Written by Econintersect
Econintersect: We are urging our readers to participate in an opinion survey being taken by the Doomstead Diner in cooperation with Ugo Bardi, Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Firenza in Italy. What is the future of energy for the planet earth? If you have opinions in this area please share them with the folks at Doomstead Diner: Renewable Energy Survey. We have already inputted our 2 1/2 cents. A sample question follows the Read more >> jump.
Sample question:
The question is about the possibility of a society not too different from ours (**) but 100% based on renewable energy sources, and on the possibility of obtaining it before it is too late to avoid the climate disaster. This said, what statement best describes your position?
It is impossible for technical reasons. (Renewables have too low EROEIs, need too large amounts of natural resources, we’ll run out of fossil fuels first, climate change will destroy us first, etc.)
It is technically possible but so expensive to be unthinkable.
It is technically possible and not so expensive to be beyond our means. However, it is still expensive enough that most likely people will not want to pay the costs of the transition before it will be too late to achieve it, unless we move to a global emergency status.
It is technically possible and inexpensive enough that it can be done smoothly, by means of targeted government intervention, such as a carbon tax.
It is technically possible and technological progress will soon make it so inexpensive that normal market mechanisms will bring us there nearly effortlessly.
This questionalsoappeared on a survey taken of experts in the field of renewable energy, and results published on Ugo’s Blog Cassandra’s Legacy.
Please take the Renewable Energy Survey. We think you will find the questions thought provoking.
