Author Archives: energyskeptic

Republicans Brains are wired to deny science & reality

Preface. This is my book review of Chris Mooney’s 2012 “The Republican Brain. The Science of Why They Deny Science—and Reality”. This has grown from a review of this book (far below) to more recent science and writing on the … Continue reading

Posted in Evolution, Human Nature | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

If oil is being created all the time, we will never run out

  Preface. The theory that oil is always being created underground is known as abiotic, or Gold’s theory. This post consists of excerpts from the best paper I’ve found on why this is nonsense. Even if abiotic processes are happening, … Continue reading

Posted in Oil, Ugo Bardi | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Egads! An unfair distribution of wealth is good for the climate

Preface. Good grief!!! I never thought I would write a post with that title. I am pro Democracy, pro fair distribution of wealth!  As you can see at posts here. But it has occurred to me that if if everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Distribution of Wealth, Overshoot, Poverty, Social Disorder | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Book review of 2024 Scheyder “The War Below”

Preface.  This post has excerpts from Scheyder’s 2024 “The War Below” about the  metals and minerals renewables will need – over 6 times more than fossil fueled internal combustion vehicles, natural gas and coal plants, and nuclear power (IEA 2021). … Continue reading

Posted in Energy Books, Limits To Growth, Mining, Peak Copper, Peak Critical Elements, Peak Rare Earth Elements | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Summary of Greenpeace “Nuclear Reactor Hazards”

Source: Nuclear power is dirty, dangerous and expensive. Say no to new nukes. Preface.  This is a summary of: Hirsch H (2005) Nuclear Reactor Hazards Ongoing Dangers of Operating Nuclear Technology in the 21st Century.  Greenpeace International. The revival of … Continue reading

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Richard Heinberg: Environmental-Political Collapse Accelerates

Preface. Another wise post with great insights and predictions about where we are today from Richard Heinberg, the foremost scholar of Peak oil, overshoot, ecology, and more. Some excerpts: “…A basic understanding of overshoot reveals that our modern industrial way … Continue reading

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Peak Helium

Preface. Attention all you capitalists who think we can grow forever on a finite planet. Stuff can run out! Helium is the only element on earth that is completely nonrenewable.   A supply crisis is expected by 2060 (Hu 2025). Commercial helium … Continue reading

Posted in Peak Critical Elements | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Geography, Resources, & the Destiny of Nations

Preface. Jared Diamond’s famous book “Guns, Germs, and Steel” discussed why some nations were so much more successful than others. Much success came from nearby nations who bootstrapped each other up with new ideas, crops, and ideas. Especially Eurasia due … Continue reading

Posted in Peak Resources | Comments Off on Geography, Resources, & the Destiny of Nations

DOGE could have been great. Instead it blew everything up

Preface.  You may remember that a movement called “Code for America” founded in 2009, used technology to improve government services and make them more efficient and accessible.  This post is a book review of Pahlka’s 2023 “Recoding America” about how … Continue reading

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Aside

Preface. After seeing the film “The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil” in 2006, I thought about how those lessons might apply to California, which grows about a third of U.S. food.  Much of what follows in the … Continue reading