For the vast majority of human history our species did all right with a localized way of life based on sunlight, grass, animals and wood, which was "powered" by animal and human effort.
The basic human needs of Air, Shelter, Water, and Food were met through direct action by the participants, or through interaction with the village blacksmith, cobbler, potter, tailor, other local farmers, and so on. There were rarely more than one or two degrees of separation between the raw materials and end user.
In a temperate climate, everything necessary for a healthy life could probably be obtained from within a 150 mile radius, usually much less. With the exception of salt and perhaps some spices, all imported items were considered luxuries and handled accordingly. Many indigenous societies made do with what they could find or grow within a day's ride by horseback. In Asia, hundreds of millions of people still farm with oxen and weave their own clothes from locally available fibers. These societies will hardly be affected by the end of the age of coal and oil.
The basic human needs of Air, Shelter, Water, and Food were met through direct action by the participants, or through interaction with the village blacksmith, cobbler, potter, tailor, other local farmers, and so on. There were rarely more than one or two degrees of separation between the raw materials and end user.
In a temperate climate, everything necessary for a healthy life could probably be obtained from within a 150 mile radius, usually much less. With the exception of salt and perhaps some spices, all imported items were considered luxuries and handled accordingly. Many indigenous societies made do with what they could find or grow within a day's ride by horseback. In Asia, hundreds of millions of people still farm with oxen and weave their own clothes from locally available fibers. These societies will hardly be affected by the end of the age of coal and oil.
Our current technological global society is a result of the Industrial Revolution, wherein the "stored sunlight" energy of coal, oil, and other mineral fuels is being exploited at an incomprehensible rate, mostly for the purpose of greatly accelerating the exploitation of all other resources. The main purpose of this exploitation appears to be the accumulation of "wealth" and power for the few who maintain control of the land and its resources.
Fair enough, I suppose. Go for it. But, there are a few wee little nagging issues that we need to discuss:
Fair enough, I suppose. Go for it. But, there are a few wee little nagging issues that we need to discuss:
Very rough estimates indicate that we are currently going through all this accumulated solar energy (AKA: Fossil Fuels) about 1,000,000 times faster than Mother Earth could accumulate it... and she got out of the coal making business a few hundred million years ago.
Now, after only 300 years, the "Age of Coal" is already in decline, and the great experiment cannot be repeated. Again, rough figures indicate that we have already burned about halfway through with the entire stash, coal wise.
Also, during the development of this vast, mechanized "system" it has transpired that after a few generations "off the farm" the vast majority of ordinary citizens have no direct connection whatsoever to the actions required for meeting their own basic needs.
Therefore, they have not the slightest idea of how much effort, energy and resources have been expended on their behalf. None. Nada. Zip.
Power lines, power plants, highways, are "background noise" that has always been there.
I find this disturbing.
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