Energy 101

Energy Technology and Policy

Dr. Michael E. Webber The University of Texas at Austin

Module 30: Energy and Humanity

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Energy is the Dening Element of Humanity

Old denitions of humanity are no longer valid Denition #1: Humans use tools
! so do chimpanzees

The Jane Goo

dall Institute

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Energy is the Dening Element of Humanity

Old denitions of humanity are

no longer valid
! Denition #2: Humans use language ! Koko uses sign language ! more than 1,000 signs of ASL ! Novel combinations ! water bird for duck
Ron Cohn, koko.org

Koko: Born 4 July 1971

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The Way We Manipulate Energy From One Form to Another is Uniquely Human

Only humans control re No other species intentionally

manipulates energy
! especially chemical and electrical energy.

C. Tucker Beckett

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Energy Is The Great Enabler of Things We Value

Lifespan Travel Comfort Health Education

Rene Ehrhardt

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The Energy Problem is the Convergence of Three Crises and is Potentially Catastrophic

The national security

consequences of energy are too severe to ignore.

U.S. Navy

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The Energy Problem is the Convergence of Three Crises and is Potentially Catastrophic

The downside risks of the

climate crisis and other environmental impacts are too severe to ignore.

Alan Wilson

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The Energy Problem is the Convergence of Three Crises and is Potentially Catastrophic

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 make

decisions that lead to their collapse with ecological strain

Collapse is often coincident

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Changing Our Relationship With Energy Might be a Good Thing

s r a c g n i v i r d s p e e k e n o y r e v e f I n u r l l i w d l r o w e so much, then th t a e r g e b l l i w t a h t d n a , s a g f o out o t e v a h l l i w e w because then . n u f e b l l i w h c i h w , s e k i b e d i r , d l o s r a e y 8 , r e Evelyn Webb 7 0 0 2 r e b m e t p e S 23

Peak Oil Means:

! Peak traffic congestion, peak smog, peak obesity

Improved urban arrangements

and connections with neighborhoods
! Fewer divisive highways

Reduced carbon emissions

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Our Old Approach Wont Solve the Problem

Traditional economics, philosophy, culture and engineering

got 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 Transition

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

. y d d a D , r e t a w e h t f f Turn o . e m i t d e e n s t s i t n e i c s The

, d l o s r a e y 7 , r e b b e W n Evely March 2007

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The World Needs New Energy Leadership

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Thank You For Being a Part of This Experience

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Dr. Michael E. Webber

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