Fire: Mankinds Source of Energy and Natures Enemy

Fire has been used in a variety of different forms, whether it is for light, a means of cooking, a means for thermal energy, a disinfectant, a weapon etc. Since the begining of human life, man has always used fire as a means to improve its life. And though through controlled ways we are able to minimally, if not completely, avoid any disasters that can hurt our ways of life. With the small possiblity of a disaster in which we started occured, we are able to, after a few months, rebuild and restart our lives, however that is not the case for nature. Almost every year for the past decade there has been natural wildfires occuring all over California. The effects of these fires are devastating to the ecosystem for many reasons. One of which is the destruction of the enviroments and homes of the plants and animals that inhabit that area which in turn effects the earth perspective of ecology. Then you have the smoke and the pollutants that are burned from the fire is moved throughout the sky which in turn affects the ozone layer. Then you have the large quantities of water that it takes in attempt to put out the fire. Overall, fire when controlled, has been and will continue to be our greatest tool, however in a natural disaster it is the enemy to all aspects of the ecosystem.

Oil and other resources

In the class discussion a few students mentioned that in order for us to get some of our produce and other resources we use up gallons of gasoline as well as giving off carbon dioxide emissions in transporting the materials alone. In the Party's Over they mention that as an alternative to Oil as resource we use corn to provide our cars with ethanol and to fill up one SUV you can feed one person for a year. That alone was a shock. The chapter also mentioned that the countries around the world including ourselves discovered 95% of the oil on earth and 5% is remained to be found and researchers believe that its in the Arctic. Few also believe that if a country makes an attempt to send people to drill for the oil then it could lead to political issues between other countries and eventually could lead to a war.

Fear of the unknown: people have done this throughout history. The time has come to take hold of out fears.

People need to take into their own hands the concept of running out of oil. Being fearful of this does nothing to fix it. If we start to plan for the future and live now as if we do not have anymore oil supplies, people could start to see it is feasible. We could find jobs closer to where we live, begin to grow our own veggies (during spring and summer), use a bicycle to get places we need to go, or even walk, etc. Just doing any of these ideas helps us to prepare for the future, to grasp what will happen if oil was unavailable. If each person would start to do their own part now, then it will make for a better, healthier future for all. “A little goes a long way”. This saying is so true.

Maybe if all fear goes away, smart people could think up new ways of getting energy with/out the usage of oil. Better ideas, calls of action, and leaders informing the public, will help to solve this current problem.

Peak Oil: People ignore it and use it up. What does the future hold if we do nothing now?

Most people live in the here and now, state of mind. Some people worry about where their next meal is coming from, or where they will be sleeping. Others worry about putting their children through college, or making their house payments. These worries are all legitimate, but a very small percentage of our population is worrying about what we will be using for fuel when the oil expires.

What do we plan for during our lives? We plan for school, tests, car payments, rent, weddings, children, house payments, funeral arrangements, etc. Why are we not planning for the oil conclusion. I will tell you. People do not think this is a problem. People think that life will not change that dramatically, if and when the oil runs out, because the government will “save” us. The government will figure out some way to let us keep living the way we have been for decades. Many people think this is all a hoist, that there is no such thing as “running out of oil”. But that people are trying to make a quick buck by “going green”, and using this concept to their fullest advantage.

I think there needs to be clips of what’s happening with the oil peak and dissipation during movie previews, on TV for commercials, maybe even brought into TV shows, to make people aware about the seriousness of this problem.

Our Knowledge of Oil

In class this week we spoke about oil during our discussion and how important it is to us. We use oil for many different things in our everyday life. Many people take it for granted and I will be one to admit that I really do not think about what will happen if we ran out of oil. I am never really worried but after the discussions in class it has me feeling like I should be. Peak oil is the point in time where the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached. I do not think the government makes us aware of how much oil we use or even give us an insight on how our lives might be without it so that we can care more about it. Until I came into this class I did not know how important oil was and its rather scary how our lives would be without it. Our economy relies on oil. So the government should tell and educate people on what could and supposedly would happen to us in the near future. In the Party’ Over it made me wonder are we really killing ourselves by using so much oil. It something that everyone needs to know. I feel like we shouldn’t be worried because it would have been brought to our attention a lot more. I am not really worried but after the reading and discussion in class I feel like I should be.

OIL, OIL, OIL!!! What will it take??

The image on Richard Heinberg's cover to The Party's Over makes a bold and compelling statement.  Are we really ultimately killing ourselves and our population with our immense use of oil?

In class we discussed the definition of peak oil as being the point where we are using more oil than we are extracting.  We are past our limit yet still using oil like its an endless supply.  So if all of what Heinberg states in his book is true why do we continue to do this?  If the country and world is in such an oil crisis, wouldn't you think that the government would step in and warn the public or is it up to us to discover this information for ourselves?  The truth is if you ask the average person about the oil crisis, they probably would have no idea what you were even talking about.  So is the government really afraid of what might happen if they address this issue or do they just not care?

In class we talked about taking a risk vs. being safe.  So is the government simply being safe, a decision that most of us would chose ourselves or is it all for the profit?  "Not only were many policy makers themselves -- including the President, Vice President, and National Security Advisor -- former oil industry executives; in addition, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief petroleum-futures guru, Matthew Simmons, had warned his clients of coming energy-supply crises repeatedly" (Heinberg, 95).  Is this still the case that exists today?  Would the government really put on a smile and act like everything is okay just for their benefit?  Honestly, I think no one really knows the truth and there are simply too many mixed statements and information for anyone to come to a real conclusion.

"Today, we are an oil-based civilization, one that is totally dependent on a resource whose production will soon be falling" (Brown, 27).  Why when we have such luxurious life styles would we want to give ANYTHING up?  Yet if it really comes to it, how much are we as a country and as individuals willing to give up?  I know personally, I would be lost without my cellphone, my car, basically all the things that I take for granted.  Will we simply risk our lives in order to keep the pleasures that most of us now consider necessities or will we really take a step towards downgrading our overall society?  If we do take this downgrade how drastic would it really need to be in order for our civilization to survive?

Personally, I think if everything we've been learning about is really true and is going to occur in our lifetimes, then it will take everyone working together as one to really change.  Yet the real question remains, how could a population of over six billion possibly accomplish this?  How would we change?  Truthfully, I have not the slightest idea and am not even sure this is possible but I do know it would take a lot of sacrifice and trade offs.  Would solar and wind power become our primary means of energy?  Would cars, busses, trucks, and all means of road transportation fail to exist?  In the end, I really have not the slightest clue but hopefully someone, somewhere has the answer.

• Brown-Plan B 3.0
• Heinberg-The Party's Over

Who is telling the truth? How are we to determine this?

So in class this week we took a moment to change the perspective from what it has been since the begining of the sememster. Instead of continuing with the information on how bad it is and is getting as well as all the "bad things" to come if we continue on our current pace, it was asked is all this talk for real? How are we to know?
Personally I am not to sure if I believe all that we have been exposed to in the class. I do feel that the need to conserve and protect our resources and environment. But I do feel that some of the warnings are a bit much. Will oil ever run dry? Yes I am sure at some point, however I really don't feel I will see it in my life time. I feel this way because I believe that if we have meet peak oil in many places and are within a few years of peak oil in other places a larger scale sense of urgency would exists world wide not just in some pockets of the US.
I think our nation has all the resources to come up with an alternative fuel source but, we are holding back. Why? Well $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ may have something to do with it. Oil is the"cash crop" of the new world. I feel the extraction, production of both oil and new alternate technologies is such a money maker that they are being exploited for profit and the negative effects are not thought of as great enough to change the way things are.
Lastly I feel this going "green" concept started with good intentions but now it is being exploited. Think about it if you have a product or service that is considered not environmentally good like gas companies, slap a "going green" label on it and people will still buy. Also its now used as a tool and ploy in politics.
I really feel its hard for the average "Joe" to determining whats for real and whats just garbage in and garbage out. Opinions and facts get intermingled as emotions run high on this subject. Many who feel strongly have trouble remaining objective, while those look to gain greatly financially also have reason to alter facts to insure there potential $$$$$$$$$.
Who knows for sure not me I guess that's part of the problem in its self.

Do we really care, or do we just say we do?

Throughout the Bush Administration, control of the Middle East oil production had been a consistent project. With constant struggle in oil extraction, it seems as if the price of extracting has increased. However, this may not be the case. The prices of barrels have increased, the amount of oil taken has increased, but do we really understand why? Is it because we demand more oil, for more necessities? But, if the prices keep rising-are we really demanding at this incredibly high price? The most fascinating fact is that our previous president himself was a former oil industry executive. Shouldn’t we have had some hope in him- he SHOULD have held some basic knowledge of the path that should be taken, considering the previous leader of our nation had “proper knowledge?”

If you consider Hubbert’s peak vision- it could make sense in many possible ways. However, the way our society runs today it is merely impossible to even predict an estimate time of “peak” arrival. ’s peak vision- it could make sense in many possible ways. However, the way our society runs today it is merely impossible to even predict an estimate time of “peak” arrival. There are too many unexpected events that can occur that will skew the “curve”. Events such as wars, recessions and many others too name will diminish the idea of an estimate. Also, it needs to be recognized that within the past thirty years, the amount of energy recovered compared to the amount of energy expended has changed dramatically. This should be purely expected. Our advances in technology could potentially better this situation or even stimulate failure. Many forms of extraction technology are not able to properly extract the oil.

There needs to be a tool, which can properly extract the oil in a way where it is completed efficiently. In the place that we stand today, we need to make sure that we are expending energy the proper way. If oil is extracted inefficiently, we will end up using more energy in the future (energy which we do not have to spare).Everyday people who are not involved in the idea of energy do not take the subject as serious as they should. Many are not considering many gas stations are closing down- companies are integrating. Every gas station we pass, we seem to drive even further just to look for a minimum decrease in price. The price seems to matter to all of us, however is the idea of energy crossing peoples mind? We need to be able to adapt a proper way to plan for the future.

We always read articles about the past and the present. We blame events that occurred in the past on government. It would be more beneficial if we concentrated of what is going on today, and to worry about how to fix the present in order to have a future. Imagine waking up and walking to your car to go to work or school and actually thinking about when the peak of oil will come. Most of us will not consider this before we fill up our tanks daily or weekly- it is just out of our comfort zone considering most Americans today have a lot available to them (of course, because international countries provide these resources for us. What is going to happen, if we continue to consume as much as we do and stop caring about proper extraction technology? We are all scared to take a risk for change because we do not know what the outcome will be. However, at this point- we have reached such a low that it may not even matter what the outcome will be. We have to take chances in order to better our society.

Instead of saying that we care about bettering out society and pretending that we “care”- we actually need to care.

• Partys Over

Mercury...NOT the planet.

In our world today, the obesity epidemic is easily observable to any person walking around on the streets. Due to fast food, and unhealthy eating habits, America is at the top of the list with the highest rate of obesity in the world. This in fact may be due to the way we are raised, where easy access to cheap unhealthy fast food is an acceptable way of life to many citizens. However, people that want to better their quality of life turn to other healthy foods, and we trust that foods such as grilled chicken as tuna fish are healthy for you just because of appealing nutrition facts. After glazing at the back of a can of tuna fish, you see that tuna fish is fairly low in fat, and very high in protein. What the “fish manufacturers” forget to tell you is that fish that we eat every day has high volumes of mercury, toxins, and bacteria which the fish pick up during their life in the water. This is when we turn to the media to find out what is good for our body and what may be harmful. It just seems as though the media is “missing a piece of the puzzle.”

I believe that there are many facts that the consumers of the fish that is distributed around our country, and around the world are unaware of. If you watch the news, you may hear stories that high mercury levels is fish are harmful to people and we should not consume large quantities of the fish due to this. However, in my opinion, the media does not give necessary reasons or guidelines of how much mercury and toxins and in the fish, and how much consumption will cause negative health risks. I believe that the government is understating the health issues behind the consumption of large quantities of fish. I believe that they are just letting us know that mercury is harmful to people, but not warn us to a sufficient level, due to the amount of business that fish brings to people all around the world and our economy. They may be doing this, so the government cannot have charges pressed on them when the harmfulness of the consumption of fish becomes more prevalent. When health issues become more serious, the media can just tell us “I told you so.” Fish is expensive, especially exquisite sushi restaurants in which we pay high prices to eat our delicate and “healthy” food. Since fish is so expensive, for the most parts, I believe greater safety precautions should be practiced, no matter what the cost, because the health of a large portion of our world is greater than a few minor economic issues.

Our government is sending the mothers of our country mixed signals. The news is telling our pregnant women that consumption of fish during pregnancy is healthy and good for the development of the embryo. However, scientists are telling us that high levels of mercury should be avoided, and if they are not, then this may result in malfunctions of poor development of the embryo. The back of a can of tuna fish does not tell you the level of mercury in the fish that you are eating, so mothers are faced with a predicament. Should they eat fish to better their child, or avoid fish due to the fact that it may harm their child? Although mothers others are filled with mixed signals from the media, the consumption of fish is not the only “grey area.” The media also gives parents all sorts of different advice regarding breast milk, and whether “formula” for their infants is better than breast feeding. The government needs to keep on top making the people aware of the safety regarding our consumption of food, and rely less on how their decisions will affect the economy.

Is Oil like Water to People?

People need water to live, with out a doubt; but do we really need the use of oil to survive?

This question of needing oil to survive arises throughout the movie, "The End of Suburbia". People have become very dependent upon oil; what it does for us, ways we can use it, and all the other positives. What people do not think about is what it is doing to our earth, atmosphere, and civilization as a whole, as we have been using it all up over the years. We are becoming lazy because of oil. Instead of walking to get places or riding a bicycle, we hop in our cars, trucks, or hummers and drive down the block. People don't even think about it now. Forget about how much better it would be for our bodies, but think about the earth and all the pollution that we wouldn't be contributing by doing this.

Oil is used for making fuel to run everyday machines, such as automobiles, factories, etc. We as a whole have become so dependent on oil that if it were to run out, as it soon enough will, then our lives would be much different. This thought actually gives me anxiety; chest pain even. How would we get anywhere, what would happen to life as we know it today, why have we let this happen to earth?

So in a way yes, we have grown into an era that is now dependent on fuel the way people are dependent on water to live. No, we wouldn't die without fuel, but life would become much different and many changes would need to occur in the way that we live our lives.

Before starting this semester or entering the lecture hall in which we learned about this disgraceful subject of people taking advantage of our fossil fuel, I had no idea this was even a problem. I always thought life would be the same for our lifetime. We wouldn't run out of things we use everyday, such as oil, and other fossil fuels. Now I'm ashamed of what people have been doing over the years. I'm also scarred for what the future holds in store for us as we grow older. Our fuel needs to be treated as if it were going extinct, because it is. This subject needs to be made known to the public, on the news, in papers, and magazines, etc. Everyone needs to know about this!

The gaining of knowledge

The Earth’s human population continues to grow every second of every day. This exponential growth explosion has largely been facilitated through the extraction and refinement of fossil fuels. An interesting fact in Heinberg’s, The Party’s Over, stated that 2 to 5 billion people would not be able to sustain life without the use of fossil fuels and oil products (i.e. synthetic fertilizer). Basically, the extraction of this resource has sky-rocketed our expansion beyond any previous “carrying capacity” limits. This is a staggering realization as to how much our daily lives and societies rely on an ever-diminishing resource.

As we continue to consume this resource (or any resource for that matter) faster than it is replenished, we face an inevitable conclusion: One day there will not be any left. We have seen this mathematical equation played out many times and also discovered that it was the underlying reason for the collapse of Easter Island’s civilizations (eradication of the island’s trees).

If we choose to accept this as our fate then we mustn’t stray far from the path we are already on. The problems we are faced with are complex, sometimes so complex that we try not to even think about them. However, every day that we do confront these problems and ask questions, our chances of survival increase. These problems that we face today will not just effect our generation but also many generations to come.

A world-wide understanding of this unsustainable, down-ward spiral we are all involved in could only be a good thing. It will help us to realize that we are all interconnected; that we the people along with the animals, plants, rivers and oceans are part of this vibrant ecosystem on Earth.

Should we be worried?

After watching the video in class about how obese Americans are becoming I feel everyone should be worried and people need to take some kind of action on trying to eat healthier. Though these food companies are making lots of profit off of the fatty foods they provide, they also should try and make things for children a little more healthier and appealing. They make the fatty foods look appealing and we really do not see much about healthier foods. Targeting younger children is very bad because they grow up with these unhealthy eating habits. Fast foods are usually cheaper and easier to find in my neighborhood but I also see alot more obese people than I do healthy people nowadays which is not good. So the government which has so much money and power I feel should take affirmative action and help do something about this. The majority of people are usually going to eat what is easier to get to and nowadays its fast foods. If we had more healthier things to go to obesity would not have such an increase.

Does it really matter??

With the age of information upon us and all the worlds data and information at our finger tips why is all this going on around us almost un-noticed? Is it the greed of mans need for wealth and power? Energy is resoponsible for everything in our world, including the gaining wealth. In general as a whole people are not willing to part with there "things" and ways of life no matter what the results will be. We will use any and all energy we can get our hands on inorder to live the way we are now so accustom to. Who is really willing to give up their lifestyle save a little energy thus conserving the planet. Deep down ask yourself will you give up your cell, IPod, gaming systems, audio systems, cars, large over sized homes, un-need amounts of clothing half of which is hardly if ever worn ,and item after item...........? So in the end does it really matter that our Earth is begging us to stop raping it, if only a tiny percentage of us is concerned with conservation and reduced consumption of energy? The info is out there, yet small efforts are being made and most of the "'Green Movement" is just lip service to keep those who are deep into the cause some what pacified. Do I have the answer no, am I total willing to go without some of my comforts I am so used, not fully so while many are like me where and how do we go from here? Who knows but its not looking to good at this juncture.

Who is really to blame?

America today is praised by it's citizens for its ability to obtain anything and basically everything at the drop of a hat, but is this really the best way?  People constantly talk about how they would love to have the "perfect body" yet continue to stuff their faces with snack and fast foods.  The simplest answer to why people continue to do this... convenience.  At 7pm after a long day of work and stress the last thing most people want to do is go home and cook a meal that takes hours to make when they could quickly stop at one of the hundreds of fast food locations on their way home.  Yet are the government and media really to blame for the nations obesity or is it simply our own fault?  In the film How to Get Fat Without Really Trying, many simple facts are stated.  Each year the government puts the most money into products that in turn become the infamous junk foods we crave.  The media spends billions on marketing foods and twice as much money on advertising to children than it did years ago.  Both the government and the media know that with the fast pace lives of almost everyone in America today who has time to cook a large meal or sit at the supermarket and examine the nutrition facts on everything they purchase.  The fact is it is simply easier to eat unhealthy, not to mention less expensive.  The American population today, including young children is more obese than ever but who is really to blame?  The big businesses who make millions by selling unhealthy foods?  The government who knows what is healthy yet provides the most support to the unhealthiest providers? Or is it really us, the ones who know and have been told what is bad yet continue to do it anyways? Smokers know that smoking is unsafe but do they stop? No. Theifs know that stealing is wrong but do they continue to steal? Of course. Drug addicts know that their addiction could possibly and probably will led to their death but do they stop? Why would they, they haven't died yet?  Just because someone says something is wrong is never and will never be enough for people to stop.  People always look for someone to blame besides themselves.  The government knows that they should put more money into healthy producers, the media knows they shouldn't be advertising to such a young audience, and yes, even we know that when we shove that twinky in our mouths there are  consequences.  Ultimately, everyone is to blame for the obesity issue that exists and continues to grow today.  However, it will take a huge and significant event for us as human beings to ever change our ways.  

Are we too comfortable?

Whether we are young adults, living on campus in a dorm that barely fits one or at home with a family- we are always on the run. We live in a society that is always scavenging for time and it seems like the clock moves too fast. We rely on many consumer goods in order to get us through the day. Whether it’s a car to get to class faster, or an I-POD that makes the walk to class seem quicker, we all rely on something to make the day better. As seen in the movie in class on September 9th, it showed that most of our products come from different countries. Is it easier for us to buy products that are cheap and convenient to buy at a local wal-mart? Or would be rather go out of the way to find products which will help out local shops? Would we all prefer to purchase our goods in a local market and cook fresh everyday and night? Of course we would, but many of us couldn’t even fathom where we would find the time for that. Between school work, family, friends, jobs, and last minute papers to write- a local fast food place sometimes seems like the best option. Most of us know the consequences that may occur if we continue to support big industries which waste money (purely waste). However, as individuals we don’t always do much to make a change. We go through a full gas tank, always expecting the local Mobil, Exxon or Shell to have plenty more for each of us. But, the truth of the matter is one day it won’t be there for us. Perhaps we are all too accustomed to this lifestyle-that’s portrayed as a utopia.

What will become of us when all the OIL is gone

After viewing the video in class today, as I drove my SUV home I thought for the first time what it would be like to not have some of the comforts in life that I often take for granted. I started thinking about what it would be like to see my SUV that I have worked so hard to buy just sit in my garage and not be used because there is no gas. Then my thoughts moved toward how will I heat my home, even where will I work. Without fuel the business I manage could not go on. I truely am not sure what the future holds, but I do know that I will continue to try to conserve energy the way I was taught by my parents, and grandparents, however the reason I will conserve will be for preservation of these resources not just to save money on my bills. Only time will tell but I feel its never too late to start to change some of the ways in which we live. After all every little bit helps.

How to sustain the earth while using the ecosystem?

In the article it mentions that we the people are using the earth's basic resources from its ecosystem but at the same time we are also destroying the earth in order for us to survive. For us to carry out our daily life processes we are sometimes polluting the earth unknowingly. Is there truly a way in which we can all live our lives without harming the environment?

Be Brave - Post!

Is there really nothing to say?