Comments on: David Milliband Calls for Powerdown (I think…). http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/ An Evolving Exploration into the Head, Heart and Hands of Energy Descent Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:35:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris Vernon http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/comment-page-1/#comment-33750 Chris Vernon Fri, 09 Mar 2007 10:30:31 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/#comment-33750 <p>Rob,</p> <p>Was this the Government's first "peak oil" speech? Focusing on oil, considering ending the UK's dependence on oil over the next 15-20 years, creating a post oil economy and calling for "demand reduction - radically reducing our energy needs through much greater energy efficiency." I think it could be.</p> <p>Whilst actions speak louder than words, ministerial words can't be dismissed out of hand. This is certainly a step in the right direction.</p> <p>I've written some thoughts here: <a href="http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/2345" rel="nofollow">UK Government: "energy security and climate change"</a></p> Rob,

Was this the Government’s first “peak oil” speech? Focusing on oil, considering ending the UK’s dependence on oil over the next 15-20 years, creating a post oil economy and calling for “demand reduction – radically reducing our energy needs through much greater energy efficiency.” I think it could be.

Whilst actions speak louder than words, ministerial words can’t be dismissed out of hand. This is certainly a step in the right direction.

I’ve written some thoughts here:
UK Government: “energy security and climate change”

]]> By: Adam1 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/comment-page-1/#comment-32237 Adam1 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:21:40 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/#comment-32237 <p>Let's hope that, whatever the government does, their "<a href="http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-boo1.htm" title="click for definition" rel="nofollow">boondoggle</a>" count provides for as smooth an energy descent as possible!</p> <p>"BOONDOGGLE</p> <p>An unnecessary or wasteful project.</p> <p>This typically North American term is often applied in two specific ways, either to describe work of little or no value done merely to appear busy, or in reference to a government-funded project with no purpose other than political patronage. It can also be used for an unnecessary journey by a government official at public expense."</p> <p><a href="http://www.energybulletin.net/23259.html" title="scroll down to slide 26 on this link" rel="nofollow">Dmitry Orlov's take on boondoggles</a></p> Let’s hope that, whatever the government does, their “boondoggle” count provides for as smooth an energy descent as possible!

“BOONDOGGLE

An unnecessary or wasteful project.

This typically North American term is often applied in two specific ways, either to describe work of little or no value done merely to appear busy, or in reference to a government-funded project with no purpose other than political patronage. It can also be used for an unnecessary journey by a government official at public expense.”

Dmitry Orlov’s take on boondoggles

]]> By: adrienne http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/comment-page-1/#comment-31590 adrienne Tue, 06 Mar 2007 22:54:54 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/#comment-31590 <p>I also whooped and then sighed as I realised the rhetoric was half empty. I wonder how much government hides peak oil solutions behind climate change problems. I'm still waiting for the critical mass to shift from the 'problem' of emissions/pollution to the solution of energy transition. What a peak moment that will be.</p> I also whooped and then sighed as I realised the rhetoric was half empty. I wonder how much government hides peak oil solutions behind climate change problems. I’m still waiting for the critical mass to shift from the ‘problem’ of emissions/pollution to the solution of energy transition. What a peak moment that will be.

]]> By: Robert Morgan http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/comment-page-1/#comment-30915 Robert Morgan Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:47:23 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/#comment-30915 <p>I wonder if many of these utterances are isued on the basis of "testing the water" - seeing what reaction is provoked. If it's favourable then try a few more, if there is an outcry then issue something contradictory a few weeks later - exactly what happened with the One Planet Agriculture statement.</p> <p>Also wise to remember that an environment minister is seen by this government as a junior and very expendable member. Michael Meacher's often radical opinions did not do much to influence policies in other areas.</p> <p>On the other hand, it could also be seen as preparing the ground for major changes - changes that will be forced upon us - some way down the line.</p> I wonder if many of these utterances are isued on the basis of “testing the water” – seeing what reaction is provoked. If it’s favourable then try a few more, if there is an outcry then issue something contradictory a few weeks later – exactly what happened with the One Planet Agriculture statement.

Also wise to remember that an environment minister is seen by this government as a junior and very expendable member. Michael Meacher’s often radical opinions did not do much to influence policies in other areas.

On the other hand, it could also be seen as preparing the ground for major changes – changes that will be forced upon us – some way down the line.

]]> By: David johnson http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/comment-page-1/#comment-30876 David johnson Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:56:35 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/2007/03/06/david-milliband-calls-for-powerdown-i-think/#comment-30876 <p>I think that there are noises being made out there from time to time by Government - a recognition of what is looming before us. Sure some of it might be jumping on possible vote winning band wagons, but some of it is (I believe) a public acknowledgement of what is looming (albeit also wanting to be seen to be the first with the answers).</p> <p>My guess is that there are some scared people in Government who recognise the scale of the problem but are really unsure how to approach the public on these issues. The policies that have to be brought in would hardly be favourable vote winners. Until the problem is big, or we have a visionary leader, I think that it will be a lot of tiptoeing around, making noises about what is needed to be done.</p> I think that there are noises being made out there from time to time by Government – a recognition of what is looming before us. Sure some of it might be jumping on possible vote winning band wagons, but some of it is (I believe) a public acknowledgement of what is looming (albeit also wanting to be seen to be the first with the answers).

My guess is that there are some scared people in Government who recognise the scale of the problem but are really unsure how to approach the public on these issues. The policies that have to be brought in would hardly be favourable vote winners. Until the problem is big, or we have a visionary leader, I think that it will be a lot of tiptoeing around, making noises about what is needed to be done.

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