[Mesuge]

Someone on that TOD forum thread dug out Gore's transcript from Larry King (2006), where he speaks briefly about peak oil. So, obviously he is very well versed in that for some time. The other issue is that for some reason/strategy/timing he has not taken this into forefront on other occasions.

Speaking of the 2020-30 time frame, the real-life test will be if any of the top tier countries will make any significant progress on renewables. I doubt that with the possible exception of small Iceland anybody will score 51% and up in the sector of renewable electricity not to speak about the entire energy mix..

Even taking into account the possibility of some massive demand destruction, if you don't perform well in this renewables direction, the outlook for 2030 is very bleak.

So, this tip toe dancing by Gore can bee seen as very cowardish,
unless he plans to go massively public with the peak oil theme by this years Q3 and "Die-off" by Q4.. hah

[joelcolorado]

While he spoke, two limos and a hummer sat outside with engines running so the air conditioners were working so Gore and wife and daughter didnt have to get in a hot car after the speech.

Video on FOX news this morning. What an asshole. Do as I say, not as I do. Same ole shit outta the rich elitist.

[retiredguy]

I didn't see any mention of the need to reduce per capita power consumption in Gore's proposal. Nor did he mention the need to control population growth.

Any serious proposal to eliminate FF usage has to address these issues, IMHO.

[Twilight]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('cube', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Twilight', 'I') loathe the "Man on the Moon" comparison.
....

[Cashmere]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dohboi', '
')Most of the rest of you have your heads so far up your asses you think sh*t is sunshine.
. . .

Some one starts to propose a program that approaches what our extremely severe crisis calls for

[Twilight]

Ten years is absurd.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Twilight', 'T')en years is absurd.

[Kingcoal]

Actually, while I disagree with Al on global warming being settled science, I agree with the idea of spending trillions on wind, solar, hydro and geothermal systems. These projects require huge capital investment and the return may take a while, but they are well worth the initial investment. For example, I doubt that the Hover Dam could have been built with the current political mentality. Huge projects such as the Apollo program, require vision, a can-do spirit and willingness to take on risk.

In order to make these systems worthwhile, we will need to update and upgrade much of the electrical grid. We have the means, using existing technology, to make electricity virtually abundant and very cheap, which would help out a great deal with maintaining civilization in lieu of PO. In other words, we need all the help we can get. Cheap, abundant electricity will make it much easier on us. Electric resistance heat, for example, would become practical.

My Utopian idea for dealing with PO involves spending all our remaining money and fuel on building a brand new electrical grid based on renewables and massive expansion of electric powered public transit. The chances of that actually happening are about zero, but it's fun to dream.

[rdsaltpower]

right on cashmere!

[Maddog78]

I could be wrong but aren't there days when the wind doesn't blow?
This is going to take one hell of a battery system.
I did notice it said in the article that he offered no specifics on this trillion dollar plan. Not surprising.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kingcoal', 'A')ctually, while I disagree with Al on global warming being settled science, I agree with the idea of spending trillions on wind, solar, hydro and geothermal systems.

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Maddog78', 'I') could be wrong but aren't there days when the wind doesn't blow?
This is going to take one hell of a battery system.
I did notice it said in the article that he offered no specifics on this trillion dollar plan. Not surprising.

[Twilight]

I would have said misallocation of resources or stranding capital, but that is one way of putting it.

I think the biggest reason people expect a free lunch now is they think they got one before, back in the 60s. In fact at the time, they simply did not see the hard work a whole army of people put in the kitchen to prepare that meal. Well in that kitchen today there are a couple of guys who could maybe rustle up a cheese sandwich and there is some lasagna in the fridge which might still be good after a microwave. That is what the world is going to get when it next yells "Cake!" Exactly the kind of lunch they planned for.

[allenwrench]

{thread merged by emersonbiggins}

Is Gore's 10 year goal of converting the US to 100% renewables realistic?

Both in time frame to complete and the practical aspects of getting 100% of the US of A's power from solar, wind and other renewables?

One other thing.

I am not talking about reducing the 'American Dream' by all that much. Sure we can use renewables and cut way back from how we live. But how will Gore's plan fair if we do not wish to 'reduce complexity' as one famous hydrogen power devotee wrote in his book on the coming economic collapse.

[Kingcoal]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bas', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Kingcoal', 'A')ctually, while I disagree with Al on global warming being settled science, I agree with the idea of spending trillions on wind, solar, hydro and geothermal systems.

[darwinsdog]

Where's the energy for producing all that cement, mining & smelting all that iron & copper, supposed to come from? Get real big Al. There's not going to be much more energy than your own muscles can provide, provided you have anything to eat, in the near future. We're going to be lucky if we can even score wood to burn. All the techno-fix visionaries are full of shit. Denial motivated by fear, is all they're spewing.

[joelcolorado]

WE CAN do it but do we have the WILL to do it.

[joelcolorado]

One problem is peoples reluctance to do it. Where I live, the town and county pushed out the Wind Farm development. Testimony from locals included such things as it will pollute the ground water to it blocks the view....of WHAT i dont know in Kansas.

I would have a tower on every corner in the USA to save one soldiers life over the oil issues. Dumb asses here. I cant believe it. Of course the filthy oil wells here are GOOD for us.

[mos6507]

We HABITUATE our environment. Have you ever walked down the street and really paid attention to what you see? One thing that really stands out the most are the telephone/power lines. I mean, what is more in your face than these dead tree masts stuck in the ground every 20 feet or so with ugly wires running into the distance as far as the eye can see. But we're used to them. That's what needs to happen with wind turbines.

[Maddog78]

Kingcoal,

I would not say windmills are anywhere near maintenance free.
I know from working in Denmark that many of them are down for maintenance quite often. I saw workmen hanging around them quite regularly and trucks and or boats hauling parts out to them. I don't have any stats it's just an observation.


Edit: You can find anything on the net, lol.
Maintenance in Denmark is around 600 bucks/yr. per windmill. and they are expected to last 20 yrs. Not too bad but nevertheless a cost to consider.


http://www.starch.dk/isi/energy/wind.htm