An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth starring Al Gore.

Global warming adds a new dimension to the issue of Peak Oil.The question is not one of how long the fossil fuels will last but if we can afford to burn them at all. The film shows the extreme danger facing the planet. There is some measurable risk that we could reach a tipping point inthe climate crisis that could occur before Peak Oil.

Ex Vice president Gore did a superb job of articulating the danger. His long record on environmental issues and global warming gives him credibility. Unfortunately, he is also enamored with the concept of the technofix - in this case Carbon Sequestration. His solutions seem to be based on the "seven wedge" approach of Robert Socolaw, director of the Carbon Mitigation Initiative at Princeton University, which include efficiency, conservation, fuel switching, renewables and carbon sequestration.

Mr. Gore emphasized the significance of carbon sequestration. We are concerned that Mr. Gore is blessing the concept of "Clean Coal" a process where the pollutants, including CO2, are stripped from the fuel and buried in the ground or the ocean.
We understand that BP and Ford have donated $20 million dollars to the Carbon Mitigation Initiative. Not surprising as a"powerdown" will dramatically affect (in a negative way) the financial fortunes of those two firms. Mr. Gore is still holding on to the idea of a transition to various technologies so there is no need to change our way of life.

Source: The Community Solution - Peak Oil Update 7/20/06