# The Fossil Fuel Energy Cliff and the Great Oversimplification

**URL:** <https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/t/the-fossil-fuel-energy-cliff-and-the-great-oversimplification/220>\
**Category:** Public\
**Created:** [5 June 2023 16:54 UTC](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/t/the-fossil-fuel-energy-cliff-and-the-great-oversimplification/220 "2023-06-05T16:54:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/ageoftransformation/original/1X/a3ad116d5a3cee5109c237d008800914c20ec7ac.png) [@system](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/u/system)\
**Post date:** [5 June 2023 16:54 UTC](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/t/the-fossil-fuel-energy-cliff-and-the-great-oversimplification/220/1 "2023-06-05T16:54:18Z")

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Are we moving into a low energy future? Is this what ‘the science’ really says beyond doubt? Is it even the right question? This debate was thrust into the spotlight recently when Dr Nate Hagens who runs _The Great Simplification_ podcast [released a video on “EROI”](https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/frankly-original/32-the-perils-of-eroi?ref=ageoftransformation.org) – the eponymous concept of Energy Return On Investment (EROI) – criticising the idea that renewable energy is now capable of generating greater energy returns than fossil fuels.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at [https://ageoftransformation.org/greatoversimplification](https://ageoftransformation.org/greatoversimplification)

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**Author:** ![David\_Cook](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/ageoftransformation.discourse.group/david_cook/32/26_2.png) [@David\_Cook](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/u/David_Cook)\
**Post date:** [5 June 2023 18:03 UTC](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/t/the-fossil-fuel-energy-cliff-and-the-great-oversimplification/220/2 "2023-06-05T18:03:10Z")

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Really enjoyed this thankyou. Let’s hope that the transition works as you suggest in a decentralized manner. The signs are surely not hopeful currently.  
David Cook  
Sweden

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**Author:** ![Ugo\_Bardi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/ageoftransformation.discourse.group/ugo_bardi/32/19_2.png) [@Ugo\_Bardi](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/u/Ugo_Bardi)\
**Post date:** [5 June 2023 21:26 UTC](https://ageoftransformation.discourse.group/t/the-fossil-fuel-energy-cliff-and-the-great-oversimplification/220/3 "2023-06-05T21:26:53Z")

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More discussion on this subject. The high EROI of renewables is compatible with the fast growth rate of all renewable technology, PV in particular

> **[And yet it moves. Why the EROI of renewables may be higher than that of fossils](https://thesunflowerparadigm.blogspot.com/2023/06/and-yet-eroi-of-renewables-is-higher.html)**
>
> Renewables, Energy, Transition, Energiewende, nuclear, resilience, EROI, EROEI, LCA