Václav Smil at Driva Climate Investment Meeting 2019

Part 1: Energy is the only universal energy. "Investing in a changing climate – what we can learn from historic energy transitions" – Václav Smil, Distinguished Professor Emeritus.

[raduantoniu]

Yes! A new Vaclav Smil video! Thank you!

[kumarthangudu]

So good. He has the best metrics and amazing memory of all of them.

[nanashinde]

Hon sir a note I mean a whole subject of climate change was revised by myself the causes effects and solutions to German govt this was in co incident to their call to write on this subject a major problem faced now a letter was email to me but carona crisis arises and I could not deepen the activity nice on hearing your speech hon smil sir pleased and feel proud of you thnx

[Eoin_D]

If energy ministers around the world, all met with Vaclav for a few days, we could almost go toward solving the energy crisis

[Nill]

Smil’s solution for the future of low carbon is a wide scale social change to use less energy by making energy expensive again as it was in the 60s. That’s feasible, but a very heavy lift with all kinds of regressive problems for instance (recall in the 60s it was only the ‘beautiful’ people that flew), and it probably never gets any traction in the places where it matters like China.

Yet he admits that nuclear power technically and economically works in Asia, is built on time etc ( and has worked for several decades in high nuclear share countries like France). Therefore we know the impediment for nuclear in the West is not technical, not economic, but social-political. I suggest the social lift required for nuclear is far lighter than the low energy solution Smil proposes, in which we all squish into the back of his Honda on the way to sleep in his basement.

[vlada]

I disagree with Vaclav on fossil fuels. Peak oil doesn`t mean we are running out of oil. There will be always resources in the ground but at what price. Analyzing how much is left is meaningless. Who cares for 300 billion barrels from tar sands in Canada when the economy can`t function at that price. We have rising production but from unprofitable sources like shale oil from US which accounts for 90% incrase in global supply. Only reason America is increasing the production is because of quantitative easing, easy credit and record low interest rates. Show me where are those cheap sources of fuel Vaclav. The era of cheap and easy to access oil is over and maximum production of conventional sources was in 2005. We have about one trillion more relatively cheap barrels to consume and thats it.

[survivalist]

Very interesting, but I really need the subtitles because the speaker is speaking too quick and is not so clearly understoot; which is a real pity.

[martinlintzgy]

Brilliant. Is there a transcript of this lecture anywhere?

[mrthugamer]

15:10 I would say we had those low energy prices for polluting electricity, because we offset the price to nature. The world chose to produce this cheap energy while ofsetting the costs to the environment. In other words, for decades, we have been paying too little for electricity.

[nightfy]

Thank you for sharing this. Is there a way to get the slides for this?

[libertysprings]

What about the vanadium batteries for utility scale? I know it will take 100 yrs but hopefully we switch away from fossil fuels before we run out of affordable supplies. I agree we need to use a lot less energy. It would be nice if life was more like th 1970s when we were poor and happy. We had no a/c or heat in the house and just used a box fan (in 110 degree weather). Windows down when we drove anywhere which was rare. Our home was a trailer with similar layout to Tiny Homes I am glad to see becoming trendy! The McMansions always creeped me out. Stay home, relax, and consume less. Life doesn't have to be so rushed.

[SebastianChum]

If only Extinction Rebellion listened to this and realized social mobilization is only melodrama.

[mk-dv]

Burning kerosine instead of powering a 65W laptop should be considered a crime against humanity, don't you think? :D
Václav, please lead us by example not only of triple glass windows, but attending and promoting virtual conferences. Thank you!

[aacowboy]

hydrogen with heppolt wind will change ad the fastest time first constant 1.5 GW 24/7/360 base load

[bundobee]

AHH vaclav looks mumbling so much that most of the time i cant catch what the hell hes saying

[mrthugamer]

Tell me the difference between someone who breaks te law, and someone who uses bureaucrats to use the laws in their advantage and I'll shut up

[alielahinik]

No wonder he is called the 'Bullshit Slayer'.