Forget Saudi Peak Oil—Worry About Peak Grain

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Peak Oil
The age of human energy has begun and we face the biggest challenge the planet has known in the last 100 years. What we must now do is take a great leap backwards. Globalisation along with cheap energy is an aberration. We must now concentrate on equality as a new paradigm. We do this or we perish. We cannot embrace such a change without acceptance of a universally acceptable moral code. We need absolutes in every sphere of human activity . Humanity has proven its need for moral guidance. Global law based on a fair and just society must now be our ruler. This is our biggest challenge, a challenge that Plato wrestled with and we must too.
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington (NZ)

bryan pepperell 10:47AM June 11, 2008

The Road Ahead / Paul Metz
From: "Paul Metz"
Bryan,
In addition to the introduction of Land Value Taxation instead of existing counterproductive taxes on property, I believe that a broad tax reform is a- if not THE - key instrument to achieve a sustainable, i.e. fair for all the world's citizens and ecologically future-proof. That reform can - and should for political acceptance - be revenue neutral and give price incentives that benefit 'goods' and punish 'bads'.One consequence of this concept I have started to promote recently: the recognition that all world's citizens have equal right to emit greenhouse gases. The new foundation B4FET - Business for Fair Emission Trade - will try to educate the negotiators of the Kyoto Protocol and help establish an allocation of emission rights mechanism that is fair and, as a consequence, attractive for the citizens of all countries (not necessarily for the ruling elites). Key outcome would be that each citizen - as a shareholderof Earth's Global Commons - has an annual coupon, which can be sold and generates a "microdividend". This combines climate protection with fair trade and poverty alleviation, also within rich countries - or, as Dave names it, 'redistribution of wealth'. In my experience 'fair trade' is much less unwelcome in the mainstream than 'redistribution of .... anything'.I hope to inform on B4FET soon; we are now acquiring Dutch sponsors first. Now my weekend is over, I have some clients waiting and look forward to rejoin you next week. Paul Metz Sent: maandag 30 januari 2006 21:50
To: 'Paul Metz'
Subject Oil
Paul
I see we agree on the kind of measures needed but I'm not sure about implementation and political will. I'm all ears on any suggestions about getting the global community to co-operate in time. Recently I watched the Indian Minister for the Environment say that India wanted to do its share of polluting and wasting. We in the West have been very hypocritical with our demands and we show little sign of changing. China feels the same way, not to mention the list of developing countries. I agree we are on our own.
Cheers
Bryan
From: Paul Metz
Sent: Tuesday, 31 January 2006 11:41 a.m.
To: 'Bryan Pepperell'
Subject: Environment and Oil
Bryan,
It is even worse: it is in our self interest to make the growth of India, China, etc sustainable. And our leaders do not realize that, they let 'unsustainable outsourcing' happen and thus destroy the planet faster than ever before.
Yes, good governance is the scarcest resource on Earth, precautionary approaches are illusions as a result. But we should not stop promoting and practising them ....
Paul
To: Paul Metz
The Netherlands
Subject Oil
By now the world is using one thousand barrels of oil a second. Your own examples show that demand can only increase with outsourcing.
We can only continue to speak out about this (coming?) crisis. It appears to be moving into a terminal stage.
Perhaps other people in the political strata will begin to speak up. I live in hope.
Cheers
Bryan Pepperell
Wellington
New Zealand

Bryan Pepperell 3:38AM June 10, 2008

Just as the Saudis used up their aquifer on a plan that was destined to fail (grain in sand?), we are on the same path. Had they thought the plan through they could have engineered a method to control water use, for the crops (like desalinate ocean water). We are running our country on non renewable resources. In other words the party will end one day. We should pick the day instead of waiting for someone else to pick it for us. With some fore thought we can lead the way out of this storm rather than create it.

Chuck of MO 9:15AM June 09, 2008

Hows the aquifers lasting in the mineral oil regions of the USA?? I understand that many of these water reserves could suddenly vanish too.

Dave McArthur 7:26PM May 25, 2008

Hey Helmberger
You need their oil -they don't need your grain - Iran is happy to invest in the Rice Bowl of Thailand with your slogged out petro-premium. They will prevail - you will need to sell the trailer and your trash to feed your kids!!

Saf 6:09AM May 25, 2008

The third world's poor, and the first world's unprepared
will suffer in the difficult times ahead. Our populace
is dependent on "just in time" supermarkets, with
goods delievered by diesel fueled trucks over
thousands of miles. The only difference? They can
pay, whatever the price. The rest will go hungry.

Michelle of GA 1:33PM May 24, 2008

There should be an export tax on grain sold to the Saudis by
any country of the civilized world.
This tax should be the same as the Saudis tax us for their oil.
which means 50x production cost or more: one bushel not for
ten dollars but for around USD500 !!!!
I wonder how they would pay for it. They could of course send
back some of their wageslaves to Pakistan etc. but I think
it would still not work out.

Michael Helmburger 10:56AM May 23, 2008

This is the beginning of the end of the U.S. economy as we know it. We will soon be in the same situation as many other 3rd world nations are in today.

of 7:14PM May 22, 2008

Saudi Arabia has enough common sense to stop converting their non-renewable resource into grain.
We need to use Saudi Arabia's non-renewable resource to grow more grain.
What could be simpler?
Unless you are an American.

Brad of NE 8:09AM May 22, 2008

Peak Grain is caused by Peak Oil. Because of Peak Oil and the high price of oil, the cost of energy inputs for food are increasing -- diesel for tractors/combines, train, truck, and ship transport; pesticides; herbicides; the manufacture and transport of farm equipment; and the transportation costs of everyone in the food production, processing, marketing ,and transportation. Add to that the attempts to get energy from food crops; this does not produce net energy, but nevertheless it is done. Want to read more? I have written a free report on Peak Oil: http://www.peakoilassociates.com/POAnalysis.html

Clifford J. Wirth of NH 4:31PM May 21, 2008