Great simplification pulsing lines

#32 | Frankly

The Perils of EROI

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Frankly

Description

On this Frankly, Nate discusses a frequently used but often misunderstood way of interpreting the efficiency of an energy source: Energy Return On Investment. EROI, and its corresponding metric Net Energy, are a great way to understand the energy surplus of a technology – and ultimately of a society. However, in climate and energy spaces, it’s increasingly being used as a precise instrument to compare energy technologies, especially oil, gas, coal, and renewables. In attempting to do this, there are traps that researchers can fall into, resulting in misleading conclusions that can be used to defend ideologies rather than contribute to the body of science. Understanding these analyses of energy is critical for understanding the challenges of the future, but if not used thoughtfully EROI may only end up causing more confusion.

In French, we have a motto that says that a simple drawing is often better than a long explanation. Jean-Marc Jancovici Carbone 4 President

That’s very understandable because with left atmosphere thinking, one of the problems is that you see everything as a series of problems that must have solutions. Iain McGilchrist Neuroscientist and Philosopher

We can’t have hundreds and hundreds of real relationships that are healthy because that requires time and effort and full attention and awareness of being in real relationship and conversation with the other human. Nate Hagens Director of ISEOF

This is the crux of the whole problem. Individual parts of nature are more valuable than the biocomplexity of nature. Thomas Crowther Founder Restor

Show Notes & Links to Learn More

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The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future (ISEOF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, founded in 2008, that conducts research and educates the public about energy issues and their impact on society.

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