What if Peak Oil never happens?

by **PeakKYJelly** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 18:52:20

What if a more efficient technology allows the extraction of oil in all the quantities we need, and while this is happening, a new technology is invented to replace oil as an energy source, so by the time oil starts to fade away, we are already covered? How would all the PeakOilers on here react? Would you be like that chick on Saturday Night Live, played by Gilda Radner, who would say "Never miiiiiiiind" whenever she was shown to be wrong?

by **Clouseau2** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:04:52

Since we live on a finite planet, the answer is obviously that something else would peak. Water, space, food, whatever.

I would really like it if I were proven wrong, it would make me more relaxed and confident in my future.

by **PeakKYJelly** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:08:13

We've got the entire solar system to expand into, and then the rest of the universe.

by **FatherOfTwo** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:10:15

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', 'W')e've got the entire solar system to expand into, and then the rest of the universe.

by **Phil** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:12:19

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', 'W')hat if a more efficient technology allows the extraction of oil in all the quantities we need, and while this is happening, a new technology is invented to replace oil as an energy source, so by the time oil starts to fade away, we are already covered? How would all the PeakOilers on here react? Would you be like that chick on Saturday Night Live, played by Gilda Radner, who would say "Never miiiiiiiind" whenever she was shown to be wrong?

by **Phil** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:14:03

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', 'W')e've got the entire solar system to expand into, and then the rest of the universe.

by **lorenzo** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:14:42

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', 'W')hat if a more efficient technology allows the extraction of oil in all the quantities we need, and while this is happening, a new technology is invented to replace oil as an energy source, so by the time oil starts to fade away, we are already covered? How would all the PeakOilers on here react? Would you be like that chick on Saturday Night Live, played by Gilda Radner, who would say "Never miiiiiiiind" whenever she was shown to be wrong?

by **sjn** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:16:47

You really should cut down on those BigMacs... :razz:

There is no way we're going to grow indefinately. Growth into the solar system or even into the universe doesn't solve our problems here, now and into the future. If we expanded to other worlds they would need to be largely independent to be viable, it isn't a solution except for the posiblility for a way of continutation of the species/earthlife.

by **PeakKYJelly** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:19:42

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Phil', 'I')'m a moron. I don't even know what peak oil means. Do you think the world will continue producing more and more oil every year for eternity? Peak oil will happen regardless of other energy technologies. The severity and consequences of peak oil is open to debate.

My thoughts are not original, and in fact, have been covered elsewhere on this site countless times. How about I not post here anymore as I've already proven myself a dumbass.

by **americandream** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:46:31

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Phil', 'I')'m a moron. I don't even know what peak oil means. Do you think the world will continue producing more and more oil every year for eternity? Peak oil will happen regardless of other energy technologies. The severity and consequences of peak oil is open to debate.

My thoughts are not original, and in fact, have been covered elsewhere on this site countless times. How about I not post here anymore as I've already proven myself a dumbass.

by **0mar** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 19:58:45

The world is finite and it doesn't look like we'll be having moonbases in the next 10 years so lets stick to earth. Peak oil has happened for 50+ countries so far. It is only a matter of time before it hits them all. Denying peak oil is denying water is H2O or that the sun provides light and warmth.

by **UIUCstudent01** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 20:19:33

Too many "what if's?"
Too high a goal.

The numbers don't say it.
The media's reaction - abiotic oil, oil is infinite, capitalism and ingeniuty - are not exactly solutions.

What's missing is a solution that continues "the American way of life" (as well as a lot of other countries 'way of life' too). So, if you provide a solution - a fusion powerplant harnessing 90% of the energy - then I'd be glad to look like a fool. Seriously.

by **PO_TimeCr0ss** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 20:25:33

Its a great "What if?"

But that's it...what if.

We would have to develop and implement this new replacement for oil. Not to mention converting most of the worlds energy needs to this new source.

Can we do this all in > 20 years? Unfortunately, I don't think so. I wish we could. But my common sense tells me we cannot.

As for expanding into the solar system, the chances of that happening within 100 years, even at our current state of technology, is very nill.

by **Daculling** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 20:32:43

I think the only way it may not happen is if a giant comet strikes the earth

by **venky** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 20:36:32

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PeakKYJelly', 'W')hat if a more efficient technology allows the extraction of oil in all the quantities we need, and while this is happening, a new technology is invented to replace oil as an energy source, so by the time oil starts to fade away, we are already covered? How would all the PeakOilers on here react? Would you be like that chick on Saturday Night Live, played by Gilda Radner, who would say "Never miiiiiiiind" whenever she was shown to be wrong?

by **nero** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 20:51:10

Come on ease up guys. He is asking us to speculate on the case where peak oil doesn't happen. He isn't asking people to give their opinion on the likelyhood that it will not occur.

In my opinion if peak oil doesn't occur we'll probably go on degrading our environment until some other constraint comes up. My personal favorite is the accumulation of hormone mimicking chemicals leading to serious problems with male vertibrate physiology.

by **cube** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 21:00:36

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hat if Peak Oil never happens?

by **some_guy282** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 21:37:00

You know what? You're right. There's nothing to worry about! We'll probably find some new source of energy even better than oil. And when we continue to grow and consume this planet, we'll just move on to the stars and consume the rest of the planet too. Nothing to worry about, move along...

/sarcasm off

by **some_guy282** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 22:19:40

Dr. Bartlett's must see video on exponential growth:

http://edison.ncssm.edu/programs/colloquia/bartlett.ram

by **earthman** » Wed 20 Apr 2005, 22:21:43

To expect some new technology to replace oil in time reveals the real problem: Us.

New technologies will come but they will not address our real problem: our consciousness.

We were warned by Carter 30 years ago about this very problem. What did we do?

We want to contiune "life as usual," which means massive consumption and waste, regardless of consequences to the entire planet, both people and environment.

The only solution, which I doubt we will take on a collective level, is to change our behaviors and thinking.

Oh well, welcome to the end of the age.

George

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