“As the economy grows, we use a growing amount of resources.” If asked if that statement is true probably the vast majority of people would say that it is.
Thank you for this insightful post! Overall I agree with your sentiment, but.
While we can indeed grow and become richer with a stable energy supply, and that’s exactly what had happened for the past decades, it would be ideal that we start producing *way more* energy.
There are so many valuable things we could do with an abundant energy supply: removing CO2 from the air, ending water scarcity with massive water desalanation, greatly extending heating and AC everywhere humans need it, etc etc etc.
Using much more energy is a goal we should seek, not something to be avoided. We shouldn’t pursue degrowthers’ ideals. Would you agree?
Yes, I agree completely and enthusiastically. In particular I want to see reform of nuclear power regulation. We should be producing ten times as much from nuclear. But I favor any and all energy sources so long as they are competitive (without subsidies).
Another outstanding article.
Thank you, Michael. I wish I had time to write a book on this and related topics. Maybe in a couple of years. Keep up the pro-progress energy!
And thanks so much for the recommendation for my Substack column.
I really appreciate it!
Thanks, Adam. Coming from you that recommendation means a lot.
Thank you for this insightful post! Overall I agree with your sentiment, but.
While we can indeed grow and become richer with a stable energy supply, and that’s exactly what had happened for the past decades, it would be ideal that we start producing *way more* energy.
There are so many valuable things we could do with an abundant energy supply: removing CO2 from the air, ending water scarcity with massive water desalanation, greatly extending heating and AC everywhere humans need it, etc etc etc.
Using much more energy is a goal we should seek, not something to be avoided. We shouldn’t pursue degrowthers’ ideals. Would you agree?
Yes, I agree completely and enthusiastically. In particular I want to see reform of nuclear power regulation. We should be producing ten times as much from nuclear. But I favor any and all energy sources so long as they are competitive (without subsidies).