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Some Observations Agriculture, Oil Consumption, and ‘Sustainability’

Some Observations

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Some Observations. Agriculture, Oil Consumption, and ‘Sustainability’. US Farmers, 1840. Source: US Census and American Community Survey. US Farmers, 1840 & 2008. Source: US Census and American Community Survey. US vs Lancaster County. Source: US Census and American Community Survey. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Some Observations

Some Observations

Agriculture, Oil Consumption, and ‘Sustainability’

Page 2: Some Observations

US Farmers, 1840

Source: US Census and American Community Survey

Page 3: Some Observations

US Farmers, 1840 & 2008

Source: US Census and American Community Survey

Page 4: Some Observations

US vs Lancaster County

Source: US Census and American Community Survey

Page 5: Some Observations

Or should I say…

Page 6: Some Observations

La Tour Eiffel

Page 7: Some Observations

One Cubic Mile of Oil (CMO)

Source: Stanford Research Institute

Page 8: Some Observations

CMO Equivalence

Source: Stanford Research Institute

Page 9: Some Observations

CMO Equivalence

Not to scale(in case you were wondering)

Source: The Oil Drum and my own calculations

Page 10: Some Observations

Thus I conclude…

Page 11: Some Observations

Definition of Unsustainable

That which cannot be sustained.

That which will end.

…when?

Page 12: Some Observations

What is ‘Peak Oil’?

Page 13: Some Observations

Oil-Producing Nations (98)

Post-Peak Oil Producers (64)

www.lastoilshock.com

Page 14: Some Observations

We must assume....

Page 15: Some Observations

Peak Oil

Page 16: Some Observations

And now for some possibly alarming quotations....

Page 17: Some Observations

““The world has never faced a problem The world has never faced a problem like this. Without massive mitigation…like this. Without massive mitigation…

the problem will be pervasive and will not the problem will be pervasive and will not be temporary. Previous energy transitions be temporary. Previous energy transitions

were gradual and evolutionary. were gradual and evolutionary. Oil peaking will be abrupt and revolutionary.”Oil peaking will be abrupt and revolutionary.”

The Hirsch ReportThe Hirsch ReportU.S. Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Energy

February 2005February 2005

Page 18: Some Observations

““The real issue of our age is how we make The real issue of our age is how we make a graceful and ethical descent.” a graceful and ethical descent.”

David HolmgrenDavid HolmgrenPermaculture: Principles and PathwaysPermaculture: Principles and Pathways

Beyond SustainabilityBeyond Sustainability

To Mend, to Tend, to Restore

Page 19: Some Observations

Energy Descent

“…“…the continual decline in net energy the continual decline in net energy supporting humanity, supporting humanity,

a decline that mirrors a decline that mirrors the ascent in net energy that has taken place the ascent in net energy that has taken place

since the Industrial Revolution.” since the Industrial Revolution.”

——Rob HopkinsRob HopkinsFounder, Transition Town TotnesFounder, Transition Town Totnes

The world's first Transition InitiativeThe world's first Transition Initiative

Page 20: Some Observations

““It’s like growing old. You can’t solve that. It’s like growing old. You can’t solve that. However, you can choose to respond However, you can choose to respond

respectfully, wisely and imaginatively to it, so respectfully, wisely and imaginatively to it, so that even ageing can become a source of that even ageing can become a source of

unexpected riches.” unexpected riches.”

Richard HeinbergRichard Heinberg

Page 21: Some Observations

Putting it All in Perspective