Analysis of James Howard Kunstler's 'The Long Emergency'

As we continue to consume fossil fuels on a scale never seen in human history, we are faced with the nagging but not imminent question: what is going to happen when we run out? It’s the same question any addict asks themselves, and the way they respond can affect the rest of their life. It is impossible to forget 2008: gasoline rose to nearly $4 a gallon, the stock market plummeted, millions lost their jobs, and Americans and foreigners alike responded in a way that only the fear of spending more money can motivate.

Since the dawn of mankind, clusters of innovations throughout history have allowed for societal progression at an explosive rate. While primarily fostering a centrifugal system of advancements; humans’ interests in expansion is spiraling out of control. Throughout history elements of collapse can be traced through civilizations and natural resources. Wright’s argument posits humans have hyperextended their utilization of resources at a rate that cannot be replenished, therein by setting up the world for the largest ecological collapse in history (Wright, 2004, pg. 130-131). Due to the cyclical process of past collapse and reformation humans have an advantage to rectify our current consumption rates ultimately avoiding a fate similar to past societies (Wright, 2004, pg. 131). As such Wright’s argument should frame larger discussions of responsible citizenship.

It is a known fact that the Earth’s resources aren’t sustainable, and are depleting at a record rate. It is estimated that 50 years from now, valuable metals and fuels will be completely exhausted due to our expanding expenditure (Cohen, 2007). Without these supplies, mankind’s technological

Cravens shows that fossil-fuels cannot be considered as a future energy source because of its baleful impact on environment and people in society. Those people who read this article would definitely disagree of using fossil -fuels for power generation. She creates a bond between herself and the audience by finding something in common. Also, despite listing several frightening facts about fossil-fuels, she conveys that America’s electricity demand is going to rise by almost 50 percent in next two decades (583). Furthermore, she adds that all energy sources, such as the wind and sun are not going to save our planet. According to Cravens, these sources of energy are either impractical or will years to make a consequential impact, and therefore cannot be found as efficient and will be unable for supply the energy demands of United States. Carvens’s sentiment greatly affects her audience to see that nuclear energy is the only environmentally considerable energy source. Also, she gets in touch with her readers through their outlook, which helps them link with what she is trying to persuade them to see. This helps strengthen her argument and makes the audience to eventually support her case about nuclear energy.

To begin with, Scranton describes the scenery of war in Iraq and if he would have survived and persevered this journey. Humans would have to embrace the modern advancements today’s society to outlast the Anthropocene. As a matter of fact, struggles, consequences, obstacles and death are various aspects of life that we should embrace and not ignore. The understanding of civilization is very important and acquiring the knowledge to be aware of major concerns and issues of the environment is substantial. Scranton emphasizes that humans have not progressed to avoid the “unmanageable global warning”, but humankind could live and adjust to the changes of the environment (Scranton 24). The is future is always a concern but uncertain, whereas we cannot disregard our destinies.

One of the major issues in global affairs today consists of the supply of energy and other minerals and commodities. Michael Klare in “The End of Easy Everything” argues that the transformation from an effortless to a more resilient resource period will be financially, environmentally, socially, and politically costly. Looking at the state of the supply of energy oil and natural gas today, I tend to agree with the findings as presented by Michael Klare.

It is estimated that 1.3 trillion barrels of oil reserve is left in the world’s major fields (Institution of Mechanical Engineers 2015). At present rates of consumption this will be enough oil to last approximately 40 years. By 2040, it is intended for production levels may be down to 15 million barrels per day which is approximately 20% of the amount of oil which is currently being consumed (Institution of Mechanical Engineers 2015). It is likely by the year 2040 that the world’s population will be twice as large (United States Census Bureau 2015). Additionally, it is likely that more of the world will be industrialized and therefore more dependent upon oil.

I met with nineteen individuals (listed below) and one group during my three-day visit. I was not able to meet with two people due to a schedule a conflict and vacation. I met with three new people due to promotions or new leadership assignments.

The Industrial Revolution propelled the use of fossil fuel bring progress to exceptional levels; however, this came at a price to the environment and untimely changed the cultural values as well as expectations of technology today. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov), “climate changes prior to the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s can be explained by natural causes”. During and after The Industrial Revolution’s prevalent use of fossil fuel in factories and auto-motives climate changes could no longer be solely contributed to natural causes (www.epa.gov). In 1979 the second (2nd) oil energy crisis occurred which encouraged the Environmental Movement and the usage of renewable energy instead of technology that operated off of burning fossil fuels (Encyclopedia of Global Warming). As a result of the second (2nd) oil energy crisis the World Climate Research Program was launched in order to research international climate changes (Encyclopedia of

The U.S obtains more than 84% of its energy from fossil fuels including oil, coal and natural gas. This is because people rely on it to heat their homes, power industries, run vehicles, manufacturing, and provision of electricity. It is apparent that the country’s transportation industry highly depends on conventional petroleum oil, which is responsible for global warming, thus threatening economic opulence and national security. Apart from that, increasing consumption of fossil fuels have elevated health problems in the state, destroyed wild places, and polluted the environment. After conducting Environmental Impact Assessment, projections showed that the world energy consumption would increase by more than 56% between 2010 and 2040. However, fossil fuels will cater for more than 80% of the total energy used in 2040. Sadly, it will be a trajectory to alter the world’s climate, as well as, weaken the global security environment. Importantly, the rate at which the US relies on fossil fuels needs to reduce since it has adverse effects on the planet’s supplies. The society needs to realize that fossil fuels are nonrenewable, thus taking millions of years to form (Huebner, 2003). Notably, the country can reduce dependency on fossil fuels by practicing energy conservation and efficiency,

As Andrea is in the formal operational stage, the connection between her drinking and how it affects her is apparent. Her ability to use deductive reasoning emerges at this stage by increasing her drinking habits to determine specific outcomes. In this scenario, Andrea’s outcomes from drinking benefit her socially and emotionally. Adolescents at this age are able to think about abstract concepts and think about hypothetical situations and possible results of their actions. Moreover, adolescents have the ability to consider various solutions to problem-solve before acting.

My dear child, I have a very important mission for you. You are going to be super hero who will save the world. Our planet is on the edge right now, soon we will be faced with very serious crisis. Energy crisis. We use energy every day and it’s very hard to imagine our world with out of electricity. Can you imagine, that one-day electricity may become as expensive as gold and we won’t be able to use it on regular basis, like we do now. And this day might be coming soon. So let’s imagine that we are on a freeway. Just a few miles over the horizon lies the ultimate exhaustion of our planet’s fossil fuel supply. However, before we reach that otherwise inevitable destination, there are several exits at which we can turn off to evade the unquestionably chaotic and potentially economically ruinous position of losing the energy source upon which we primarily rely. According to the Institute of Mechanical Engineers of MIT, there are 1.3 trillion barrels of proven oil reserve left in the world 's major fields, which at present rates of consumption should last 40 years. Same time the organization also emphasizes that by 2040, production levels may be down to 15 million barrels per day – just 20% of what we currently consume. By that time, it is probable that the world 's population will be double what it is today and much more industrialized, and therefore oil dependent (3).Do you understand how scary it is?!

The beginning of the industrial revolution in the eighteenth century led to an exponential increase in our demand for energy to satisfy the growing needs of manufacturing, transport, production of raw materials, healthcare, and agriculture. Simple tasks are taken for granted such as “powering-up” the plethora of devices and gadgets that we “cannot live without” – such as our smart phones and computers. Whilst all of these things are central to our very existence on the planet, our increased dependence on energy has essentially been met to date by the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels, such as brown and black coal.

The advent of industrialized civilization has brought to us many remarkable feats that enhance our everyday lives. Such things as automobiles, airplanes, tractors, mainframe computers, and even relatively simple machines like lawnmowers have intertwined themselves into the everyday culture of modern day industrialized countries.. These products have provided us enormous benefits compared to the types of lives our ancestors used to live. In the eyes of some, the consequences of industrial activities that have evolved around the world will not pose any problems in the future, however as most have realized, this is not true. Contemporary production processes use fossil fuels such as

People tend to focus on the flaws when it comes to humanity’s ability to provide goods and services. News stories on income inequality, lack of adequate healthcare services for hundreds of millions of people, the large number of people who go hungry every day, etc. often capture the attention of humanity better than any other type of story. Combine this with an increasing population, the doomsay predictions about global warming, and the recent economic recession, and it appears that solutions to many of the world’s current and future problems are out of reach. This, though, is not the viewpoint taken by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kolter in their book Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think. They acknowledge that the world have