Jeu-de-Joule: a conceptual earthly energy model

摘要

Present fuel prices trigger a renewed interest in the energy debate. The paper extends the debate beyond the present boundaries with a descriptive model that maps two parallel processes on earth: (1) the stocks & flows of energy, developing between the earth's main energy source: the sun, and its main energy sink: outer space, and (2) the accumulation of a collective memory on earth in the form of genetic information in living organisms (DNA), and in the increasing number of Bytes of information created by humans. The model makes it possible to "think through " the parallel developments of energy and information, and of the parallel growth of activities that goes with it. It also provides a tool to distinguish the stocks and flows of energy that drive the economic activities on earth. This may help the debate to go beyond the stage where all energy remains equated to non-renewable resources.