The Importance of Human Power

6min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Solar power is not going to power a 19 terawatt global growing system, but it could in combination with human power provide energy and brain services. Historically, humans were the main source of mechanical energy. One human can generate more or less the same amount of power as a one square meter solar panel on a sunny day. And on a cloudy day, it's comparable to a much bigger solar panel. While humans are just like fossil fuels, they can produce power whenever it's necessary.

On this episode, Nate welcomes back journalist, inventor, and low-tech expert Kris De Decker to take a deeper dive into a more human-powered system on the backside of the carbon pulse. Through both historical and experiential lenses, Kris shares five creative alternatives to current high tech systems - from hot water bottles to electric buses and preventative-focused healthcare systems. Could a move towards communal services and human-power also shift our mindsets to think twice about how much energy is actually needed to thrive and still be comfortable? Will society willingly move from a resource intensive growth economy towards a lower energy, human powered economy?

About Kris De Decker:

Kris De Decker shifted from a journalism career covering high tech to exploring low tech through formal and personal research and projects, including the Human Power Plant and the Solar Powered Website.

De Decker is creator and author of Low Tech Magazine and No Tech Magazine, publications which explore low tech solutions to questions society assumes must be solved through high tech.

De Decker has contributed articles about science, technology, energy and the environment to Mother Earth News, Techniques et Culture, Design Magazine, The Oil Drum, Resilience, EOS, Molenecho's, "Knack", "De Tijd" and "De Standaard". De Decker’s books "Energie in 2030" advised the Dutch government on challenges related to science and technology and his book "Stralingswarmte: gezonde warmte met minder energie" provided a guide for how heat works.

For Show Notes and More visit: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/75-kris-de-decker

To watch this video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4MYqRvm7vX4