I think we have about 10 more doublings of energy consumption before we’re using most incident solar energy. We’re currently doubling energy use every few decades, so that could sustain a few centuries of growth at the current rate. (Like many folks on LW, I expect growth to accelerate enough that we start running up against those limits within this century though.)
I think we have about 10 more doublings of energy consumption before we’re using most incident solar energy. We’re currently doubling energy use every few decades, so that could sustain a few centuries of growth at the current rate. (Like many folks on LW, I expect growth to accelerate enough that we start running up against those limits within this century though.)