[quote=justme]Energy isn’t just a question of technological progress. Solar energy is the source of all usable energy on earth with the exception of nuclear energy.[/quote]
Of course it’s a question of technological progress. There is more than enough energy here to last humanity the rest of the planet’s existence – it’s just a matter of accessing it. Granted it won’t be next week or next year, but again, you can’t just assume that we’ll never improve efficiency or access to energy after today.
[quote]Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Biofuel, Wind, Hydro, Food, Wood, you name it EVERYTHING comes from solar energy. There is a limit to how much of the incoming solar energy we can collect and convert, both practically and theoretically (=fundamentally). This is not a problem that we can “invent” our way out of. It is a fundamental limitation.[/quote]
How very 20th century of you. Time to start thinking outside of the box – more efficient extraction of hydrogen from water, geothermal, fusion, and space-based solar. We’re talking nanobots building an invisibly thin solar panel millions of square miles in area, then beaming the energy wirelessly to Earth. Excuses like “it’s too cost-prohibitive,” or “it will take hundreds of years to develop,” don’t cut it. Technological advancement is faster than you think. Not exponential, but always accelerating.
