snake eyes

Linking up global warming with peak energy / oil has been one of a primary themes on this blog. Hurricane Katrina has brought this siamese twin meme in into high relief.

Global warming, caused by burning an excess of carbon fuels too quickly, has warmed oceans and energized hurricanes, raising the odds that one would barrel through the Gulf region, devastating oil and gas production, as has just happened. Jackpot. All the bells rung, and doubloons piled up on the floor.

Now, re-revealed occult wisdom for Americans who have had so much for so long: Go 5 days without water, and you might die. Hopeless treks to a tossed Wal-Mart won’t save anyone -– that’s where one goes to harvest the bounty of the developing world, but what if the world stops developing?

This has some pertinence to certain peak oil scenarios – and I note that the Oil Drum has a serious discussion of this topic.

It is a discussion that needs to happen. The stakes are high, and happy-geeks who claimed that die-offs were theoretical and genocidal have just had their noses rubbed in reality.

I’m going to get back to energy news this week, but I wanted to acknowledge some of the sharper thinking on hurricane Katrina I’ve been following.

Past Peak – Exhaustive coverage of mendacity.
James Wolcott – New Orleans died for Bush’s sins.
Peak Energy Aussie – Best round up.
Bouphonia – Two crystal posts and counting.

George Bush sat at the table. He’d been there for hours, and beads of sweat were rolling down his sides. He felt as though he were sticking to his chair. Dame Condaleeza, wearing a floppy hat took a drag on her slender cigarette as she fanned sugar daddy. Drinks sat empty on the felt.

“Seventeen. Hit me,” said George. He eyed the dealer cards. The ceiling fan above took on a palpable wobble as George pawed at his chips.

The dealer paused.

“Are you sure?”

George smirked. “Hit me!”

A Queen of Hearts materialized. The dealer shrugged and began to collect the colored chips at the President’s elbow.

“Wait a minute!” George said, grabbing the dealers gloved hand. “No one could have predicted a Queen in this situation! It is unprecedented!”

The dealer shrugged. “Well, you’re busted,” said Cheney. He motioned to someone to refill drinks. “But at least you’re still the President.”