Oil production has either reached its peak or will very soon. That's according to
Earth Policy Institute President
Lester Brown and author of
Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization. Brown explained the implications to Ira Flatow on today's
NPR Talk of the Nation: Science Friday.
With world oil production at its peak, that means no state can increase their consumption of oil unless another state decreases theirs. The problem is this: of the world's top 20 "failing states," 17 of them are increasing their populations by 2 to 3 percent every year. At that rate, these populations will grow twenty-fold in a century's time. It stands to reason, then, that energy needs will increase at the same rate.
Obviously, the response to a
decrease in oil production and
increase in population growth is the development of renewable energy techonologies to close the gap. One would think a post-Kyoto treaty, like that discussed by world leaders during December's climate change conference in Bali, would help lay the groundwork for the necessary renewable energy technologies. But Brown doubts change can come soon enough through a treaty that won't be ratified for years.
Instead of the mandatory goals and actions associated with a post-Kyoto treaty, Brown says the kind of change we need to see will come from the kind of voluntary steps already being taken by countries like the Netherlands, Iceland and Germany. Brown also mentions California, the state that leads several others (my home state of Arizona included) in a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The feds denied California the waiver it needs to impose stricter regulations on vehicle emissions than that required by federal law.
Brown also reiterates what many critics have said of the ethanol industry. Corn as food and corn as fuel are competing against each other. Those in the corn industry are going to sell their product to the highest bidder and, considering the increasing demand for ethanol all over the world, it's clear that corn as food is losing out. Though most of us could probably live just fine without ever eating another kernel, its widespread use as feed for livestock seems to be the biggest concern. (Just one more reason for a
healthy vegan diet!)
If you'd like to learn more about Lester Brown's plan for sustainability, check out this link to his website for an
overview of Plan B 3.0.
With world oil production at its peak, that means no state can increase their consumption of oil unless another state decreases theirs. The problem is this: of the world's top 20 "failing states," 17 of them are increasing their populations by 2 to 3 percent every year. At that rate, these populations will grow twenty-fold in a century's time. It stands to reason, then, that energy needs will increase at the same rate.
Obviously, the response to a decrease in oil production and increase in population growth is the development of renewable energy techonologies to close the gap. One would think a post-Kyoto treaty, like that discussed by world leaders during December's climate change conference in Bali, would help lay the groundwork for the necessary renewable energy technologies. But Brown doubts change can come soon enough through a treaty that won't be ratified for years.
Instead of the mandatory goals and actions associated with a post-Kyoto treaty, Brown says the kind of change we need to see will come from the kind of voluntary steps already being taken by countries like the Netherlands, Iceland and Germany. Brown also mentions California, the state that leads several others (my home state of Arizona included) in a lawsuit against the U.S. government. The feds denied California the waiver it needs to impose stricter regulations on vehicle emissions than that required by federal law.
Brown also reiterates what many critics have said of the ethanol industry. Corn as food and corn as fuel are competing against each other. Those in the corn industry are going to sell their product to the highest bidder and, considering the increasing demand for ethanol all over the world, it's clear that corn as food is losing out. Though most of us could probably live just fine without ever eating another kernel, its widespread use as feed for livestock seems to be the biggest concern. (Just one more reason for a healthy vegan diet!)
If you'd like to learn more about Lester Brown's plan for sustainability, check out this link to his website for an overview of Plan B 3.0.