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Tag Archives: diminishing returns
Overview of Our Energy Modeling Problem
We live in a world with limits, yet our economy needs growth. How can we expect this scenario to play out? My view is that this problem will play out as a fairly near-term financial problem, with low oil prices … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged Charles Hall, diminishing returns, economic growth, energy modeling, EROEI, EROI, low oil price
589 Comments
Putting the Real Story of Energy and the Economy Together
What is the real story of energy and the economy? We hear two predominant energy stories. One is the story economists tell: The economy can grow forever; energy shortages will have no impact on the economy. We can simply substitute … Continue reading
Posted in Financial Implications
Tagged commodity prices, debt levels, diminishing returns, low oil price, oil price
486 Comments
How increased inefficiency explains falling oil prices
Since about 2001, several sectors of the economy have become increasingly inefficient, in the sense that it takes more resources to produce a given output, such as 1000 barrels of oil. I believe that this growing inefficiency explains both slowing … Continue reading
Energy and the Economy – Twelve Basic Principles
There is a standard view of energy and the economy that can briefly be summarized as follows: Economic growth can continue forever; we will learn to use less energy supplies; energy prices will rise; and the world will adapt. My … Continue reading
Oil Limits and the Economy: One Story, Not Two
The two big stories of our day are (1) Our economic problems: The inability of economies to grow as rapidly as they would like, add as many jobs as they would like, and raise the standards of living of citizens … Continue reading
Posted in Book draft, Financial Implications, Introductory Post
Tagged collapse, diminishing returns, oil limits, recession
489 Comments
