Is The Energy Crisis Still A Problem?

[WhatchaTalkinBout]

Is it? I haven't been hearing about it for awhile so... I think, personally that it is still a problem even if Anderson Cooper the news hasn't been talking about it. Now then, let the beer taps opinions flow!

[Zeppy]

Jimmy Carter mad at America.
Jimmy Carter destroy America with boring books and malaise.
Yes, it is.

[Risottia]

Is it?

Well, considering how many Indians and Chinese are going to buy a new car and use it in the next decade, hell yes it is.

[SaintB]

Yes it is, its just not something politicians want to talk about. We are increasingly dependent on fossil fuels and have less than 40 years worth.

[Great Nepal]

Energy Crisis is a real big problem. If this consumption of oil continues then earths oils reserve will be emptied in 40 years. Any way its to late to do any thing!!!

[Devonshire County]

Yes, but the media said everything about it and then moved on. Its like a cow, the media is.

[JuNii]

we should still seek out alternate forms of energy, mainly because technology is now so ingrained in our lives, many won't survive without electricity.

[Great Nepal]

we should still seek out alternate forms of energy, mainly because technology is now so ingrained in our lives, many won't survive without electricity.

lorries and other trasport cant work with electricity they need oil which will be emptied in 40 years.

[Chrobalta]

We have the technology and capability to get ourselves off of foreign energy. However the status quo is more profitable to the corporations and lobbyists, so don't expect anything to change.

[Lackadaisical2]

we should still seek out alternate forms of energy, mainly because technology is now so ingrained in our lives, many won't survive without electricity.

lorries and other trasport cant work with electricity they need oil which will be emptied in 40 years.

I don't see why they couldn't have an electric truck, they have electric cars anyway.

[Lackadaisical2]

We have the technology and capability to get ourselves off of foreign energy. However the status quo is more profitable to the corporations and lobbyists, so don't expect anything to change.

More profitable for the people too.

[Chrobalta]

We have the technology and capability to get ourselves off of foreign energy. However the status quo is more profitable to the corporations and lobbyists, so don't expect anything to change.

More profitable for the people too.

How so? And arm and a leg to fill up as the pump? Hazardous toxins released into the atmosphere? Massive trade deficits? Relying on hostile foreign governments for energy? Large amounts of greenhouse gases released?

[WhatchaTalkinBout]

Jimmy Carter mad at America.
Jimmy Carter destroy America with boring books and malaise.
Yes, it is.

Sigged.

[Vetalia]

Not likely. One of the byproducts of $140 oil and $15 natural gas is that there's a shit ton of new production coming online, so barring a massive increase in demand prices are likely to stay muted; particularly in the US, natural gas production has gone through the roof and completely shattered any estimates of a "peak" in production...it's such a drastic increase, it's almost hard to believe we've got that many untapped resources left.

Plus, all those investments in alternative energy are dampening demand for fossil fuels and will continue to do so, especially if nuclear power continues to grow. We're not likely to face a repeat of the late 2000's for a while.

[Vetalia]

How so? And arm and a leg to fill up as the pump? Hazardous toxins released into the atmosphere? Massive trade deficits? Relying on hostile foreign governments for energy? Large amounts of greenhouse gases released?

In reality, "independence from foreign energy" is a complete joke. The global energy market is so fungible it's a completely moot point.

[SaintB]

Not likely. One of the byproducts of $140 oil and $15 natural gas is that there's a shit ton of new production coming online, so barring a massive increase in demand prices are likely to stay muted; particularly in the US, natural gas production has gone through the roof and completely shattered any estimates of a "peak" in production...it's such a drastic increase, it's almost hard to believe we've got that many untapped resources left.

Plus, all those investments in alternative energy are dampening demand for fossil fuels and will continue to do so, especially if nuclear power continues to grow. We're not likely to face a repeat of the late 2000's for a while.

Increasing production does nothing to solve the "What happens next?" problem.

[The Rich Port]

In around 50 years, it will be a problem. That's when our current oil resources are going to run out. Everybody stock up on plutonium while you can!

[German Cascadia]

How so? And arm and a leg to fill up as the pump? Hazardous toxins released into the atmosphere? Massive trade deficits? Relying on hostile foreign governments for energy? Large amounts of greenhouse gases released?

In reality, "independence from foreign energy" is a complete joke. The global energy market is so fungible it's a completely moot point.

I agree. People forget how the US has the worlds largest oil reserve (potential) in the Midwest, and numerous reserves in Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and off the coast of Florida. There is no energy crises.

[Vetalia]

]
I agree. People forget how the US has the worlds largest oil reserve (potential) in the Midwest, and numerous reserves in Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and off the coast of Florida. There is no energy crises.

We are decades if not more away from anything resembling peak oil. The sheer amounts of oil in unconventional reserves are several times larger than those in conventional sources (and even those continue to flow with ever greater abundance)...oil will definitely get more expensive, but it won't be anywhere close to tapering off in quantity for a while.

I think we will abandon oil thanks to technology long before it starts to run short.

[WhatchaTalkinBout]

]
I agree. People forget how the US has the worlds largest oil reserve (potential) in the Midwest, and numerous reserves in Alaska, Yellowstone National Park, and off the coast of Florida. There is no energy crises.

We are decades if not more away from anything resembling peak oil. The sheer amounts of oil in unconventional reserves are several times larger than those in conventional sources (and even those continue to flow with ever greater abundance)...oil will definitely get more expensive, but it won't be anywhere close to tapering off in quantity for a while.

I think we will abandon oil thanks to technology long before it starts to run short.

I've got a problem with that part. World oil's already been peaked. All the signs are present. The prices of oil per BBL are rising, and in turn gas prices are rising. If the world's oil hasn't been peaked, the the oil in North America's been peaked. You don't see oil rigs in Texas anymore. There used to be oil here in California, but its gone too.

[Vetalia]

Increasing production does nothing to solve the "What happens next?" problem.

It gives us that much more time to develop alternatives. At our current pace, we will abandon oil long before oil abandons us...the sheer explosion of alternative technologies in only a decade or so is downright staggering when you consider they were expensive, indeed utterly useless only two decades or so ago. It is utterly impossible that we will be unable to handle any shortfalls in oil production thanks to the sheer technological potential unleashed by the global energy market in recent years.

Peak oil is as pressing an issue as the price of pork bellies. There is nothing at all to worry about...this past decade more than assuaged my fears about humanity's ability to overcome energy crises. An interesting thought is the possibility that we made a significant step downward in energy efficiency by moving from hunting and gathering to agriculture, and from there civilization and technology exploded. Perhaps that will happen this time around...

[Chrobalta]

How so? And arm and a leg to fill up as the pump? Hazardous toxins released into the atmosphere? Massive trade deficits? Relying on hostile foreign governments for energy? Large amounts of greenhouse gases released?

In reality, "independence from foreign energy" is a complete joke. The global energy market is so fungible it's a completely moot point.

What happens when our "friends" in the middle east no longer want to sell us oil? Or China says it is willing to pay more for that oil?

[WhatchaTalkinBout]

How so? And arm and a leg to fill up as the pump? Hazardous toxins released into the atmosphere? Massive trade deficits? Relying on hostile foreign governments for energy? Large amounts of greenhouse gases released?

In reality, "independence from foreign energy" is a complete joke. The global energy market is so fungible it's a completely moot point.

What happens when our "friends" in the middle east no longer want to sell us oil? Or China says it is willing to pay more for that oil?

We nuke either China or the Middle East. Then, win or lose, go shopping after the war.

[The Rich Port]

The Middle East is going to be openly pursued by several countries in the next several decades, at the very least. Countries that they are denying resources to (yes, including America) will become prime targets for invasion. Actual control of those resources will be what most countries will depend on. Peace there will not be possible until a vast change in government is instituted, either internally or externally. The deposition of the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iran are just the beginning. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and other such countries with rich oil reserves are next.

[Lenyo]

Yes. 2040 will be a shitty year to be an OPEC nation. Oil will cost more to produce than it will be worth. The nations of the world need to become fully independent of oil rapidly. We also need to abandon coal. What source of energy should we use, as we can solely use alternative sources? Nuclear. Nuclear power is the answer. It is cheap, effective, safe, and produces high-quality occupations. There is enough uranium 235 on earth, which can be mined, to last us another ~8,000 at the current consumption rate. Nuclear power is the logical and frugal solution. Everyone wins! The pollution can be quarantined within mountains.
(And if we can alter U238 to U235... uranium's price will plummet drastically.)