. Issues in Science and Technology. National Academy of Sciences. Groundwater is more than 25 percent … Continue reading →

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Aquatic Invasive species

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

Allegra Cangelosi. 9 Jan 2003. Blocking Invasive Aquatic Species. Federal law must be updated to stop introductions of nonnative organisms, especially by ships. Issues in science and technology. National Academy of Sciences. Examples of invasive aquatic species Voracious snakehead fish … Continue reading →

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Oceans in danger: excessive fishing, pollution, bioinvasion, acidification, oil spills, eutrophication

Posted on October 31, 2013 by

Carl Safina, Sarah Chasis. 9 Oct 2004.  Saving the Oceans. Two major commissions have proposed far-reaching reform of ocean policy. It’s time for Congress to act. Issues in Science & Technology. National Academy of Sciences. Oceans have been suffering from … Continue reading →

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The Race to Adapt, a book review of Klare’s “The Race for What’s Left”

Posted on October 6, 2013 by

Coltan mining Preface. This is a book review of Michael Klare’s “The Race For What’s Left: The Global Scramble for the World’s Last Resources”   Klare MT. 2012. The Race for What’s Left: The Global Scramble for the World’s Last Resources. … Continue reading →

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Book Reviews: Why I Write Them, How I Find Them

Posted on September 30, 2013 by

I’ve read thousands of mainly non-fiction books over the past 40 years. Why I write Book Reviews I write book reviews for a number of reasons — to give my brain a “workout”, as a source of information for my … Continue reading →

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Willpower: How to get it and lead a more joyful life

Posted on September 27, 2013 by

A book review by Alice Friedemann of “Willpower.  Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, by Roy Baumeister & John Tierney, 2011. Self-control is ultimately about enjoying your time on earth and sharing joy with those you love. Warning Signs Your Willpower … Continue reading →

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How fuel prices are being affected by the current boom in domestic oil production

Posted on September 15, 2013 by

Senate 113-71. July 16, 2013. Gas Prices Hearing on how U.S. gasoline and fuel prices are being affected by the current boom in domestic oil production and the restructuring of the U.S. refining industry and distribution system. Senate Hearing. [ … Continue reading →

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Phosphates add heavy metals such as cadmium to soils

Posted on September 10, 2013 by

Larsen, A., et al. March 1, 2001. Re-engineering the toilet for sustainable wastewater management. Environmental Science and Technology Vol 35(9):192-197  http://www.internal.eawag.ch/~maurer/abstracts/09larsen.html Current fertilizer production and use consume limited resources and harm the environment. At current extraction rates, reserves of phosphate … Continue reading →

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Jeremy Faludi: Your Stuff: If It Isn’t Grown, It Must Be Mined

Posted on September 10, 2013 by

Below is an excerpt from Jeremy Faludi’s “Your Stuff: If It Isn’t Grown, It Must Be Mined” (25 Dec 2007). Where does your stuff come from? Before the store, before the factory, where did it really begin? If it isn’t … Continue reading →

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Pandemics

Posted on September 4, 2013 by

As declining energy leads to lower farm yields, malnutrition and starvation will make people far more vulnerable to diseases.  A lack of anti-biotics, and little transportation to get to medical facilities at some point down the oil depletion curve is … Continue reading →

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