A Window of Opportunity

Introduction

The world is grappling with many crises, including war, poverty, climate change, and ecological destruction. These crises are not just distant threats but immediate challenges that demand our attention. While potential solutions do exist, their implementation is challenging.

Due to the complexity, when we attempt a solution, we sometimes introduce a new problem or exacerbate another. Also, due to the tragedy of the commons, an economic theory was first conceptualised in 1833 by British writer William Forster Lloyd. It refers to a situation in which individuals with access to a public resource act in their interest and, in doing so, ultimately deplete the resource.

Dr Bill Rees, from the University of British Columbia, argues, “Humans are not intellectually equipped to deal with the global Eco crisis”. The data he shares in presentations supports this opinion. He also says:

“The point is that we’ve seen 27 cop meetings, The Limits to Growth publication, Rural Scientists warnings to humanity and various other agreements, all of which are directed toward warning people about the dangers of this escalating increase in atmospheric carbon emissions. It’s had no effect whatsoever. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration; things might have been wrse in the absence of these things but the point is that all of these climate meetings are designed or oriented toward reducing the atmospheric carbon levels and in fact they failed miserably to do so. So, the path to atmospheric carbon reductions has been paved in falsifying use and is strewn with failed climate agreements. People countries sign these agreements, they make commitments and then simply fail to abide by them.”

Simon Michaux, the author of “Assessment of the Extra Capacity Required of Alternative Energy Electrical Power Systems to Completely Replace Fossil Fuels“, plans to demonstrate technologies to address global technical difficulties. Implementing a new system for the world’s 8 billion people would be daunting, especially considering the limited testing of these solutions. However, piloting and learning from all potential solutions is imperative. We must share the knowledge gained, and governments have a crucial role in applying it in ways tailored to their specific circumstances.

The Venus Project

The Gateway City Simon Michaux has proposed is an evolution of the Venus Project, which was developed in the 70s by Jacque Fresco and his partner Roxanne Meadows.

The intention remains the same as it was in the 1970s. To “harnesses a holistic design methodology, including interdisciplinarity and a systems approach, in combination with evolutionary mechanisms to renew human habitats and restore the natural environment. With a philosophy emphasising connection and integration and prioritising balance, we present a set of values and objectives that outline the conditions of success for a sustainable civilisation.” But in the current environment of energy and commodity restraints and the possibilities of existential risks multiplying, the urgency for humanity to develop communities with resilience to ensure our future as a species has never been greater.

Breakthrough innovation is not coming out of our institutions. The private sector can’t do it, but it is somehow involved. Academia can’t do it, but it is somehow involved. The government certainly can’t do it, but it is somehow involved.

One of the challenges the project team faces is the excessive political pressure to make the green transition happen without considering what’s needed. This conversation has continued since Limits to Growth was published in 1972, with little progress. COP meetings achieved little. It is clear that “The Collapse of Global Civilization Has Begun.”

BUILDING THE CITY

Simon Michaux is starting to work with The Venus Project as its CEO. Conceptually, he is taking the project from a stage he calls Jacque’s Rest. He aims to create a sustainable and modern society by drawing inspiration from successful communities like Hamish and Indigenous groups like the Australian Aborigines. The proposed site for this society is a privately owned location on the coast, with no nearby resources or facilities. The project team is seeking a site where they do not compete for resources, and negotiations are in progress.

The project’s initial stages will involve conducting a thorough site study to understand the land, including the water, relevant flows, and water table. Due to the (expected) site’s current state, the initial work will resemble a mining site. As the project progresses, the company will transition into a democratic society.

One of the first tasks on site will be to set up a small modular reactor (SMR) that will use seawater to produce steam to generate electricity. The remaining brine from the SMR will be filtered and stripped of metal elements to make batteries. At the same time, iodine will be used to treat sewage as a source of agricultural irrigation. The proposed city site is in a desert area with local mines and many used tyres. These tyres will be shredded and transported to the city site, where they will undergo processing in a pyrolysis plant to produce graphite, steel, and fuel oil.

The community will provide those working in the city with housing, food, electricity, water, sewage, education, and medical services. The goal is to create a resilient community that coexists with the environment. Individuals may also receive a supplement income in foreign currency to maintain a connection with the outside world. This new society will reinvent agriculture self-sufficiency by growing various crops while avoiding industrial agriculture practices, GMOs, and harmful chemicals that can damage the environment and human health.

ENERGY

Energy is critical for society to function. One thing that makes it difficult, and some green transition plans forget, is that not all energy sources are the same. Plans for the city allow for these relationships. Simon has called his proposal The Purple Transition to set it apart from the green transition. It brings together a Molten Salt Reactor, the Combustion of Iron Ixode to produce high temperatures for manufacture, and Ammonia Internal Combustion Engines for transport.

Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are innovative nuclear reactors that use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant and dissolve the fissile and fertile fuel in the salt. They are versatile and can operate with various fuels. It is a proven technology. In the USA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Molten Salt Reactor Experiment operated from January 1965 through December 1969, logging over 13,000 hours at full power during its four-year run.

The Ammonia Internal Combustion Engine is gaining popularity as a promising alternative to traditional engines. It is carbon-free, has a high energy density, and easily stores and transports. Although safety and efficiency have been concerns in the past, researchers have made significant progress in addressing these issues. The practical applications of ammonia in internal combustion engines are attracting the interest of shipping stakeholders, who see it as a viable alternative. Retrofitting modifications may make using ammonia in existing engine architectures possible, making it an attractive option for transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

The third part of the purple transition is Metal Powder. A number of organisations, including a Dutch company, Metalot, are developing a technology that takes iron oxide or iron powder, burns it, and oxidises it, releasing heat. Five hundred kilograms of iron powder produce one megawatt-hour. The burn temperature is around 2,300 degrees Celsius, but their systems suggest that 1800 degrees is acceptable.

MANUFACTURING

Whenever a new technology or idea threatens the current status quo, those who benefit from the current system typically try to block or slow down its adoption. This can happen in any industry, from healthcare to transportation to energy. Established providers have a vested interest in maintaining the current way of doing things, as it provides them with a steady stream of income and profits.

Whenever a new technology or idea threatens the current status quo, those who benefit from the current system typically try to block or slow down its adoption. This can happen in any industry, from healthcare to transportation to energy. Established providers have a vested interest in maintaining the current way of doing things, as it provides them with a steady stream of income and profits.

3D printing is one example where adoption will reduce the need to transport parts around the globe for assembly into the final product. The city will be able to produce high-value products from the graphene obtained from the recycled tyres mentioned previously.

Alan Butcher, a GTK Research Professor, and colleagues developed microwave technology to process ores by applying microwaves to ore rock to release oxygen and water. They also created the technology for building habitats on the moon. During the process, it was discovered that minerals have different melting points; hence, they congeal in metal droplets, leaving behind an ideal building material. It is expected that it will be possible to process what is currently mine waste and release minerals and building materials for the city.

Hemp has a rich history with over 25,000 diverse uses. It has been utilised for paints, printing inks, varnishes, paper, government documents, bank notes, food, and textiles. For instance, the original ‘Levi’s’ jeans were made from hemp cloth. It was also used in building materials, although it remains banned in many countries. The USA’s Declaration of Independence was even written on hemp paper. However, it faced challenges, especially with the rise of cotton and the emergence of synthetic textiles in the 20th century. Despite its potential, hemp’s reputation suffered due to propaganda and vested interests. Nonetheless, hemp continues to be recognised for its versatility and potential benefits.

Thanks to modern technical developments, hemp’s applications have expanded. It’s now used in the production of composite boards, motor vehicle brake and clutch pads, plastics, fuels, bio-diesel, and eco-solid fuel. This versatility is a testament to the potential of hemp and the need for its widespread utilisation. Anything that can be made from hydrocarbon (fossil fuel) can be made from a carbohydrate.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The potential of AI in government is tremendous. By harnessing its power, we can establish a more democratic and transparent governance system that better serves the needs of all citizens. AI has the capability to process vast amounts of data and generate insights to help policymakers craft legislation and policies that take into account all stakeholders’ opinions and concerns. Additionally, blockchain technology can be utilised to ensure integrity and transparency. Taiwan is at the forefront of these initiatives.

FUNDING

The plan is to fund the enterprise through seed funding and by attracting investors who want to make a positive impact on future generations. The city will feature an Innovation Hub where inventors can work on projects, some of which will be open source to address global issues and produce patents that generate income. Additionally, they will sell products such as graphene made from recycling tyres.

What Brought Us To This Point

In our systems, something’s value is derived from its context. Some may say it is the market, but which market and how does the market determine the value? For example, a thick winter coat may be of little use on a hot summer day, but it becomes valuable when walking through snow at subzero temperatures.

However, when we convert a tree into lumber and assign it a monetary value, something is lost because we disregard the ecological value. We ignore the importance of the oxygen it produces, the birds and animals that make their homes in its branches, and the insects that eat its leaves. Assigning a value to something in this way is not only reductionistic but also harmful to the environment, resilience, and overall system well-being.

This type of abstraction can lead to a disconnection from reality and cause decoherence. Historically, there were two distinct schools of thought regarding this issue. The Physiocrat Theories, which originated in mid-18th century France, viewed the land as the source of wealth and believed that humans merely harnessed the energy in the universe to create useful work.

Adam Smith’s work, particularly “The Wealth of Nations,” provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the economy. The Physiocrats, in contrast, were rather dismissive of the townfolk’s contribution to the nation’s wealth. Smith’s ideas took hold, playing a crucial role in shifting society’s understanding of economic systems. This choice is a cause of our disconnection from nature. Smith’s work marked a historical turning point that still resonates today.

As our economic systems developed, we found ways to store or exchange farm produce or lumber, representing the capacity to build an abstract economic value as stored wealth. We could simplify the exchange by converting the lumber into currency representing value. With the advent of digital banking, we can now transfer funds seamlessly to make the transaction even more convenient.

Recently, there has been a growing disconnection from reality due to a particular type of abstraction. We have started viewing our plans and budgets as the world we live in rather than representing that world. An example is when, in 1971, President Nixon ended the Bretton Woods agreement, which had gold as the foundation of currency. By doing so, Nixon effectively separated the economy from the real world. Since then, there has been a growing disparity between prices and value, which has continued to increase in volatility. The US government, and consequently, the world, began to use Fiat money, a government-issued currency not backed by a physical commodity like gold or silver. Instead, its value is derived from the relationship between supply and demand and the stability of the issuing government.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the world’s challenges demand urgent attention, and innovative solutions are required to tackle them. Unfortunately, we are not well placed to judge how much time we have to act, and it is prudent to expect the window for action is closing. The Venus Project Evolution is one proposal to test solutions to create a sustainable and modern society. While there are challenges facing the project team, including excessive political pressure and limited testing of solutions, we must pilot and learn from all potential solutions. Governments have a crucial role in applying the knowledge gained in ways tailored to their specific circumstances. We can build a better future for ourselves and the planet by working together.