Anyone Want to Bet the Planet?
By Donella Meadows
–March 28, 1991–
Some of our most controversial scientists have taken up a new pastime — making bets about the environmental future.
One such bet was put forward by James Hansen, head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Hansen is known for dramatic Congressional testimony to the effect that the greenhouse warming is already here. Last summer he offered [...]
Markets Don’t Make Energy Policy, People Do
By Donella Meadows
–March 14, 1991–
George Bush’s National Energy Strategy is causing heads to shake in disbelief all over the world. It is a strategy for the 1950s, when we thought that energy supplies were infinite, that big cars made us better people, and that the environment was just a pretty scene out the rear window. Worst of all, the Strategy [...]
A New Energy Analysis, An Old Energy Policy
By Donella Meadows
–January 30, 1991–
The energy policy the nation has been waiting for — and, some would say, fighting for — is about to be unveiled by the Bush administration. It contains no surprises. It emphasizes supply more than efficiency. It calls for market mechanisms, not regulation or taxes. Oil, coal, and nuclear companies will find nothing in it to [...]
Basic Facts About Energy and the Middle East
By Donella Meadows
–October 26, 1990–
In the Great White Capital City the leaders of the nation are making plans to go to war. They are also making a national energy policy. The war and energy plans are being designed in different parts of the government, but of course the events that drive them are closely related.
The citizens of this democracy will [...]
To Solve the Energy Problem You Have to Want to
By Donella Meadows
–September 27, 1990–
In the September issue of Scientific American is a graph that sums up beautifully why we are on the brink of war in the Middle East and how we can back away from that brink.
It shows two curves estimating how much more efficient U.S. electricity use could be. One estimate was made by the Electric Power [...]
