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permaculture - Re: [permaculture] From TruthOut - A new discussion on the future of Energy

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  • From: Stephen Sherman <spsherm@msn.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] From TruthOut - A new discussion on the future of Energy
  • Date: Sat, 08 May 2010 17:49:42 -0600

Since you asked, I'll offer my take on these possibilities...

Regardless of whether or not this or some of the other "new" energy sources ever pan out, if they do it would be an unmitigated disaster for the planet and ultimately humans as well.

The big problem is not that we chose the wrong energy source(s) to rely upon (ones that give off CO2, or are depleting too fast, or whatever). Rather it is that humans have little or no common sense when it comes to the systems they create and how they fit into the natural systems of the planet on which they live and humans rely. Given a few sources of cheap, abundant energy humans have used them to build structures and systems that are at odds with the very natural systems they depend upon. Ultimately degrading those natural systems to the point that life itself is seriously hurt, including human life. This assessment may be harsh, but I believe it is accurate.

As we start running into the limits of those existing energy sources, I see little indication that we as a species have learned anything regarding our mistakes. If we are forced to face the results of our actions as conventional energy becomes scarce, we might learn enough to avoid making the same mistakes again. If we happen to stumble onto a new source of energy before we face our past mistakes, I expect we will merely repeat the past mistakes again, on a larger scale.





On 5/8/2010 11:43 AM, Jody Troupe wrote:
Open Call to Permies-

This doesn't really address the previous question since there was a
lot there. In fact, it probably complicates it.

I was wondering how the perm. community would feel about a new kind of
energy - one that is non-polluting, doesn't require an infrastructure
(like electricity needs power lines), and doesn't require raping the
earth for oil or coal?

I'm asking because, an energy such as that may allow for the
continuation of the very things currently regarded as luxurious and
destructive. If the power source were changed, would things such as
world travel take on a new light? Or something as simple as having a
powered vehicle to get around town? Or having lights in your house?
(Of course, that doesn't fix the toxic nature of the computer. That
would be a separate topic).

I'm asking because, this possibility IS LIKELY in our future.

How would permaculture look in the face of a new energy that more than
qualified as sustainable?

If you want to start researching it on your own, here are a couple
sites. I'm not talking about some guy working out of his garage
somewhere. There are sustainable forms of energy that have been used
by some factions for DECADES and these should be available to us. We
should be furious.

This power IS our future if it can just be brought to light. Here are
just two of the very brave souls that have been working on it.


Brian O'Leary
Former Astronaut, PhD in Space Sciences, scientist, retired professor
from Cornell

"Nuclear power. Carbon sequestration at coal plants. Ethanol-from-
corn. Other kinds of biofuels. Carbon cap-and-trading. Hybrid cars.
Gas-turbine micropower. Efficient powerplants. Hydrogen economy.
Hydropower. Geothermal energy. Solar. Wind. Tides. Waves. Ocean
thermal gradients.
Which one(s) of these will solve the climate crisis and give us a
significant push towards sustainability? The sobering answer to any
truthful inquiry, I am sorry to say, is none of the above. We, in our
mainstream discourse, are almost literally tilting at windmills.

Only second-generation new energy such as zero-point, cold fusion and
advanced hydrogen and water chemistries, have the potential to reverse
humanity’s perilous course towards runaway climate change and
irreversible pollution. Yet nobody with significant public access
knows or wants to know this. Why is there such a disconnect about
this?"http://www.brianoleary.info/None%20Of%20The%20Above.html

3.5 min. video clip interview available at http://www.brianoleary.info/


Dr. Steven Greer
Retired emergency room physician

"The Orion Project is an organization created to transform the current
energy, environmental and social crisis into a world of sustainability
and Enlightened Abundance.

Technological progress in the areas of advanced physics and
electromagnetic systems, if appropriately supported, will enable
humanity to live on the Earth with a minimal footprint with genuine
long-term sustainability.

For over 100 years, these advanced concepts in energy generation have
either been ignored or actively suppressed due to the power of fossil-
fuel based economic and industrial interests."

http://www.theorionproject.org/en/index.html

(I personally attended a week-long event held by Dr. Greer. He has
contracted with a scientist/engineer that has already built over-
unity technologies. It is not theory. Please watch the video series on
the site for more information.)



JodyT








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