Richard Heinberg: Peak Oil and the Globe's Limitations

[@michaelmitchell3624]

The Hard To Hear Truth. Thankyou Richard and the Nation for putting this out there and the thing I like most about Richard is that he is someone who genuinely cares and that is hard to find in this generation.

[@nicholastracy4915]

10 Years later and more relevant than ever. Its so upsetting to me, that both sides have politicized the pandemic and climate change, alike. As well as renewable energy. This will undoubtedly make the transition far harder for everyone.

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

So Michael Ruppert was correct about the collapse?

[@AAONMS1]

@@robbenvanpersie1562 yes. Its happening now!

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

@@AAONMS1 let's see

[@AAONMS1]

@@robbenvanpersie1562 You have to consider all that is happening right now in the world and that u might not be being told the truth about why those events are happening such as skyrocketing costs of oil and food and other commodities. Last year Saudi Arabia announced a decrease in oil production by 1 million barrels per day. Last month Saudi Arabia was asked to to increase oil production due to rising prices and Saudi Arabia refused! Why would Saudi Arabia refuse to increase production when they could make more $ than ever?!? Because cause they cant!!!

[@AAONMS1]

Also last year Saudi Arabia announced that had built the 1st hydrogen gas station in Saudi Arabia and begin investing heavy into hydrogen production for fuel ⛽️ Why would Saudi Arabia even consider investing in hydrogen for fuel when it supposedly has many years of oil reserves left?!? The answer is that IT DOESNT. Saudi Arabia can no longer maintain production levels and is now producing oil at a declining rate. And being that Saudi Arabia has been the worlds largest producer the world now has a shortage.

[@MsMikuHatsume]

Too bad this video isn't getting more views than it deserves.

[@8BitNaptime]

Judging by the number of views, 0.0005% of humanity is aware of this video ....

[@dddz961]

It didn't deserve any views at all.

[@captainfatfoot2176]

Well, in 2022 we’ve got the food crisis and the higher fuel prices. Oil production probably peaked in 2019. All together this man was pretty prescient.

[@sinterior2626]

Shame even fewer see it. All the best going forward. Peace

[@mart34]

I have personally spent in the region of 15 to 20 thousands hours researching the subject of Energy Economics, and I agree with Richard on everything he says. I would love to meet him and have a chat, that would be awesome

[@zedjaone]

absolutely incredible. Thankyou for the interview and information.

[@falldownhard]

Nobody can deliver it like Rich Heinberg - he's a brilliant orator. If someone can't grasp peak oil after he talks about it, they never will.

[@pattimichellesheaffer103]

I know this was a long time ago - but we need to develop a way to distinguish between a few key words: Technology vs. Physics, and Science vs. Engineering. Concerns: Physics: "A Perpetual Motion machine is thermodynamically impossible" A technologist who is ignorant of Physics may try to build and sell a Perpetual Motion machine, but would fail in building it because it's precluded by the Physics - although could maybe sell a (nonfunctional) such machine to people who are ignorant of the Physics. This is essentially what is happening in the IPCC WGIII (Anderson et al. [2015-2019]) The nearly-identical concern exists for Science vs. Engineering. What we see is Musk, etc., saying technology will fix the future when the physics states very clearly our limitations. Thus, we need to point these things out because these people are badly misleading the public over what's Physically possible and what isn't!!!

[@HiAdrian]

Really nice interview. Thanks for sharing.

[@ancabostinariu6550]

Very very clear and good information

[@jonas7510]

12 years on , and the lame stream media is still celebrating every little puddle of new oil found . keep on rocking , Richard H !

[@sinterior2626]

Nice too see others are aware, despite our low numbers. All the best. Peace

[@johnhumphrey9953]

Peak oil occurred in 2010. The Republican party is blaming the Democrats for peak oil. Without energy we are in deep trouble.

[@adowns87]

But I like how he makes the connection that our economy is distancing the citizens of this nation from one another.

[@stevenhines5550]

Apply what he said to Liz Truss' government pretending tgere is a growth scenario that can resolve an energy crisis. It fits exactly.

[@allencrider]

Peak oil means the end of the industrial age and massive famine. Are you ready?

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

Not happening in our Lifetime

[@AAONMS1]

@@robbenvanpersie1562 Its happening now. Oil will continue to rise and food shortages are coming soon.

[@JulioGarcia-wp2um]

@@AAONMS1 bull

[@AAONMS1]

@@JulioGarcia-wp2um Believe what you want. It doesn’t matter to me.

[@JulioGarcia-wp2um]

@@AAONMS1 hey bitch nothing happened

[@rlidrazzah]

Working on it.

[@Jay32954]

"Natural" Gas is no better from an environmental perspective.

[@votemonty1815]

You've PEAKed my interest. 😏

[@8BitNaptime]

What happens to the 8 billion people on this planet now? What's the carrying capacity of the planet when the oil-based systems disappear?

[@celiacheung1985]

Well, you can take a look at the population before oil becomes widely used and take the deterioration of the natural resources such as water pollution into consideration. Think about the population at the start of industrial revolution, it was around 1 billion. That is the upper limit of human population. Although the environment has deteriorated, but the knowledge we gain from industrial revolution to now may make it possible to offset some of the negative impact of environmental deterioration. So, perhaps it would be close to 1 billion. For the rest of the population? Well, they will cry, pray and hope. But most of them would meet their demise through war, starvation and violence because everyone wants to be the last one standing. Perhaps there is a miracle energy available that could save the civilization, if that is the case, they probably think that most people are too irrational to be saved. So, live your life as if it is the last day, since it is increasingly likely that it is.

[@KrunchyJD]

In terms of transport, Peak oil is a good thing. Bring in bicycles, and more compact livable walkable cities, with electric rail. Electric rail is VERY efficient. Copy Denmark, etc.

[@pattimichellesheaffer103]

Read Prof. Joe Tainter's latest book "Drilling Down" (Tainter/Patzek) - New information from his previous masterwork: he now defines three modes or models for collapse of civilization: (1) the Roman model (complete economic/resource collapse), (2) the Byzantine model (intentional simplification leading ultimately to survival of the civilization), and (3) the model of Western Civilization (where we are now). The main difference is that we have hydrocarbon fuels to keep our energy/complexity spiral growing. Now that available inexpensive energy is no longer growing, we can choose models #1 or #2 for our path forward. Of course, Tainter would argue that it's not a choice - meaning that our political system is not suited-for-purpose in making this decision.

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

It means we have no Choice and collapse of our civilization is inevitable?

[@pattimichellesheaffer103]

@@robbenvanpersie1562 It certainly looks that way, especially if you consider that all prior civilizations have failed when they exhausted resources. However, there is wealth and power in the current Global Civilization, and knowledge that never existed before (along with meanness and bigotry). Much depends on choices made; however, billions of humans will die - this much is excruciatingly obvious - this is already started. It is not clear who those billions will be, but they will most likely be the global poor. It is possible that wealthy nations in the Anglosphere and China/Russia will attempt to preserve themselves somehow through the collapse. Nuclear war is also a possibility, although this would certainly end civilization. It is very difficult to hear these things, but in fact they are no more difficult than what every human *knows* - that is, that they will die one day. The media everywhere covers these things up, making it harder to hear them and become a centered person.

[@JulioGarcia-wp2um]

@@pattimichellesheaffer103 lies

[@4aSteadyStateEconomy]

The IEA stated that world oil production peaked in 2006, but glossed over the seriousness of the event by assuming that unconventional oil sources would fill the gap and maintain rising output on the flow-rate curve. In other words, they are still in denial about serious scarcity. If you do a Google image search for "IEA peak oil 2006" you'll see a graph of that highly optimistic projection, though they don't seem to be under the illusion that oil will get cheaper.

[@io007a]

so put taxes like in europe to reduce consumption, i'm amazed every time i read about the price of gas in USA, u can use natural gas for cars if gas doubles in price .

[@bomotor]

Yes.. what I said... but how about solving theese: 1. Flight. 2. Fertilizer. 3. Plastic. Hydrogen carries energy, and if you have a surplus of i.e. wind... it needs storage, so whats wrong with hydrogen? If you have more effective storage(for transportation)... feel free to share.

[@diymicha4905]

We're so doomed!

[@joshabcd1234]

@matchbox555 FYI...oil has almost nothing to do with electric generation these days....nuclear can help with electricity, but there is also the problem of peak uranium, storing waste, and potential disaster (Japan). The main use for oil is in transportation.

[@KrunchyJD]

I believe that peak oil is real, and that it is imminent if it has not already happened. Where I disagree is on the notion, that we cannot de-couple the economy from oil, and still have a good lifestyle if we are smart. Oil, based transportation for example is not necesarily better. Take Denmark for example. One of the main forms of transport around the cities in Denmark is the good old bicycle, yet they have a higher living standard then the USA, which is a car culture.

[@diymicha4905]

24:40 sadly our kids will suffer from this lie!

[@Conspiracy2Riot]

@TheRadicalLiberal actually, i think it takes 500 years to replenish an inch of top soil, so you're still right...we're totally fucked.

[@bomotor]

@matchbox555 i have, its not working, especially not in economic terms(compared to cleaner alternatives), its not without waste, its just "better than" uranium - and most importantly... at present its pure theory.

[@powermikertje]

Economic growth may be defined and give value to nature. But I believe that such a system would be extremely flawed.

[@bashful228]

"Electric powered 747s are technologically impossible" why so? Can't jet propulsion be driven by electricity, is combustion essential to jet propulsion. Space shuttle boosters were burning H2 + O2. In combination those (frozen to solid state) gases have high energy density. Renewable energy can create H2, although it's 'expensive' and storage is highly problematic and literally expensive. Back to original question, if a fuel as energy dense as airgas can be created sustainably what is the issue?

[@64jcl]

Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source. It takes more energy to make the hydrogen than you get out from it. Hydrogen is also difficult to store and transport. Electrical wires is a way easier energy carrier so why making it so difficult with hydrogen? Rather than spending a lot of energy making and transporting energy we should build communities around where it is generated and reduce the dependency we have on it.

[@bomotor]

@bomotor Actually the quote is extremely ironic, since it to me sounds like an outline of a scientific method. I'm pretty sure Einstein, Sagan, Darwin and their like - lived it word by word.

[@antred11]

Learn the difference between "resource" and "reserve". While you're at it, educate yourself on "EROEI" and why "flow rates" are as important as reserves.

[@KrunchyJD]

@sh02hp0869 I am not to confident in politicians to be smart enough to deal with this, however, it is possible to deal with peak oil and still have a good lifestyle. I know personally that if we designed our cities in a more compact form, and the major forms of transport were electric rail, bicycles and walking, and NOT cars, I would be HAPPIER, not depressed. I would love to live in a country such as Denmark where they embrace this, and not car culture.

[@64jcl]

Flight will be very expensive so only a small elite will be able to travel by air if at all. Less dependence on transport is essential. Globalization isn't a human right. As for fertilizer and plastic, a lot of biological fuels and oil can be made to keep some manufacturing of essential plastics. Some say electrical cars can act as energy storage of excess energy. Likely no renewable will generate more than the energy we get from oil now, hence very little excess energy available. Who knows.

[@matchbox555]

@joshabcd1234 yes and nuclear can generate electricity for electric and hydrogen powered transportation forget uranium.. we can power nuclear reactors on THORIUM of which there is thousands of years supply... check out thorium nuclear power

[@4aSteadyStateEconomy]

You might want to direct your anger more specifically at "economic growth," which the "global economy" is just a part of. Natural resources get depleted around the globe as growthism chases them down in search of debt-repayment income from "emerging markets," which often refers to population growth in foreign nations. When domestic consumption alone can't pay off a company's (or nation's) growing debt, they go overseas for resources, or outsource for cheaper labor.

[@Kumpen68]

He's being negative? Dunce. He's being right. Crude Oil price today almost 92 bucks a barrel. And rising. Time for "Yawn *sniff sniff* coffee?"

[@MarkZiegler]

Anyone know any good caves out in the New England States for living in? cybersleauth

[@atypocrat1779]

It was call fuel efficiency. Now it’s called CO2 emissions. Whatever you call it, it’s clear growth has stalled. Inflation is here to stay. Maybe AI can fill in the gap of a global decline in fertility to maintain some semblance of today’s modern standard of living.

[@bond_institute]

Can Heinberg substantiate the claim that alternative energy is not feasible? Any proof a jet airplane cannot use electricity? That we could not convert our vast food transportation system to renewable wind and solar? The big question is why do we don't do it? why we dismiss that obvious alternatives, in favor of fear and resignation?

[@amandanerdbotdesumaiden7418]

+Bond Institute I believe there might be alternative energies that can replace fossil fuels. However, we still need to live in a less consumerist culture because we are depleting too many resources, way too quickly.

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

@@amandanerdbotdesumaiden7418 people won't change until its forced. Only oil shortages can do that.

[@jiminy_cricket777]

@MrEnergyCzar and bringing down civilization

[@archerblacksmen3320]

Graphene Oxide will take the place of oil they will put it in everything just like how oil is in everything now graphene oxide is a conductor it's strong and durable and cooler when used as a conductor AI will work well with this its the future.

[@koatlsin]

Only the oil companies will be affected. the industries will jump to magnetic motors.

[@powermikertje]

i think he should give some sources..because he has a nice story but it all seems still rather fictional to me without any numbers.

[@AAONMS1]

Still think its fictional? Look at whats happening world today and then ask yourself if you really belive you are being told the truth. Oil along with many commodities are skyrocketing but I am sure you think the inflation is only temporary and things will go back to normal.

[@Battery9876]

coup de grace not coup de gras lol

[@bomotor]

@G3FORC3 Already living in a green energy abundance... it is possible. Start reading. Hydrogen is engergy loss, but it is also engergy stored(plz tell me that batteries dont lose energy) Hydrogen is a fuel . for pretty much everything that today runs on oil. Try flying a 747 on batteries or nuclear.. Look at some research(ie Dan Nocera) Fertilizer and plastic is a bit of a puzzle tho... can u help on that?

[@bomotor]

@JesusNonEnviromental Thats not a quote, its your interpretation. As earlier stated, you are not the word of god. I will however heed your advice and repent your worldly "wisdom". Mainly because this does NOT say that you are entitled to be deprived, wasteful, ignorant and lacking in convservation.

[@bahamabrz]

Energy "per se" isn't the problem. "Liquid fuels" is the problem. Obama will never understand that.

[@markstaddon4993]

The US military use more then 300.000 barrels a day .

[@stevenmanders1065]

READ THIS . Perpetual exponential growth is a mathematical impossibility. You will have to default to plan B at some time. To see well into the future, use decades as your standard unit of time. Individual years makes you too near sighted. Improving our technology for resource extraction, only accelerates the rate of depletion, it does not make any resources. That in turn makes that resource look abundant while being depleted at an accelerating rate, until there is little worth while to deplete, regardless of demand. Think buffalo, cod fish, timber, homing pigeons. Bigger guns would not have saved the buffalo, bigger saws would not have saved our forests, bigger shot guns would not have saved the pigeons, and better fish finding technology would not have saved the cod fish stocks. That goes for everything ! Society will have to learn that the hard way, again and again. Now, increase the world population by 50 % in a few decades, and cut our resources by half in the same time. Go a dozen more decades into the future. Get the picture.

[@robbenvanpersie1562]

Spot on ! I used to think fracking gave us more oil extraction . But i was so damn wrong. What's your solution to this problem?

[@richardhookway6778]

Negative interest now.

[@matchbox555]

@ppglabrat you make hydrogen with it

[@FlameofDemocracy]

Hydrogen, and its portfolio is so much easier to tap. Why not make common sense moves? Do not bet against innovation, ingenuity, and collaboration.

[@matchbox555]

@ppglabrat and soon we will have this anyway watch?v=AuH500GFrcc

[@markstaddon4993]

Pollution pyramide

[@Battery9876]

coup de grace Richard..

[@garysmith8068]

Doom and gloom

[@moneycrab]

best summed up by the quote at 12:28, "we are really facing a peak everything crisis"

[@garysmith8068]

Russell Garner shut your face hippy.

[@MsMikuHatsume]

Gary Smith he is right. Our current economic system is unsustainable. We need to make huge changes in our life style if we plan on surviving in the future.

[@AAONMS1]

@Gary Smith Still think everything is ok????

[@bomotor]

@JesusNonEnviromental Ahhh ignorance:)

[@adowns87]

He is really negative.