In Conversation: Consumerism After Fossil Fuels
The creation of the consumer economy—a complex, interconnected system of institutions, goals, rewards, and punishments—was one of the great social projects of the twentieth century, when energy was cheaply abundant and two of our chief economic problems were overproduction...
This #ProgrExit Starts with your Longing
Nobody knows what the Brexit vote will mean for the UK. People are reeling after a campaign marked by very poor quality debate, some deeply dangerous and divisive framing, a decision many didn’t really understand and an election where...
Our Renewable Future Event – video
David Fridley Richard Heinberg
Post Carbon Fellows David Fridley and Richard Heinberg, co-authors of Our Renewable Future: Laying the Path for One Hundred Percent Clean Energy explore the future of clean energy and how a fully renewable energy supply will shape our lives...
Tiptoeing Through the Renewable Energy Minefield
I spent the last year working with co-author David Fridley and Post Carbon Institute staff on a just-published book, Our Renewable Future. The process was a pleasure: everyone involved (including the twenty or so experts we interviewed or consulted)...
New Report Knocks Down Pro-Pipelines ‘Fantasies’
By Andrew Nikiforuk, The Tyee. Politicians who advocate for more bitumen pipelines and LNG exports are making a “have your cake and eat it too argument” because there is no way Canada can meet its climate change commitments under...
Along a Desert River, A New Breed of Rancher
Rancher Paul Schwennesen in the riparian forest along the San Pedro River, which abuts his land. Schwennesen is shifting to native grasses and water-thrifty crops to save water for the river. Photo by Sandra Postel “I don’t know what...
What if: ATMs issued local currencies?
Banks. We can’t live with them, we can’t live without them. Yet. Much has been written about the role of banks in creating austerity, and coercing whole nations to dismantle and sell off public services and national assets, while being...
The Boiling Pot
On the surface, things appear normal. The status quo of life in America circa 2016 isn’t to everyone’s liking, but at least the system is still working after a fashion. The price of oil is going up a bit:...
Possible Energy Constraints to Further Urbanization
The following is an excerpt from a chapter by Richard Heinberg which is included the new book Can a City Be Sustainable? (State of the World) by The Worldwatch Institute. The last few decades have seen dramatic urban expansion as...
Resilience + Resistance: A Recipe for Justice and Sustainability
By Chuck Collins, Sarah Byrnes This morning in Boston, seven people sat down in front of construction equipment, blocking construction of a fracked gas pipeline coming into the heart of the city. This evening, the Jamaica Plain Time Exchange...