Current Issues
Population Math: A Little Grows a Long Way
Human numbers continue to grow often promoted in some countries by retrograde governments which misapply commercial economics to social policy. But in a world of declining resources and changing climate, more people no longer translates to progress.
Energy Realities 3: The World Has Not Enough
Oil Supply
Our last newsletter showed the enviable energy circumstances in which Canada finds itself. However, for the world as a whole, and the USA in particular, the outlook is far less bright. Here we are looking solely at the supplies of oil, not the impact on climate. Despite limited world supplies, humanity clearly has more than enough carbon rope with which to hang itself.
Whatever supply advantage Canada may have over most countries, it is probable that Canadians will pay world global prices for energy and that we will begin to be subject to world environmental standards.
Energy Realities 2: Canada - How Long Can the Lights Stay On?
Energy is the most critical building block of modern societies because of the work it allows us to do. No energy, no lights, no camera, no action. And no food.
Canada has an enviable range of rich energy resources. Besides some of the world’s largest per capita reserves of oil and natural gas, we have considerable hydro electric capacity. These resources allow Canada to be one of the largest energy exporters in a world where most nations are now net energy importers.
Why Climate Matters to Civilization
Next to the oxygen in the atmosphere, climate is the most important factor in human life because climate determines food availability, clean water and favourable temperatures upon which all healthy bio-systems depend. It determines the proportion of the planet which will support human life.
Energy Realities 1: How energy is measured: EROI
Measuring Energy
Energy is the most critical building block of modern societies because of the work it allows us to do. For commercial purposes, energy is measured in fiat currency per unit of energy ie $ per litre of gas or cents per kWatt hour of electricity.
But on a national policy basis, energy must be measured in its own terms. Currency can be printed whereas energy cannot. So, to measure the real cost of producing energy, the ratio of EROI Energy Return on Energy Invested was developed.
Is this generational transfer?
Generational transfer is the passing down of assets, rights and privileges from one generation to another.
Everything can be thought of as part of the transfer including:
- All personal goods
- Public infrastructure
- Natural capital
- Debt or savings
- Social cohesion
More Articles...
- A Reality Check on Green Energy from David MacKay, a Renewable Activist Physicist
- Aging is a Transition, Not a Crisis
- High Food Prices, Child Poverty and Discrimination Over Sustainability
- Plenty Canada: Supporting Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Goals
- Corporate Accountability on Sustainability
- True Cost & Hidden Source of Urban Sprawl
- Income Polarization Affects Us All
- The True Source of Canada’s Carbon Emissions
- Why Unemployment Persists
- Understanding Population Cycles
- Why You Should Care About Farmland Loss
- Gridlock is getting worse and it's affecting your quality of life
- When immigration increases, higher unemployment and lower wages result.
- Are We Working Too Hard?
- Why Can’t Canada Ever Hit It’s GHG Emission Targets?
- Nasa-funded study: industrial civilisation headed for 'irreversible collapse'?
- Capture & store carbon dioxide
- Perpetual economic growth - is it possible
- Unprecedented shift in temperature
