Years and years ago I asked on sci.env whether, adding depleted natural
capital to accumulated artificial capital means we're net gaining or not.
But there was no answer. Of course its pretty hard to comeasure them
-William
2008/9/3 [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> We are depleting natural capital (eg oil in the ground), but we are
> also accumulating capital (infrastructure, machines, an educated work
> force).
>
> How significant is the latter compared to the former and how do you
> judge that?
>
> Hydropower dams seem to me a good example. Once built operating and
> maintenance costs are below 1 cent per kWh (average in the US). But
> build a new dam and include the capital cost and it's between 5 and 10
> cents per kWh (average new project in Africa/Asia/Latin America, where
> there is still plenty of potential).
>
> I think for solar power and wind a similar logic applies. They are
> really expensive to build, but once built operating and replacement
> costs are low (foundations might last for thousands of years, silicon
> can be recycled, long distance electricity transmission cables
> underground might also last thousands of years).
>
> Put differently, while we might have to devote 10% of world labour
> forces to build out an infrastructure over a 100 years, and have 2000
> kWh of electricity available per person during the build out; once at
> equilibrium, the same 10% of world labour might be good for 20000 kWh
> per person perpetually; without any technological improvements.
>
> While I think the basic idea of capital accumulation (partially? /
> entirely?) offsetting natural capital depletion is very important, how
> can this sensibly be quantified and illustrated? Should it be?
>
> >
>
--
William M. Connolley | www.wmconnolley.org.uk | 07985 935400
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
Global Change ("globalchange") newsgroup. Global Change is a public, moderated
venue for discussion of science, technology, economics and policy dimensions of
global environmental change.
Posts will be admitted to the list if and only if any moderator finds the
submission to be constructive and/or interesting, on topic, and not
gratuitously rude.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/globalchange
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
