How Does a Climate Change Realist Turn Into an Energy Transition Fatalist?

My one-sided tiff with Art Berman, energy analyst extraordinaire

Image produced by Google Gemini. “A wizard in an oil field, surrounded by butterflies”.

I like Art Berman’s work. I have been following him for years. He’s a highly-experienced and deeply-knowledgeable petroleum geologist and he’s the go-to guy for many people who want to understand all things oil. He is right and realistic and clear-eyed about the state of the world and the risks we face. I agree with almost everything he writes.

Yet, when I have tried to engage with him on his blog, where he generously replies to almost all comments that get thrown his way, he has dismissed me as just another member of what he calls the “clown car” of renewable energy enthusiasts. In fact, despite his willingness to print and reply to comments from the most bat-shit crazy climate deniers (see here), he has apparently chosen to block me, no longer printing or replying to any of my comments on his posts. Ouch.

Sadly, I do not respond well to such treatment, so I have decided to engage with him indirectly here. I don’t expect him to notice, but that’s never stopped me before.

First, let’s talk about the right stuff