By Roger Diamond Looking into the future is fun, but even more fun is looking at how other people are looking into the future. First, there are the pessimists and doomsayers who are sure the game is all over and we have a few last years of light before the eternal darkness, or something along […]
Peak Oil Perspectives
POP believes that the problem posed by the imminent peaking of global oil production is something warranting serious attention.
The group is made up of a small yet diverse group that brings together theoretical skills on geology, economics and strategy, with practical application of alternative lifestyle choices.
POP is dedicated to raising awareness of "peak oil", its likely impacts on South African society and the possible solutions to living in an energy reduced future.
The contributors are all members of ASPO-SA
Posted inGeneral
Economics is nothing more than interior decorating
By Roger Diamond There are many problems with economics, but how can I take economists or economics seriously when they never look back? There is something really flawed about a field of endeavour where 10 years is considered infinity. Look at almost any economic report and it will compare things with the previous year or […]
Posted inLifestyle
Peak oil crisis just ain’t sexy enough
By Roger Diamond Your grandmother passing away at a ripe old age from general ailments will never make the headlines. A person in their prime, stricken by a nasty disease or a fatal accident is always good, newsworthy material. This seems to be a simple formula, which rules in all fields and areas of information, […]
Posted inLifestyle
More sap, less paint
By Roger Diamond I see there is a new “race” between the US and China. This time it is to create as much green power as possible. The hype around this new race is good, with even the US president opening his mouth on the issue. Big green NGOs such as 350.org are getting in […]
Posted inMedia
How to cut through the information traffic jam
There are no shortcuts to knowledge. Make no mistake, we are surrounded by more information than ever before in the history of humankind; here I mean “information” to represent all messages in all media, whether they are factually correct, opinions, misleading nonsense or downright devious and false claims. This humble piece of writing is yet […]
Posted inGeneral
Doom and gloom or dimness and despondency?
by Roger Diamond. “The world is coming to a catastrophic end!” How does that statement make you feel?! Let’s try “Certain elements of our society are likely to be placed under major stress and perhaps stop functioning optimally.” Feel different about that prediction? Two totally different sentences that could have the same meaning, but certainly […]
Posted inGeneral
Is Ugandan homophobia a sign of impending genocide?
By Roger Diamond When resources get tight, people go on the warpath to extirpate those who they are told do not deserve to share a slice of the pie. All countries have, to some degree, targeted people with an otherness and eradicated them so that those in favour can supposedly enjoy a greater share of […]
Posted inLifestyle
Avatar’s message is clear…stop the destruction
By Roger Diamond A few nights ago I went out with a friend to the Labia Theatre, the only independent cinema in Cape Town, where we typically watch depressing environmental documentaries, the seats filled with liberal, erudite and pensive types. A few nights ago, however, my friend Rob suggested we see Avatar, which I keenly […]
Posted inLifestyle
What will it take to save the world?
By Roger Diamond Well, let’s just first check that the world needs saving: is this a valid question and one that we should be asking? Let’s each do this ourselves and not just take my word for it. Take a look around you. To do this, you may have to open your eyes wider than […]
Posted inLifestyle
Burning to death in fortresses
By Roger Diamond Jared Diamond (no relation) says something along the lines of “You will have the privilege of being the last person to die” when referring to the privilege/plight of the rich and powerful during the collapse of a civilisation. I think I am seeing a similar thing when I look at the behaviour […]
Posted inGeneral
Let’s go straight to number one
What is the obsession with mediocrity? Compromise! Middling, equivocal, moderated and ultimately ineffectual solutions. There is only so much oil under the ground, and the same goes for natural gas, coal and uranium. There are only so many rivers for hydroelectricity and the full cost accounting on renewables is harsh: even the best dream of […]
Posted inGeneral
All aboard for doomsday!
By Roger Diamond There is a train moving across the countryside and we are all on board. Somewhere, ahead on the tracks is a bridge that ends in space where the tracks have been blown up long ago. If the train carries on moving, it will eventually plummet over the edge of the bridge and […]