Gross vs net society
While energy production is increasing, net energy is decreasing
It takes energy to get energy (EROEI)
“Energy profit margins are declining fast” (p.23)
Prior to industrial society (the use of fossil fuels), energy margins were small.
Labor-saving devices and also energy-consuming devices.
Important chart: volume of in situ energy resources.
“Unless our investment of energy in producing more energy yields an averaged profit ratio of roughly 10:1 or more, it may not be possible to maintain an industrial (vs agrarian) mode os societal organization over the long run.” (p. 26)
The relatively low energy profit ratio of renewable energies.
Moving towards a simply, poorer, slower economy.
But isn’t the economy recovering?
Yes, but it’s mostly “uneconomic growth” - rises in GDP (gross domestic product) which do not translate into rises in standard of living.
Approaching Peak Debt: Diminishing returns in GDP from creations of new money (debt)
Enter the Banksters: creating money(credit) out of thin air and giving it to their buddies.
General ramifications for post-peak society:
Decentralization, Simplification, Localization
No comments:
Post a Comment