Posted on 03/14/2004 12:07:16 AM PST by mc6809e
I've been looking over several websites that discuss the "peak oil" issue. If you haven't heard already, I looks like world oil production is close to, or has already peaked.
This is bad news.
Most of the alternatives to oil are unrealistic. Solar, wind, biomass, etc. All fail to supply us with the amount of energy we need.
The only alternative I see is nuclear. With breeder reactors, we have about 1,000+ years of energy. The trouble is that it takes a lot of energy to build the things. The more we wait, more difficult it will be to make the switch.
So, why are we focused on Mars? The peaking of oil production is going to cause us real trouble very soon.
If you want to find out more about "peak oil", just do a google search. Some of the sites are a little too doom and gloom for me, but there is a real problem here.
And consider the political consequences: the last time we had a big economic shake-up, we nearly became some socialist "utopia".
What is this WE stuff? How much energy do YOU need? Go live off the grid and leave "peak oil" alone! Crap in a hole, use a solar shower, stay warm by wood fireplace and bike to work.
Work?
Yep. To pay taxes on all that WE stuff you're talking about!
You are pretty positive on a theoretic model. Trouble? How real? How soon?
Breeder reactors are a neat solution.
But there are other options, such as methane clathrates (hydrates). Do a google search; you'll be surprise.
--Boris
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