Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Renewable Energy

Petroleum expert: Our Current Oil Use is “Suicidal Within 1 Generation” – eye opening video

Mihai Andrei by Mihai Andrei
March 13, 2013
in Renewable Energy, World Problems

You often hear discussions about how much oil there is still left in the world’s underground. Listen to oil companies they’ll tell you there’s plenty to go around, absolutely no need to worry; listen to fanatic environmentalists and they’ll tell you that in two decades, we’re pretty much screwed. So why not listen to someone not involved in either parties, someone who has some quality, objective statements to make.

Tad Patzek is the chairman of the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. In a broader context, Patzek works on the thermodynamics and ecology of human survival and energy supply schemes for humanity. So he’s right in the heart of things, in Texas, and pretty much dedicated his life to the subject. First of all, he doesn’t deny climate change caused by petroleum usage – he says that the events put in motion will take 80.000-100.000 years to set back into normality, which is, “for us, an infinite time.”. I cannot recommend watching this video enough, it is a real eye opener.

“People need to realize that this is a finite resource, and using it in the crazy, irresponsible ways we use it today is in fact suicidal – suicidal within one generation,” Patzek says.

Communicating dark, complex scientific realities like this one to the public is harsh, and people like Patzek are doing their best – but if things continue to develop in this direction, quite simply put – there will be blood (metaphorically, and very likely also literally).

peak oil

The problem of the ending of petroleum reserves is bad enough on its own, but when put into context with other collected problems which are simultaneously arising (global warming, water crisis, overfishing, etc) – the prospects for humanity are pretty gloom. We can either start rationalizing our consumption as a society and start preparing alternatives, or we can wait until we will haven no choice.

“Take your picks,” Patzek says.

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. British Petroleum fined a record $20.8 billion for oil spill
  2. British energy expert: ‘oil companies have 10 years to change strategy or die’
  3. Violent eye-opening cartoons show how it would be like if we were treated like animals
  4. Leveling global health within a generation could bring economic benefits 20 times the program’s cost
  5. Solar employs nearly twice as many people in U.S. electricity generation than oil, gas, and coal combined
Tags: peak oilrenewable energy

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW