energy101 module 30

8/13/2019 Energy101 Module 30

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Energy 101Energy Technology and PolicDr. Michael E. WebberThe University of Texas at Austin

Module 30: Energy and Humanity


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Energy is the Defining Element of Hum

Old definitions of humanity are no longe

Definition #1: Humans use tools

!so do chimpanzees

TheJaneGoodallInstitute


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Energy is the Defining Element of Hum

Old definitions of humanitno longer valid

!Definition #2: Humans use languag

!Koko uses sign language

!more than 1,000 signs of ASL

!Novel combinations

!water bird for duck

Koko: Born 4 July 1971

Ron Cohn, koko.org


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The Way We Manipulate Energy Fro

One Form to Another is Uniquely Hum

Only humans control fi

No other species intent

manipulates energy

! especially chemical and elec

energy.

C. Tucker Beckett


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Energy Is The Great Enabler of Things We

Lifespan

Travel

Comfort

Health

Education

Rene Ehrhardt


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The Energy Problem is the Convergenc

Three Crises and is Potentially Catastr

The national securityconsequences of energy are

too severe to ignore.

U.S. Navy


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The downside risk

climate crisis and

environmental imp

are too severe to i

Alan Wilson


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The downside risks of

resource depletion are

too severe to ignore.

October 2003


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Civilization is More Fragile

Than Most People Realize

Civilizations often mdecisions that lead

collapse

Collapse is often co

with ecological stra


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Changing Our Relationship With Ene

Might be a Good Thing

Peak Oil Means:

!Peak traffic congestion, peak sm

obesity

Improved urban arrange

and connections with

neighborhoods

!Fewer divisive highways

Reduced carbon emissio

Ifeveryonekeepsdrivingcars

somuch,thentheworldwillrun

outofgas,andthatwillbegreat

becausethenwewillhaveto

ridebikes,whichwillbefun.

EvelynWebber,8yearsold,

23September2007


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Our Old Approach Wont Solve the Pro

Traditional economics, philosophy, culture and engineerigot us where we are today!Unfettered markets wont solve the problem

!Central planning wont solve the problem

We need new thinkingwe need new philosophers

We need every tool in the toolbox!government

! industry

!collective action


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The World Will Undergo An Energy Tran

Solar to Fossil Fuels to Solar

The fossil fuels interlude will end eventually

! its a question of when and how fast

Whether we manage the transition ourselves, or it

happens for us, is unclear


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We Need More Time

Turnoffthewater,Daddy.

Thescientistsneedtime.

EvelynWebber,7yearsold,

March2007


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The World Needs New Energy Leaders


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Thank You For Being a Par

of This Experience


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Dr. Michael E. Webber

energy101 module 30

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