Very interesting debate here between Simon Michaux and Nafeez Ahmed on whether and how it can be possible to build out enough renewable generation to maintain our existing level of energy profligacy. But what I would like to hear much more thinking about is whether it's desirable to be this profligate of energy?
@mmalc I've thought for a long time that in the next century heavy industry would probably migrate to the coasts surrounding the Sahara, for the availability of solar energy. But I'm now really questioning whether a high-energy economy really serves many people well at all, and whether we might not get a much better quality of life for most people with much less work, and much less consumption of both energy and material goods.
@simon_brooke
I think that's certainly one of a number of possible "solutions" — that evolve as technologies and needs themselves evolve.
For example, the ability to transmit electricity over vast distances (and oceans) probably expands options — we don't necessarily have to site heavy industry adjacent to the Sahara. But we can get to where we need to be faster with less consumption, and per your observation I suspect we’d find ourselves happier.
@simon_brooke
We should still be able to support, for example, “personal mobility”, but using e-bikes and small, lightweight, durable vehicles, not urban tanks.
@mmalc I'm kind of doing all those things – to the best of my ability – in my own life, and yes, I do think my life is better (though not easier) for it.
@simon_brooke Limiting energy usage reminds me of a SF story about how aliens conquered earth and kept their domination by limiting our access to technology. I think we are inexorably headed toward a Type 1 Civilzation - if we can gain wisdom and avoid our extinction.
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