The Paradox of Energy Efficiency

[GliderGuider]

2. Yes, I agree with you on all counts. Unfortunately...

We won't ban new FF plants.
We won't restrict FF supply.
We won't ban the development of new extraction.
We won't put punitive carbon taxes in place.
We won't use any carbon tax money that we do collect for any good purpose.
The fossil fuel industry won't die.
This civilization won't survive.

But we will keep praying fervently (with folded invisible hands) to the Market God, and making up all kinds of excuses (like lack of faith?) when He doesn't come through as requested.

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It's time to decide how we are going to feel about all this. Miserable? Or joyful? I'm leaning towards joy, myself. My latest FB status on the subject:

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is hugely enjoying Life at the End of the World.

I can’t believe how lucky I am to be alive and awake right at this precise moment in history, standing on what feels like the pinnacle of a peak experience, with both the past and the future arrayed all around in full view. Yes, the slopes descend steeply in every direction, but imagine how boring it would be if we were still standing placidly on the savanna.

There is more juice to be sucked from this experience than we can begin to imagine. I’ve realized that I’m done with wallowing, I’m done with despair, I’m done with apologizing for feeling OK about how it’s all unfolding.

We have ended up here, right where we are. That means that all the forces of the universe – everything from the laws of physics to our own human nature – worked together to bring about this outcome. Given all that, we couldn’t have ended up anywhere else. It’s physically impossible.

So what are we to make of this, with all the resolute awareness we’ve brought to the table? Should we grieve? Should we dance? Should we throw a wake or a bon voyage party? How about all of the above? Well, I’ve done my grieving. I know Kubler-Ross by her first name, so you’ll have to excuse me if my garments stay un-rended.

I’m in the mood to celebrate. What a ride this is! What a ride it has been, and is yet to become! What a ride – I never would have dreamed such a thing was possible.