Energy—The Critical Resource - Economics and Ecology: United for a Sustainable World - page 27

Another popular misconception can be explained through net energy
analysis. It is common to speak of a given “year's supply” of energy reserves,
particularly of nonrenewable fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. Normally,
these are simple gross calculations that ignore the costs of extracting, con-
centrating, storing, and delivering the energy in a usable form. For instance,
if a resource were to be 20 percent efficient, in that it required 80 units of
energy to extract 100 units for final use, then the supply available for use as a
final product would only last one fifth as long as projected by a gross analy-
sis. Thus, mistakes can be made by thinking in years as well as in dollars, as
opposed to units of energy. We will return repeatedly to the concept of net
energy but now will consider a third principle.
Principle 3—Energy Quality Is Vital
The focus must be on the quality of energy—not the quantity.
In times of energy abundance, the premium is on rapid growth, but when
available sources become scarce, the survival advantage shifts to achieving
high diversity within and among systems and organisms. Those compo-
nents will be favored which use energy more efficiently and thus can adapt
to a more stable environment, at least for a time.
When there are untapped sources of energy available, the competitive
edge in the game of survival is in favor of organisms that are capable of
rapid growth, even though they may seem to be inefficient. Observe a vacant
and recently cleared lot, and one will typically see large weeds (often annu-
als) spring up the first year. Although not customarily long lasting, they are
efficient in capturing and using the abundant solar energy falling on the lot,
which they effectively harness for rapid growth.
In subsequent years or successions, however, the rapid-growth organisms
will give way to a more stable and diversified suite of participants. These
will usually be longer-living species, such as grasses or mosses, which use
the steady flow of available energy more effectively over time than could the
original, fast-growth specialists.
Ecosystems involving human communities are no different. When there
are available, untapped resources, the premium within ecosystems will be
on individuals and institutions that promote rapid growth. Competition
is the dominant operational mode and the order of the day. Consider the
United States in the 19th century. The (supposedly) untapped Western fron-
tier was inviting territory for competitive, growth-oriented people, attitudes,
and even legal structures. The learned behaviors emphasizing dominance of
frontiers and American Manifest Destiny carried over into the 20th century,
which saw a rapid, but occasionally unnoticed, filling of the planet.
Now, as we enter the 21st century, few can deny that we have reached an
era of limits—an era from which there is no ready escape. Most reputable