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166 comments on Peak Oil and Community Solutions Conference (Friday)

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odograph on September 26, 2005 - 10:48am

While we're talking eco-nirvanas, I'll mention that I see a lot of good land planted in ornamentals here in southern California. Our condominium complex has 40 acres of greenbelt. As long as we have water coming I think we could offset a good part of our food imports.

On the other hand, if peak oil coincides with peak water for us, we'll be in big trouble.

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Nate Hagens on September 26, 2005 - 10:53am

how much of your water is free flowing and how much is arrived by pumping (electricity) And how much of your electricity is from natural gas? Water may be the first problem in a blackout/brownout situation brought about by energy infrastructure dislocation. Heinberg mentioned as much in his speech - he talked about Scottsdale AZ where they pump their water up from a 2000 ft deep groundtable..How do you that without power?

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odograph on September 26, 2005 - 11:06am

Oh, I know much is pumped at one time or another (most is "stolen" from up north). I'm just assuming that water delivery would be the last and most valuable use of our in-state electricity. FWIW, the breakdown of my local electricity sources is at the link below. We get a surprising amount from non-oil/gas sources even now:

http://odograph.com/?p=114

By the way, I've been looking for a web page I've seen before. It is about some fanatic gardeners up in Pasadena or Altadena or someplace, who grow litterally tons of food in a small suburban lot. The do use a LOT of water though.

Ha! Found it. My memory isn't quite shot yet:

http://www.pathtofreedom.com

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dryfly on September 26, 2005 - 4:06pm

By the way, I've been looking for a web page I've seen before. It is about some fanatic gardeners up in Pasadena or Altadena or someplace, who grow litterally tons of food in a small suburban lot. The do use a LOT of water

They don't have to use a lot of water though... not if they use drip irrigation... and even 'less' if they use 'grey water' for the drip irrigation. They use NOTHING per ton of food produced compared to flood irrigation like up in the central valley.

Peak Oil & Peak Water are similar in concept... think of your typical suburban yard as a big wet green SUV...

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