Introducing: Peak Oil Denial

First, a history lesson on climate change denial from Tom Toles (via 3P):

If human-induced climate change is real, then we’re faced with a moral imperative to alter our lifestyles, consumption, and spending. But moral imperatives are a tough sell. On the other hand, peak oil poses a different imperative altogether — that of maintaining our economic security. If oil production declines in the face of rising demand, prices will continue to rise, bringing the American economy to a halt (think current credit crisis x 10).

Both climate change and peak oil spell the same thing for oil companies: D-O-O-M. So it’s hardly surprising that BP is trying to reframe the debate on peak oil, and further delay public & industry support for renewable energy.

Speaking at Rice University this week, Andy Inglis, BP Executive of Exploration & Production:

I think it is true to say that we may have reached a period of ‘peak capability’, at least in the short term. As far as I am concerned, peak capability bears a far closer relation to the facts than so-called ‘peak oil’.

Full text.

But peak oil doesn’t address oil supply as much as it does oil production. So in a way, Inglis is just shifting the focus away from the real problem. The course he sets for BP later in the address — increased funding for oil-drilling technology on the basis of ‘peak capability’ — is a little disconcerting. The thinking isn’t ‘Beyond Petroleum,’ it’s Beyond Preposterous. And though I’m not fond of demonizing an oil company, it’s a little hard not to be cynical about BP’s “new direction.”

Comments (1) left to “Introducing: Peak Oil Denial”

  1. Rabbit Valley Road / Remember when I cared about peak oil denial? wrote:

    [...] all of 3 days ago, when I pointed out that BP reframing the issue would only misinform the general public, and encourage the oil industry to spend their resources [...]

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