by yesplease » Tue 08 Jul 2008, 21:38:30
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MonteQuest', 'S')o, in your mind, when oil starts it's relentless decline, efficiency gains alone will provide not only the energy to offset decline, but also to allow for normal economic growth, as well as, a massive ramp up of technology to mitigate it?
Depending upon the rate of decline, that translates into efficiency gains on a double-digit scale every year for the foreseeable future.
Not.
Where do you get these notions?
My mind? It was almost half of China's
new vehicle growth two years ago and likely the majority of it now. It's what's funneling the turn around in the real estate market from the inside out, as well as the drop in US oil consumption, which short of a huge drop in oil prices, will likely be far larger long-run. It isn't about efficiency alone, it's also about replacement and change.
Hell, we incur
~$.27-1.78 trillion a year in externalize costs via automobile use. Toss in fuel costs compared to efficient alternatives for another ~$.5 trillion difference. We evidently don't have a want for money, much less energy, given how we squander both. Will higher oil prices result in more efficient use and alternatives? Sure thing boss! We're a half decade away from 4.5% decline rates according to TOD, and already we're seeing
4% drops in consumption.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Professor Membrane', ' ')Not now son, I'm making ... TOAST!