Carrol writes: > Frankly, I do not believe that capitalist societies will > ever bring power consumption under control.
Energy (meaning low-entropy energy or exergy) is the only natural resource where our planet has a supply that practically lasts for ever, namely the steady inflow of solar radiation. In every other respect the planet is a closed system. Therefore the economy must come to a state where the inflow of high-grade solar energy powers the recycling of everything else. The natural system does that: every waste product of one species is food for another species, there is no buildup of pollution. Such a circular flow is compatible with the laws of physics because of the steady inflow of low-entropy solar energy. But our industrial system is far from such a sustainable circular flow. This is not an academic issue, it is a burning issue today. Recent research shows that due to bioaccumulation pollution has become unbearable, it decreases the IQs of newborn babies, increases autism, confuses their hormones. Industrial production has to be entirely reinvented. This switch goes far beyond the switch from capitalism to socialism. Renewable energy is only one piece in this puzzle, but it is urgent because of global warming and ocean acidification. The question what the obstacles are for renewable energy and how energy can be stored etc must be solved by every social organization of production, whether socialist or capitalist. It is not a trivial question. The view is widely held in the US that a complete switch to renewable energy is impossible, while Europe is making great strides to do exactly that. It is important to understand the true limits of renewable energy. In other words, I don't think we are glossing over the question of political power if we discuss this. Hans _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
