Comments on: Net Energy: The cost of living

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:01:52 +0000

The Net Energy concept should be taught in every basic education as a basic subject. It is better taught with ecology and Natural Energy in Physics. The world leaders should realize this basic concept. It is because no matter how good the leaders would claim and no matter how good they can show progress and productivity as long the equation tells us that the net energy is negative- it will and always be not sustainable and will never do good in the long run.

By: Kavin

Kavin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:09:22 +0000

Dear Rex,

I just discovered your writings through the Greenpeace website, and I wanted to tell you that I am a big fan – the information that you cite is going to be of immense use for me when discussing global environmental change with others.

Recently I watched the movie/documentary ´The Age of Stupid´ which I thought was excellent, and they suggested a system by which each person had an energy usage quota which would allow for limited consumption of energy. I wondered what you thought of this system!

Thanks.
Kavin

By: Andrea Peloso

Andrea Peloso — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 11:08:23 +0000

Re: Sierra Club trips to Hawaii Okay seriously, "Go Green and win a free trip to Hawaii" does not help. Flights, period, are horrible for the planet. Let alone one just for leisure. Another example of how some eco organizations are really missing the mark and wasting opportunities to push for real change. Rex Weyler: I thought this was a spoof when I first saw it. Something from the Yes Men or AgiPop, but no, it is real. The Sierra Club offering two flights to Hawaii for the lucky winners who "reuse your shopping bags" or "contact a politician about a green issue." It' going to take a lot of shopping bags to offset a flight to Hawaii. I worry that people running some of these "environmental" groups don't know enough about ecology and don't spend enough time in nature. John Muir must be weeping in his grave.

By: Karen Schwartz

Karen Schwartz — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:44:10 +0000

It is great to see people in the ecology movement discussing some of these fundamental principles. Our so-called “green business leaders” do not yet seem to understand how these rules of ecology and energy will limit their choices. The arrogance of humans could be our downfall.

For those who want to investigate more, here is a useful treatment of the “Ten fundamental principles of Net Energy” by Cutler Cleveland on the Encyclopedia of Earth website.

The Encyclopedia of Earth website is a good source of serious ecological analysis.

By: Adrian Fisher

Adrian Fisher — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:34:22 +0000

Every time I read one of your posts I learn something new. Thank you for continuing to write. I’ve just returned from Climate Progress where they are discussing geo-engineering in a “rational” manner. What a relief to read your site, which makes sense and discusses the, to me, real issues.