James Hansen and the Three Categories of the Runaway Greenhouse

[GliderGuider]

8. General agreement except for the relative priority of AGW

I think more than ever now that global warming is the Boojum. If civilization insists on both maintaining its built-out asset base and building more (i.e. growing) we'll have to keep expanding our energy usage. If energy growth stops, the whole enterprise comes apart. So, I rather expect that the world will use every energy source it has available, down to or below an aggregate EROI of 5:1. We'll arbitrage energy sources against each other like crazy - especially so for liquid fuels that are critical to transportation. That effort will keep the carbon pouring out long after there is any energetic benefit being gained.

I used to think that Peak Oil would cause a global economic collapse that would cut our carbon output. I no longer think that will happen. I think we'll scramble every which way to keep the fires burning. It's what tool-monkeys do.

I now think global warming is going to get us, regardless of peak oil, gas or coal. I don't think there is any way to stop it. But hey, we'll keep on trying - that's also what tool-monkeys do.