Category Archives: Planning for the Future

Too many promises; too few future physical goods

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Gail Tverberg

The world is filled with financial promises, including loans, pensions, and even the market value of stocks. So far, the system seems to be working, but in a finite world, it is hard to believe that the system will work indefinitely. Governments can create money simply by adding more promises, but they cannot create goods and services in a similar fashion. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Implications, Planning for the Future | Tagged , , , | 1,375 Comments

Sierra Club talk that may be of interest

Posted on September 13, 2025 by Gail Tverberg

One of the chapters of the Sierra Club of Minnesota has asked Joseph Tainter and me to give talks on October 25 at what is being billed as Minnesota’s First Degrowth Summit. Continue reading →

Posted in Planning for the Future | 1,694 Comments

What should individuals do in a world filled with conflict?

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Gail Tverberg

Regardless of how things play out, it is the physics of the self-organizing system that determines what happens next. No matter how offended we as individuals may feel regarding what some political party or politician has done or has not done, individuals are not able to fix the system, except to the extent that available inexpensive energy supply allows such a fix. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Implications, News Related Post, Planning for the Future | Tagged , , | 1,547 Comments

Southeast Asia can perhaps avoid the worst impacts of inadequate oil supply

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Gail Tverberg

Southeast Asia’s warm, wet climate is helpful, as is its supply of coal, particularly in Indonesia. Many of the people in this part of the world are used to living in cramped quarters–three generations in a large one-room home, for example. Abundant forests provide a renewable source of energy. Religious traditions help provide order. Continue reading →

Posted in Planning for the Future | Tagged , | 1,673 Comments

Reaching Limits to Growth: What Should our Response Be?

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Gail Tverberg

Oil limits seem to be pushing us toward a permanent downturn, including a crash in credit availability, loss of jobs, and even possible government collapse. In this process, we are likely to lose access to both fossil fuels and grid … Continue reading →

Posted in Planning for the Future | Tagged , , , | 503 Comments