Avoiding a 'Soylent Green' Future

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Peak Oil Equals Peak Energy

Peak Oil is here soon and it will have devastating impacts on the global economy and American way of life. Unfortunately, alternative energies are a myth. There is no real alternative to oil. Solar and wind development will use up lots of oil, natural gas, and coal, and give us electric power -- which is not useful for tractors/combines, trucks, trains, and home heating. See this report for details: http://www.peakoilassociates.com/POAnalysis.html

Clifford J. Wirth of NH @ Apr 24, 2008 22:55:55 PM

"Here is something to keep in mind concerning the sudden Soylent Green hysteria about rising food prices: Resources are limited only by the imagination and creativity of people operating in a free marketplace."

You can't be serious.

The planet does not have an infinite amount of resources. The magical marketplace cannot produce what no longer exists.

HM Krug of NJ @ Apr 24, 2008 19:59:15 PM

"Higher food prices will induce an increase in productivity in developing nations by encouraging greater use of machinery, fertilizers, and other forms of capital."

This is all fine and dandy in theory (which I agree with, BTW), but what this analysis forgets is the political and environmental barriers that will be erected or attempt to be erected by developed nations that think they know better or, even worse, fear that their farmers will be underbid by the farmers of poorer nations.

Chris of AZ @ Apr 24, 2008 18:41:10 PM

Food Production

Food production in the USA and developing countries will fall off when the oil to power tractors and farm machinery, produce agri-chemicals and fertiliser etc. becomes increasingly in short supply. Relying on horses and natural fertiliser will see a fall in output to balanced and sustainable levels, whether this will feed the existing population is seriously in doubt. It is estimated that 5.5 billion people will have to starve to death when mechanised farming ends as oil sources run out!

David Ede @ Apr 24, 2008 17:57:09 PM

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U.S. News business reporter Matthew Bandyk examines the issues, people, and debates that shape the nexus of political and economic life in the nation's capital.

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