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Post by lazarus on Sept 9, 2010 0:50:35 GMT 1
A study by a German military think tank was leaked on line and is reported in Der Spiegel. www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html
"The team of authors, led by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Will, uses sometimes-dramatic language to depict the consequences of an irreversible depletion of raw materials. It warns of shifts in the global balance of power, of the formation of new relationships based on interdependency, of a decline in importance of the western industrial nations, of the "total collapse of the markets" and of serious political and economic crises. "
"According to the German report, there is "some probability that peak oil will occur around the year 2010 and that the impact on security is expected to be felt 15 to 30 years later." The Bundeswehr prediction is consistent with those of well-known scientists who assume global oil production has either already passed its peak or will do so this year".
I know Richard Branson and some other business leaders have expressed concerns recently. When do others think 'Peak Oil' will occur and what will be the main consequences? |
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Post by havelock on Sept 9, 2010 11:46:18 GMT 1
From my recent employment I know that MOD is very concerned by access to fuels for many reasons.
Ensuring sufficient fuel for operations is difficult, costly and risky.
Transporting fuel to forward operating bases is dangerous and can lead to deaths from e.g. ambush
Guarding and protecting fuel in transit takes soldiers away from other possibly critical duties
Fuel is expensive and even the MOD has to tighten its belt (I know - I've just been 'let go')
These issues have led to MOD researching and developing more fuel efficient systems and alternatives such as regenerative breaking for tracked vehicles.
They're not jumping on a 'green bandwaggon' - they recognise that scarcity of fuel could be an issue that could cost lives and ultimately lead to mission failure.
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Post by StuartG on Sept 9, 2010 15:12:53 GMT 1
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Post by marchesarosa on Sept 9, 2010 15:19:37 GMT 1
Do they think depletion of current resources will be accompanied by a depletion of global IQ ?
Basic economics - when the price of a product increases substitutes will be found.
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Post by StuartG on Sept 9, 2010 16:07:08 GMT 1
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Post by havelock on Sept 9, 2010 16:08:51 GMT 1
Basic economics - when the price of a product increases substitutes will be found. For the military, it is also a matter of operational effectiveness - the less one has to transport fuel about the, the safer the troops. Hence their desire to find ways of improving the efficiency of use of fuel as well as alternatives to petrochemicals. Fuel from waste is an ideal solution if it can be made to work effectively. Disposal of waste is also a security issue* and nobody wants an overflowing latrine. www.qinetiq.com/home/markets/energy_environment/energy_from_waste.html#"QinetiQ is developing a Pyrolysis Waste Disposal System for the US Army that can process up to 100 kg of waste an hour and reclaims some of the thermal energy generated." * Tankers used to empty latrines and take this waste away are liable to be targetted by unfriendly forces as their drivers are either collaborators or operational staff. More resources are then required to 'guard the shit' |
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