we're still on the upside of the exponential demand curve for oil
between that and the requirements for the downside of the curve (assuming we want to go there smoothly and comfortably) we have to get it all.
all of it.
that means arctic oil, antarctic oil, tar sands, shale, everything.
we're going to refine it and burn it. all of it. even when it costs $50000/barrel.
and then we'll stop.
whatever damage this will cause will have been triggered and set in motion a long time before that.
it makes no difference to humanity. we're going to use it all. bet on it.

i hope, for humanity's sake, that we find an agricultural alternative to converting fossil fuel into food before we hit peak oil.

But the people making money off it won't let us kick the addiction.

I'm so tired of dirty energy always winning the fight.

I thought there was a treaty banning mineral extraction from the Antarctic even by the several countries that maintain territorial claims there.

that particular treaty will last until we've run out of enough other sources that it becomes cost-effective to extract from the Antarctic. once that happens, watch how fast the treaty goes away.

especially the Antarctic Peninsula that sticks up toward Chile and Argentina and is claimed by both.

But apparently the fix is in.

.