Comments on: What Are Our Alternatives, If Fossil Fuels Are a Problem?

By: clinton

clinton — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:55:27 +0000

please i need more

By: gailtheactuary

gailtheactuary — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:30:18 +0000

Regarding Elionara’s question as to who has the most fossil fuels, Russia has (or claims to have) the most fossil fuel reserves. It is currently the world’s largest producer of both oil and natural gas., but lower on coal. So it is a top contender in the “most fossil fuels” category. The reserve numbers are of uncertain quality.

In terms of fossil fuel production in 2006, I expect China will be number 1 (it was number 2 in 2005, but is growing rapidly), because of its high coal production. The United States will be a close second, with high natural gas and coal production. Both the United States and China are net fossil fuel importers, since they consume more than they use.

Fossil fuels are the best source of energy because they provide a concentrated source of energy that is easy to transport and use. Oil in particular is very highly concentrated (more than natural gas or coal). Since it is a liquid, it works particularly well as a transportation fuel. We now have a large number of vehicles that use gasoline, diesel, or aviation fuel. If we want to continue to use our vehicles, we need something very much like our current liquid fuels.

By: elionora

elionora — Sun, 06 May 2007 17:57:25 +0000

what country has the most fossil fuels?
why are fossil fuel the best source of energy??

By: robertdfeinman

robertdfeinman — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:27:30 +0000

One thing you don’t discuss is a deliberate restructuring of the goals of society to use less “stuff”. For most of the history of mankind people lived in a balance with their environment. Too much population growth meant famine or migration.

These days we have a consumerist model which implies that the goals of life are found in material possessions. Many societies treat other measures as “success”, Bhutan has replaced the GNP with the gross national happiness measure, for example.

We could adopt measures which stress happiness, relations with others, festivals, sports and cultural activities as goals instead, but we are lacking the leaders with such a vision.

I’ve written several essays about this issue which are on my web site, if you are interested.