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Peak Oil and Science?
November 27, 2007 by Eric the Leaf, 1 year 51 weeks ago
Comment id: 26183
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I’d like to add a little more to this discussion, seeing as how the peak oil topic does not appear frequently on science-related blogs unless it is tied tangentially to issues surrounding global warming. This is the gist of my comment and my question.
I think there are many reasons. I will forward one for argument’s sake. To wit: global warming science, comparatively speaking, is uncomplicated. You take the forcings, do some addition and subtraction, and come to the conclusion that human action has contributed to global warming. Flash to polar bears looking for ice, hurricanes bashing New Orleans or Bangladesh, ice caps melting—you get the picture. Science has discovered the true nature of the problem and science, along with enlightened political leadership, will be the solution! If only people would listen. Save the planet!
Peak oil? What’s that? It sounds kind of messy. Maybe it’s a political issue or some technical problem. Isn’t it just a bunch of retired geologists sounding the alarm anyway? Get a few plug-in hybrids—problem solved. Not really an issue for serious science guys (and gals) and certainly not of comparable magnitude to global warming, right?
What do you think?