18+ matthewtoad43 ,
@matthewtoad43@climatejustice.social avatar

@breadandcircuses And here's one that shows just how hardline he is on peak minerals:

https://thehonestsorcerer.substack.com/p/2025-a-civilizational-tipping-point

"The main message here is that it looks increasingly certain that we will run out of resources sooner than the coming deterioration of the climate could put an end to our lifestyle. "

That has to be a fringe view, at least!

This is referenced as his article on "energy cannibalism".

First off, as I explained above, the EROI of renewables is actually pretty good, this means that the amount of diesel needed on current technology (without electrification) for mining the minerals needed for a new solar panel is very small compared to its lifetime output. And it's reasonable to assume that at least some of the energy used in mining, and most of the energy used in processing, can be made renewable.

Also again, it is far from clear that construction equipment cannot be electrified. Sure, it's harder than EVs, but that doesn't make it impossible. For heavy long distance stuff, hydrogen may be (unfortunately) necessary.

And then he gets into the usual peak oil bullshit. The answer to the EROI of oil falling is to get energy from something else!

Mining uses about 10% of global energy use. That's equivalent to 80% of current electricity supply. A large proportion of mining is actually for fossil fuels.

Hmmm...

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