Can't do anything about world supplies ?

[Azunite]

It is no secret that world's major supplies will run out in 100 years or so...
Most people think that we can slip away from that using windmills, solar panels, electric cars etc...
But whole world won't use only all of that so, since world doesn't produce new petrol or coal or gas, we are just going to are doom ?

[scuba steve]

You are asking for an extremely detailed essay of pages of pages of documents on how this whole "doom" theory of yours will more than likely be completely avoided.
I honestly couldn't be assed going through these all because I want to get back to Medal of honour :) but i'll start you off with these...

1. With today's rapid technological advances we will eventually be able to cream the costs of environmentally friendly energy generators (wind turbines, solar panels and the like) meaning that yes, having these installed in the likes of the everday home could be possible or advancing the machinery to be more efficient in the amount of energy they can produce.

2. If the U.S could master the art of Offshore Oil drilling there is enough oil reserves off the northern coast of Alaska that has been unused to completely remove foreign oil dependancy for around another couple decades or so.

[Amnesiac]

It is no secret that world's major supplies will run out in 100 years or so...
Most people think that we can slip away from that using windmills, solar panels, electric cars etc...
But whole world won't use only all of that so, since world doesn't produce new petrol or coal or gas, we are just going to are doom ?

When the time comes where fossil fuels are completely gone, some regions will fall into poverty and general disrepair.

However, with green technology advancing quickly and becoming a major part of the world economy, we're gonna see the price of solar and wind installations fall dramatically. That should help the poorer regions that need an alternative source of energy in the not-to-far off future.

[scuba steve]

When the time comes where fossil fuels are completely gone, some regions will fall into poverty and general disrepair.

However, with green technology advancing quickly and becoming a major part of the world economy, we're gonna see the price of solar and wind installations fall dramatically. That should help the poorer regions that need an alternative source of energy in the not-to-far off future.

When you take the likes of the country of Kuwait into accordance which currently has citizens richer than the average American and also has the highest rate of obeisity in the world, some areas will be devistated by the exhaustion of fossil fuels like crude oil. This is one of those small Middle Eastern states that has agreed to foreign trade of oil and is reaping the benefits of such by the bucket load; origionally a small poor society of clam divers and similar small primary sector trades, when the oil goes it's going to be a massive kick in the teeth for them.

[Amnesiac]

When you take the likes of the country of Kuwait into accordance which currently has citizens richer than the average American and also has the highest rate of obeisity in the world, some areas will be devistated by the exhaustion of fossil fuels like crude oil. This is one of those small Middle Eastern states that has agreed to foreign trade of oil and is reaping the benefits of such by the bucket load; origionally a small poor society of clam divers and similar small primary sector trades, when the oil goes it's going to be a massive kick in the teeth for them.

I know, any nation that relies on fossil fuels to keep their economy relevant will be devastated by this coming event. It could throw the entire Middle East into a full-scale war. However, that doesn't mean that eventually they'll adopt renewable energy to survive.

[scuba steve]

I know, any nation that relies on fossil fuels to keep their economy relevant will be devastated by this coming event. It could throw the entire Middle East into a full-scale war. However, that doesn't mean that eventually they'll adopt renewable energy to survive.

But if they want to continue living by 21st century standards they're gonna have to really, but the vast majority aren't anyway so i doubt they'll miss it.

[Amnesiac]

But if they want to continue living by 21st century standards they're gonna have to really, but the vast majority aren't anyway so i doubt they'll miss it.

They're not planning ahead, and that's going to kill them when the time comes. It's happening on a larger scale with the U.S. — conservatives are refusing to invest in green technology, unlike China and India which have been for years. This could be a contributing factor to the U.S.'s downfall as a superpower.

[scuba steve]

True, but the liberals are the ones in power right now and wasn't the investment into all that shit along with large subsisidiary's to science and all that jazz part of Obama's electing statements?

[Amnesiac]

True, but the liberals are the ones in power right now and wasn't the investment into all that shit along with large subsisidiary's to science and all that jazz part of Obama's electing statements?

They decided to ignore it so they wouldn't lose votes this coming election. I don't consider the Democrats true liberals or progressives, they're just as weak as the Republicans.

[Azunite]

But still, your ideas are good but solar panels, wind mills produce little energy, hundreds of wind mills can barely keep a village alive

[Continuum]

But still, your ideas are good but solar panels, wind mills produce little energy, hundreds of wind mills can barely keep a village alive

It's still on the trend. People will try and develop it as much as possible (like the numerous advances they did on motor vehicles and engines) to squeeze out most of the absorbed energy from alternative sources.

And there's more than absorbing power from the sun and the wind. There's still geothermal energy (which is quite prevalent on active tectonic faults on the world) hydroelectric energy and biomass. Geothermal and hydroelectric energy, when implemented on some areas of the world, can power a lot of settlements. Solar panels also, when built on large open blanks on the world (probably on the Sahara) can power most of any continent, just as long as we have the resources.

After everyone has converted to alternative sources, most of the countries whose wealth revolves on Petroleum products (particularly the middle east) will argue with other importing nations and maybe lead themselves into their own doom. Since they rely on other nations to buy what they have, after the transition period, they'd be left out. (just like what darthegg said, they will undeniably fall if they still live today's technological standards in the near future)

[Sith Lord 13]

They're not planning ahead, and that's going to kill them when the time comes. It's happening on a larger scale with the U.S. — conservatives are refusing to invest in green technology, unlike China and India which have been for years. This could be a contributing factor to the U.S.'s downfall as a superpower.

How does this weaken the US as a superpower? We still have superior military strength and armaments, and as such will remain a superpower.

[Continuum]

How does this weaken the US as a superpower? We still have superior military strength and armaments, and as such will remain a superpower.

They would lose a lot of "friends", mainly the petroleum exporting countries. The US imports a lot of oil, especially from the middle east where there is millions of barrels in reserve.

[Azunite]

How does this weaken the US as a superpower? We still have superior military strength and armaments, and as such will remain a superpower.


Heh, you think a weapon can change the world

[Whisper]

^ it most defiantly can.

How does this weaken the US as a superpower? We still have superior military strength and armaments, and as such will remain a superpower.

So does Russia but after the fall of the USSR nobody gave a shit about them they're only now slowly gaining political sway and strength directly because their economy has picked up.

There's many countries that possess great military power
if you think military force defines a superpower you're gravely mistaken
thats a part, true. But its far more than that


What economic strength the US posses is now greatly dependant on china's vast investment in the US greenback and their desire to keep the Renminbi undervalued in order to keep export costs low. As a result the international desire to outsource manufacturing and labour costs to china remains high, stirring their economy.

The real up and coming super power is China
If america keeps its shit in order they will remain a superpower, but they are going to have to learn to share again
Not to mention the European Union, combined they form the largest economy on the planet, If they can keep this unification thing on track and minimize the resulting side effects (mainly sovereignty issues) they'd defiantly be a force to be reckoned with. I think it would make it allot easier for them if they stopped allowing additional nations to join and instead focused on the member nations themselves.

[Sith Lord 13]

So does Russia but after the fall of the USSR nobody gave a shit about them they're only now slowly gaining political sway and strength directly because their economy has picked up.

There's also the fact that Russia's military is in tatters due to underfunding. There is not a single country on this planet which on it's own can hold a candle to the US military. In the end, the US military superiority will keep it a superpower as long as we fund the military. Cowboy diplomacy still holds a lot of sway.

[Whisper]

There's also the fact that Russia's military is in tatters due to underfunding. There is not a single country on this planet which on it's own can hold a candle to the US military. In the end, the US military superiority will keep it a superpower as long as we fund the military. Cowboy diplomacy still holds a lot of sway.

That military power comes at a massive financial cost to the american people, its not free dude.
A cost that for now can be maintained because of the economic prosperity the nation has enjoyed since the end of WWII. The states unlike any other nation on the planet has privatized war, America makes money and receives an economic boost when your fighting through the military industrial complex, eisenhower must be rolling over in his grave.

If your economy fails
If your treasury dries up
Then the bells and whistle cease
Russia has a massive air force but for decades they were grounded because the government couldn't afford the fuel and maintenance to keep them in the air
The bigger you are the harder you fall dude
in 05 the United States spent 750,000,000,000 (thats 3/4 of a TRILLION) on the military
There are 725 military bases in 130 foreign countries
That was 2005.....
you spend more cold hard cash on your forces than every-other nation COMBINED


don't get me wrong i'd prefer the states over china or russia
but "it is nowhere written that the American Empire goes on forever"


EDIT:
and as a side note i find it disgusting that with all that millitary "prowess" it still took what, 5 days, to get water to the superdome


we're way the fuck off topic
i always do this
dammit

[Azunite]

Sith Lord lol this is not a place for the discussion of US Army.
Besides, USArmy wastes time in Middle-East, they just show off their army powers while losing good men.
China is the upcoming superpower, combined forces of East will crush US in 72 hours, and no European country can afford going to a full scale attack on east.

Please do NOT continue military superpower topic, focus on world supplies

[karl]

We did pretty well for thousands of years before we learnt to use oil, so when it's all gone we'll just find and use something else

[CaptainObvious]

It is no secret that world's major supplies will run out in 100 years or so...
Most people think that we can slip away from that using windmills, solar panels, electric cars etc...
But whole world won't use only all of that so, since world doesn't produce new petrol or coal or gas, we are just going to are doom ?

People have been predicting the imminent exhaustion of our world's resources for centuries... it hasn't happened yet. Improving technology will extend the life of those resources, and will open up new ones to exploitation. Will we eventually run out of exploitable resources? Quite possible. But not for a very long time - longer than a century for sure.

[scuba steve]

Sith Lord lol this is not a place for the discussion of US Army.
Besides, USArmy wastes time in Middle-East, they just show off their army powers while losing good men.
China is the upcoming superpower, combined forces of East will crush US in 72 hours, and no European country can afford going to a full scale attack on east.

Please do NOT continue military superpower topic, focus on world supplies

Combined forces of the East? Before this thread goes back on topic i'm at least allowed to crush this idea :D

The East as in Asia has only Three real prospering countries, two of which are still technically in the developing world China and India i'm referring to (Japan being the thrid Country and now that i think of it, the only one in the developed world) China and India have entered an economical war on how many children they can more or less inslave to create the largest amount of goods for Walmart and Tesco for any Brits reading this; with Japan being firmly on the side of the West. At no stage in the various future decades to come will Asia commit to a fully functioning Union like the United States or the European Union (which lets face it with current economic standings will eventually have close to country status)

Finally to get to the Military currently the U.S may not hold as high a troop count as China or India but have the most advanced technology of war making in the world, no Asian force would make it across the Pacific without months of siege if the US was on the line with every unit active, lets not forget international support: the rest of the UK/USA community (UK, CAN, NZ, AUS if you dont know the data agreement) And no way in hell would they be able to march West through Europe. Little apochalypse failed...


And a side note, it's not as if the U.N doesn't have assigned platoons in the middle east: Europe, Russia etc.

[Azunite]

(Japan!? I am talking about NKorea)
And I didn't say they would pack up and go to west, America can reach everyone because of it's titanic curious nose, but Europe ( by the way I think it goes kinda down by economics ) wouldn't bother going all the way to China.

[Whisper]

Please do NOT continue military superpower topic, focus on world supplies

if your going to backseat mod at least stick to your own delegating its not about getting the last word in.

I know for a fact that oil anyway will be lasting a VERY long time yet
the tar sands in Canada is huge, along with a TON of other recourses from fresh water to uranium and everything in between

[Azunite]

Yeah but, considering that world need more oil every year, those tar pits will run out quite fast...

And I don't think that electricity thing is going well, they are making the same electric cars for 5 years now

[Whisper]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_oil_sands#Estimated_oil_reserves

right now its economically viable to extract 10% of alberta's reserves which means at our current level of technology the athabasca tar sands can produce 3 million barrels a day for the next 170years. Thats 10% of whats there....

http://www.google.ca/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00031/World-Oil_31948a.jpg&sa=X&ei=hse9TPHCPInEsAPgrcCqDA&ved=0CAQQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNElvLMhdSZJXtcLhU2Vmyn3WZYAdw


But to be frank i'm hoping demand for this filthy product will drop
and the "electricity thing" is going just fine. Dude omg. They haven't been making the same cars for 5yrs now. The prius has gone through monumental changes and upgrades with the subsequent models. Not to mention the insight just came joining an ever growing fleet of hybrid options such as the H highlander, H camry, H fusion, H escape, H tahoe, H yukon, the H altima, the list goes on and on and on..... i mean there's hybrid trucks out now for fuck sakes.
Then on top of that you have the fully electric cars like the Nissan leaf or the chevy volt, of which more and more are either preparing to be released such as these two or have already hit the markets. The problem with full electric is the cost of the battery cells which with new tech and manufacturing process are getting smaller and smaller as well as cheaper and cheaper

So to sit there and say nothings changing....i don't think you've done your research....
god im bored.

[scuba steve]

Take a look at the Tesla for example, it's not exactly the most practical of cars but it's fast, very fast and runs completly on laptop batterys. It's only a sign of things to come; crying over the end of natural resources and who's going to be the next world superpower is bullshit journalism in the making.
http://www.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch:1&q=tesla+motors&revid=1644233946&sa=X&ei=0-C9TPi3IIjqOc_D3eoB&ved=0CCcQ1QIoBA&biw=1366&bih=588

And Kodie don't forget the fair wee reserve in bonnie Scotland :P

[Azunite]

you guys seriously think that the world will just stop using oil ?

[Sith Lord 13]

you guys seriously think that the world will just stop using oil ?

No, but demand will drop to a minuscule fraction of what it is today.

[Azunite]

No, but demand will drop to a minuscule fraction of what it is today.

Yes but ...
You know what I mean, people will still need the power oil will give to cars, and other stuff like the usage of oil in factories.

So this is a seperate question but ;
Do you think if there will be a production boom in electric cars, and people stop using a lot of oil for cars, can prices reduce ?

[Sith Lord 13]

Yes but ...
You know what I mean, people will still need the power oil will give to cars, and other stuff like the usage of oil in factories.

So this is a seperate question but ;
Do you think if there will be a production boom in electric cars, and people stop using a lot of oil for cars, can prices reduce ?

Yes, but in quantities pathetically small compared to current consumption.

Yes, noticeably so.

[Whisper]

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