The switch from a fuel-intensive to a material-intensive system.

The switch from a fuel-intensive to a material-intensive system

The big difference of course is that while fuel is burnt once and is then gone forever, materials can be recycled over and over again - so in a sense are more "borrowed" than "used". Certainly the steel and copper, likely the more expensive smaller items as well. The composite glass fibre wind turbine blades might be more of a challenge, but never say never - engineering is always coming up with new solutions.

   - Andy.

Andy:

The best example of material being recycled over and over is GOLD !

Peter 

Peter,

I agree that in all advanced countries who correctly count their population numbers there is a decline in numbers but in developing Africa and Sahara desert area the increase is horrifying and their economies cannot build fast enough to double every 20 years.

See worldometers- by country stats.  They are not lying and global warming is the direct result.   

  www.worldometers.info/.../population-by-country

The ‘normal’ metals, iron, copper aluminium, lead etc can be fairly easily recycled/reused and structures already exist for that. Concrete can be broken down to aggregate to be used for further concrete but this still requires new cement. Plastics/composites are, as you say, currently more of a problem.

All these recycling/reuse operations require energy and that may be where the problem is. Electric arc furnaces are useful for recycling but require a very reliable electricity supply, once they cool down (4hrs?) they are effectively destroyed.

If combustion heat is required (cement for example) hydrogen generated electrolytically from wind/solar is the proposed solution. This is currently quite inefficient and I wonder if it will close the loop? Looking at a 20 year life span will wind and solar generate enough energy to replace themselves and their infrastructure (which is always left out of the 2 year energy payback figure) or are we trying to make a perpetual motion machine.

Roger,

About the only place in UK with surplus renewable wind is Shetland as no one is building houses/infrastructure there at present.

We need to stop building everywhere to slow climate change which can be achieved if we stop the need for building new housing because of population growth.

Bless your 2 kids with a house to inherit or curse them with poverty if you have 4 or more children

Roger,

About the only place in UK with surplus renewable wind is Shetland as no one is building houses/infrastructure there at present.

We need to stop building everywhere to slow climate change which can be achieved if we stop the need for building new housing because of population growth.

Bless your 2 kids with a house to inherit or curse them with poverty if you have 4 or more children