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Crude

February 6, 2008 3:05 PM

Crude - the incredible journey of oil, from its birth deep within our dinosaur-inhabited past, to its ascendancy as the indispensable ingredient of modern life.

Oil is one of the most sought after resources in the world and sweeps into almost every part of our modern lives, yet most people have little idea of the incredible 160 million year journey it has made to reach our gas tanks and plastic bags.

Oil is one of the most sought after resources in the world and sweeps into almost every part of our modern lives, yet most people have little idea of the incredible 160 million year journey it has made to reach our gas tanks and plastic bags.

Tell us what you thought of this film.

Comments

tamera wrote:

February 10, 2008 10:30 PM

How do I purchase a copy of this documentary? I think it would be great to use in my Biol 11, Sc 10 and Science and Tech 11 classes.

James Langford wrote:

February 10, 2008 11:58 PM

We are surely creating a terrible world for our future generations. So sad.

Russ wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:01 AM

excellent program...the sooner we run out of oil the better it will be for all of us. We will find lots of alternatives.

Adam Whiteside wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:01 AM

I liked this documentary, it is a great presentation of the history of oil and it's impact on the world. I think it will be interesting to see how the world reacts when we are low/out of oil. I find it interesting how one of the leading scientists who finds the oil now has his own alternative energy company. We need to lower our dependence on oil more and using solar and wind energy could help a lot.

dan wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:02 AM

I have been aware of some of the issues the passionate eye is talking about but what about solutions. Nikola Tesla had a car, in the early 1900's, that travelled 1500 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Why aren't we seeing major changes in industry and hearing of the release of old ideas that could radically assist society and possibly ward off catastrophe for us all.

Kamal wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:02 AM

This documentary was amazing. A lot of what is presented was already known to me but the way it is presented and tied to the climate cycle (for lack of better word)is amazing.

When I see this and many other documentaries around this topic I wonder that our politicians are being pinhead involved in their short sighted political agendas and doing something to stop our and their own destruction.
Third world countries will continue the path to riches unless the developed economies do something do a way more than what they are doing now.

Graham T. Chambers wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:03 AM

For years I have believed that the probable theory for the disappearence of the dinosaurs and the creation of the oil deposits, the presence of the frozen wolly mamonths in the Soviet Union etc was a global disaster, yet the common idea of a large collision with a metorite did not seem plausible. I agree with your idea that it was a huge global water disaster...hence the flood account in the Bible.
The biblical account of Noah, can explain all of our questions as to the disappearance of the dinosaurs, the production of oil all around the world, the huge canyons like the Grand Canyon etc.

Marion Current wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:03 AM

This documentary is most depressing. Why? If scientists know this much already - that we are headed straight for disaster, why are these facts only now being introduced to the public? And, perhaps these so-called-facts are only the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps even more is known and the authorities don't want the public to know the full implications and therefore bring on a general panic? I have a feeling we still aren't being told the full truth.

Gary Sweet wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:05 AM

What a great documentary. As I think we can all appreciate climate change is here to stay unless we can get things turned around. Can anyone visualize a US economy with no oil. That crisis will be as bad as the result of global warming.

Allan Sophath Kao wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:06 AM

Very interesting and informative show. Well done!
I would like to see a follow up show on how we can play a part into contributing to a cleaner world and to save Earth from disaster with the examples of people, governments, businesses or whoever doing there part.

Thanks.

lobby wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:07 AM

Interesting documentary and well done.

It's obvious (but probably not backed up enough to report) that fossil fuels are part of the Earth's homeostasis system: releasing each carbon molecule is like releasing stored sunlight into the atmosphere, upsetting what took millions of years to get just right, using trees and plancton and ice caps.

What must be understood: the atmosphere is not becoming out of balance; the atmosphere is the balance.

It's strange in this context that talk of a carbon tax is not even on the table. The issue should be how to best stop, as quickly as possible, the burning of fossil fuels.

It's interesting that Canada will be the last country, scraping every last carbon molecule off the tar filled sand.

John wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:10 AM

Well I just finished watching the Documentary.

I'm A Young Male who works in a industry that basically is based around oil. I see the negative effects of the product just within my short lifespan so far. And I'm in a conundrum at this moment. I know and want to believe that making a difference will help but the thing is.

How is my being greener help with the issue when I would say 8 out of 10 people do nothing to help with the issue. Why should I? This is ignorant but the fact of the matter is, if we are all doomed why bother trying to fix an unfix able problem and just enjoy whats left before our indefinite demise as a species and an individual.

Do not get me wrong I do see a possible solution to out near catastrophe but it requires the effort and cooperation of to many different minds and influences by people who think for them selfs. So should we revolt and attempt to make a difference or just live with our choices and suffer slowly?

G. R. L. Cowan, boron combustion fan wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:14 AM

I didn't hear any mention of governments' large share in petroleum revenue. We saw lots of highways filled with fast-moving cars, indeed some of this footage was sped-up, but without governments' and everyone in them's interest in maximizing oil revenues, speeding would not be thus encouraged.

Wallie Barton wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:15 AM

I may only compare this doc to my life experience; but, I have to say there has never been a film that better puts into perspective, global warming, than this one.

I am totally floored to think that conservative estimates place us at the stage of global oceanic anoxia in less than one hundred years - not to mention the unbearable climate changes that will predicate this, and the presently hidden factors that will definitely be there to speed up this process, which are not currently being taken into account in the forecasts.

I'm almost speechless, and, also, frightened that humans are going to prove to be creatures who will continue to sleep at the wheel, and figure it couldn't happen to us - or someone will take care of it for us, no worries.

David Forgione wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:16 AM

This documentary provided an excellent chronology of oil in a global context. Peak oil is much more immediate threat to our way of life than Climate Change; yet, is it rarely discussed in the media. As the documentary noted and many other sources have reported a peak in world oil production may have already passed or it at least will occur in the very near future. Given this I wonder what can replace oil?

Mike wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:19 AM

Our relationship with oil, our daily lives, and oil companies is comparable to the relationship a drug dealer has with drug addicts obsessed with crack.

Quite often a drug addict will not admit to having a problem and will go on the collision course with death unless theres an intervention. Whos going to give all of us the intervention since we are all living self destructive lives every day feeding the addiction to oil?

Shaker13 wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:26 AM

Canadians possess the world's leading body of expertise in carbon capture & storage.

The Alberta Research Council or (ARC). The head guy"Bill Guinter" just was named as a nobel peace prize laureate for the council's contribution to the body of data that won the IPCC & Al Gore their nobel peace prize.

We should be proud as Canadian's that we are leading the world in these solutions.imo

ARC is partnered with publicly traded Petromin Resources (PTR.V) out of Vancouver to spearhead CO2 sequestration or CCS (carbon capture & storage throughout China. Why would China pursue this technology? one might ask when growth has being their key focus to date with apparent disregard for the environment.

Sustainability? yes, but the #1 reason is Energy Security.
ARC has shown through test pilot projects in Alberta & China that oil production can be raised from a average recovery of approx.
30-35% up to 70%.

And coalbed methane (CBM) production from a average recovery rate of approx. 27% up to as much as 95%.
And China has huge amounts of CBM, as much as North America has natural gas and they have only tapped 2% to date.

ARC are a brilliant bunch, they invented 3/4 of the technology that is used in oilsands today and thery are going to do some very, very important work in China with Petromin, as China is deemed as ground zero for global warming and I believe the innovations they do their will be exported around the world.

This is a huge step as Al Gore has highlighted in his Doc."Inconvienent Truth" in buying us much needed time to come up with more solutions to save our planet.
I invite anyone here to visit my blog on www.stockhouse.com called Enviro Energy, the topic of this blog is CCS or stop into the PTR (petromin bullboard when there and learn more.
Shaker13

PS
Thanks CBC, that was a important piece, re:"Crude"
Keep up the great work.

Wallie Barton wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:28 AM

I don't find this discussion set-up very helpful on this web page. The TV show said to go to this page to find a discussion with one's fellow viewers. There only appears to be a place here for entering one's comments and one is all alone with nowhere to go in order to read parts of the "on-going discussion".

There can be no discussion here alone on a web page with no links to one. What's going on? I tried the "search for discussion" text box to the right above, and the "search" returned an error message on my browser, saying that there was no server of this address, URL, out there.

Please pay more attention to web designer p's and q's; surely the CBC can be better at designing interactive web pages than this. Look at what a great job the Australian, ABC, public broadcaster does, with a smaller country population, and fewer resources.

Thank-you, Wallie

PLEASE NOTE: This program aired on the weekend and all comments are moderated. At this point in time, our moderator only works during business hours. CBC Moderator

Andrew wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:44 AM

The predictions in this piece are far gloomier even than Al Gore's. I truly hope they are wrong but I also fear that they may be closer to the mark than we know.

I strongly believe that the actions of this generation and the next will have dire consequences for all future generations. Even to the point that we may have engineered our own extinction.

I believe that if mankind survives another 1000 years those future generations will look back with disblief at how arrogant, selfish and short sighted we have been. They will say to themselves "The writing was on the wall plain as day! Why could they not see it?"

Dwayne Radke wrote:

February 11, 2008 12:58 AM

The science behind climate change is real and
Documentaries like "crude" go a long way to reinforce that we all need to be very concerned.

Changes must be made at all levels of society if we are ever going to get a handle on this self induced predicament. Environmental solutions sometimes have harsh economic consequences. From an environmental standpoint, shutting down a mega project like the Tarsands in Alberta would be a step in the right direction. From an economic standpoint, shutdown the Tarsands and you "shutdown" a lot of jobs, each job attatched to a face and each face attatched to a family... we can begin to understand our governments reluctance to start swinging thier axes.

Without strong international pressure, our government will continue to fund: rock gardens, natural gardens, rooftop gardens, green gardens and garden gardens.
In the meantime, things will continue to get worse and in thirty years when the planet's regenerative capacity has been surpassed and climate reversal is no longer an option, we can all stand back and admire our gardens.

Thanks CBC! Great story and keep shining the light.

Nir Tuv wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:15 AM

Again the cyclical nature of our world amazes me. The irony, in which the film concludes that we are accelerating the process that will provide the necessary conditions for comfortable life on earth, while reducing our chance to surviving possibly past the next generation, is absolutely mind blowing. I can't help of laughing at the thought now, but by the time the film's credits ran down, tears were running down my eyes with them.

I feel betrayed. Betrayed by the reckless leadership of the world, betrayed by human civilization, and by myself for I have fed the monster just like everyone else. I have driven many different cars thousands of Kilometres, flew in airplanes, consumed electricity irresponsibly, smoked, used plastic products and made fires. But worst, I know I will continue to do so as long as I'm allowed. The Irony is that I'm not sure I want to live in a future in which I'm not allowed. Like the rest of humanity I am a junky for crude.

Many questions remained unanswered for me by the time the film concluded. The more urgent ones are obviously: 'how long have we got?', 'can we do something about it at this point, and if so what?', 'do we really want to do something about it?', 'how will the world look if the human race somehow decides to tackle the issue?', 'will modern humans even want to live in such a reality?'

Here is my suggestion: shouldn't we think about this problem as we would about an eternally ill person who suffers, and has nothing left to live for? Should we keep him alive strapped to life-supporting machines, Or should we allow him to die in piece?

I guess everything comes to end, and every end is a new beginning. I use to think that we are the end of this world, but after watching this documentary I realize that it was presumptuous to even think that humans might have such an adverse impact on the world. We are although highly intelligent, but a mere fraction of a dot in the great course of the universe.

Morally, I feel partly relieved for not being partly responsible for the destruction of this beautiful world. However, this moral relief had made way to the guilt of being partly responsible for the world we leave our children; a world which, to my understanding might be too late to save.

As I understand it civilization is completely dependent on crude, which is made of carbon. The carbon is formed on the bottom of the deep seas by receding plankton that had captured it as a source of nutrition. Then during the course of millions of years the carbon had stored sunlight energy, which we can use today in the form of crude. The cycle then begins when the earth warms up due to the release of carbon from the bottom of the earth to the atmosphere, which creates a greenhouse effect. Then, due to the warming up the seas stagnate until they come to a rest allowing for the carbon to recede back to the bottom of the oceans and to capture energy until enough carbon have come back down from the atmosphere. At this point the earth cools down again allowing oxygen to build up in the oceans and currents to start flowing again. This is when life begins to flourish on earth.

So the only conclusion form realising this process is that in order to maintain our crude-junky lifestyles we have to keep extracting more crude, which we are running out of. But this might be a good thing cause then we won't be able to use more crude. However, at this point it means that we supposedly already released enough carbon to the atmosphere. Therefore, the only way of ridding civilization from this addiction is cold turkey - because in extracting the carbon from the bottoms of the seas, we are accelerating the process.

The problem, as I have raised it before, is do we want to live in such a world, and be responsible for possibly the greatest holocaust civilization had ever seen? Would it be moral to do so? And finally can we know for sure it would make any difference at this point in time?

Maybe the world community should start going to CA meetings. CA for Crudoholics Anonymous: 'hi my name is Niro and I am addicted to crude'.

Don wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:28 AM

I don't have a problem with listening to one perspective or another, as long as it is stated up front as being on one side of the discussion. The problem I have with the CBC is the fact that all Canadians must pay to keep the CBC on life support while it spews out lop sided views of issues it has already taken sides on long ago.

The problem with the Co2 theory is that by the time we've spent trillions of dollars with literally no discernable changes to show for it, millions upon millions of people will have died from lack of clean drinking water, shelter or basic food and medicine. When will the CBC talk about that?

I challenge the CBC to do a real documentary on Galileo. If they did, it would show how the 'father of modern science' went against the church and state to present the position that the earth was NOT the center of the universe. As a result, he was put under house arrest for the rest of his life.

If the CBC had the same power, the many scientists, politicians and individuals who have a different view than the CBC, would all be under house arrest or, if left to David Suzuki, in jail!

Lance wrote:

February 11, 2008 2:46 AM

Fantastic...

Please repeat as much as possible as this was so well done it may alone do more to save our sacred planet than anything I have ever seen... and have been locked into things like this long before Al Gore's award winning little film.

How do we recommend this for a Nobel.... forget it I'll just go to their website and do it.

Mike L. wrote:

February 11, 2008 3:00 AM

An ancient Chinese curse - "may you live in interesting times" ............ watching the human race reach its 'apex' has been interesting,,,,observing the beginnings of its downward spiral will also be interesting,,but painful as well.

David Price wrote:

February 11, 2008 3:12 AM

The documentary on Crude oil was exactly right on! Our addiction to oil will result in the demise of the human population on this planet. Global Warming is a fact and it is going to increase exponentially, mostly due to the amount of greenhouse gases that we put into the atmosphere.

myna lee johnstone wrote:

February 11, 2008 3:17 AM

I hope this powerful film motivates people to limit their consumption of oil.I now have an electric assisted bike and use it and public transit to get around around all year. If I can do it, so can you. Since I've done this, I have witnessed how toxic and absurd the automobile is.

I do not want to be a participant in this insanity any further.I first noticed this over 30 years ago when pushing my toddler in a stroller down a busy street. My child is being gassed.! The lack of consciousness about this is appalling. Drivers mindlessly idling. Vying for parking spaces,oblivious to pedestrians or cyclists. Its our biggest denial, our addiction to driving. Car Culture must be replaced with innovative public transit.

steve wrote:

February 11, 2008 3:21 AM

since we need to do something to change this, i was just curious of how open people would be to a documentary showing us ways we might be able to?

new technologies, inventions, ideas on how to conserve oil, etc. one that i have heard from an unlikeley source is from a seller of dog food (i wont mention brands) but i will say that your dog food documentary would agree its good. he told me that this company tries to get all of its sources from as locally as possible. this reduces the amount of fuel it takes to get it here, gives fresher, possibly better quality, and also (unfortunately costs more).

i found it interesting that he said this was going to become a increasingly popular trend. why would you want to buy fish from spain when you can buy it from a more local source and the cost difference is worth the quality (and now a cause). also i would like to say that it makes me mad that the rich oil companies would put all of humanity at stake while they live richly and will be gone before the world sees the consequences.

Sonia O'Connor wrote:

February 11, 2008 3:24 AM

This was an amazing documentary but unfortunately we missed the first hour. Will it be aired again and if so when. I think this is essential viewing for everyone and I hope that you will air it again soon with prior notification. The Passionate Eye is a superb production. Keep it up!

Thank you

Glenn Morrison wrote:

February 11, 2008 7:10 AM

For the most part, a well-developed and presented documentary dwelling largely on the origins of oil and the historical development of the oil industry.

The more useful part of the 2-hour documentary outlined the ramifications of our continued reliance on oil to sustain our way of life and provided broad predictions with regard to the inevitable outcome - not unlike similar documentaries presented on CBC and beyond.

At this point, what would be more useful is a documentary series that discusses what we can *do* about this impending disaster. This series chould range from why world leaders (and particularly our own here in Canada) are not only slow to respond but are almost incapable of taking positive, visionary action on account of our democratic process requiring majorities and the constant checking of public opinion for every decision...to the exploration of new models of society not based on constant growth resulting from the exploitation of finite natural resources...to practical ways in which we can heat our homes and offices and get both ourselves and our needed goods from place to place with a smaller environmental impact.

For an aware and small-but-growing segment of our society it is no longer an admirable thing to be wasteful users of our rapidly dwindling energy resources - whether represented by supersized McMansions or the unsuppportable luxury of individual auto travel.

Despite the general lack of uptake by the media and the refusal by government to identify this as THE problem facing all of us, people *are* becoming aware of the problem. The magnitude of the challenge can quickly lead to hopelessness, however, and what would be more useful now is a documentary series that explores what can be done and how we can make it happen, particularly here in Canada.

People want security and a future for their children and grandchildren; most of them are also willing to understand the issues and take action. What they need are ideas and direction - and hope.

Our leaders continue to demonstrate their inability to admit to us there is even a problem, and they are both unwilling and incapable of leading us to a solution.

From Bush to Howard to Harper, this anti-life stance at the alter of an unsustainable growth-based economy continues to be at the heart of the problem.

Change - if it comes - will come from the bottom up, and there *are* solutions available: new paradigms of society; different and sustainable values and ways of looking at the world that can slow and possibly even reverse this downward spiral (at least in our own backyard). What is needed now are media pieces that present these solutions in an understandable way so people can begin to make the needed changes at the personal and community level.

I hope the CBC can play a part for Canadians in exploring and presenting these solutions...AND present them in a more accessible timeslot than 10:00 pm-midnight on a Sunday evening.

Tim wrote:

February 11, 2008 9:50 AM

I thought this documentary told an eye opening tale, but its most important point was made at the end, and was regarding the intelligent suggestion that the solution to the "Peak Oil Crisis" and partial solution to global warming: If oil is becoming so precious and harder to get, let's not squander the remaining reserves by burning them. Instead, let's make plastic materials out of them it.

We can get energy from the sun, wind, and earth by various means, but the technology that we currently use to do that is only possible because of technologies made possible by plastic.

Ginger wrote:

February 11, 2008 11:37 AM

I read someone referred to intervention. Mother nature will be our intervention. She's working hard on that as we are here today. World food supply due to over population and difficult production due to global warming will cause mass starvation. We see it in third world countries and it will be present in industrialized countries sooner than you know...it is already here.

Oil will not run out, it will become so expensive that the cost of living will sky rocket. The rich will be unbelievabley rich and the poor will starve and become a huge burden to society. Crime will sky rocket, further separating the divide between rich and poor.

Self sustain. This will put you in the position of possible survival. The monster is too big now. We must act individually rather than wait for our almighty government to save us. It won't happen. Self sustain and start making wise consumer choices. That will buy time if nothing else.

Plastics have been proven to be toxic on so many levels. Folks are stuck on global warming but don't think of how plastics in our environment affect our wildlife, our food source and ourselves. We need to go back to a more simplistic way of life. Consumerism has to stop. All those corporations that want you to spend and act the way they do has a monumental effect on out environment.

Holidays are one of the worst, Christmas for example gives the masses and excuse to consume mass quantities of plastics, cut down trees (often not farmed) and travel. Silly really, considering many of those folks are not even christian.

Start thinking about everything and taking individual action. Be accountable. Take control of your own back yard...stop thinking about what needs to happen on a large scale. That is what boycotting is all about. It works!

Sonny wrote:

February 11, 2008 11:47 AM

Saw the doc late last night. Found it to be a bit disturbing that the U.S. of A. peaked in production in the 70's and now the World is going to peak and decline...

Unfortunately, in Ontario some companies produce gas guzzlers. Alberta will have to manage it's messy tar sands expansion.

I am of the view that North America and Europe are largely responsible for the problem of Global Warming given it's industrial and polluting activities over the century...

Tyler wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:11 PM

If alternative fuels are seen as a threat to large oil and energy corporations, why don't the energy companys develop the alternative fuels? This way if there is no competition, research and development agencies can work along side the energy corporations to increas capital, and bob's your uncle.

Bruce Voigt wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:15 PM

In regards to your most interesting program CRUDE, I must interject.

To reason with anything one must first know and understand the true reason.

I will compare this documentry CRUDE to scientificly describing the life and times of Santa Claus. It can be nicely done and interesting "BUT".

For the truth of such matters google
Bruce Voigt

Donald wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:32 PM

Has anyone read "UNSTOPPABLE GLOBAL WARMING"? by S. Fred Singer and Dennis T Avery

Brian Kropp wrote:

February 11, 2008 1:51 PM

Very good program.

How do I purchase a couple of copies of this on DVD ?

BK

Scott Cosby wrote:

February 11, 2008 2:08 PM

Interesting. I've been following the global warming/climate change issue closely for many years, and this is the first time I've heard of "global oceanic anoxia". Obviously this phenomenon was not discovered yesterday. So, why have we been talking about global warming and climate change when the real issue is something so much more catatrophically devastating than just a bit of bad weather and rising ocean levels? What am I missing?

Phil wrote:

February 11, 2008 2:26 PM

... so what will happen when the governments decide to cut off oil to consumers . and try to save what ever will be left for actual needs , such as plastics, medicine , even all the components that make up all of our little computers .. hey has any one watched the riots in LA from the rodney king incident recently .. imagine what people will do when gas becomes so expensive most people will not be able to afford to fuel their car , or homes or when all transports stop there is no food no way to get to work. i will even ask .. how many people even still know how to make break from a stick of wheat?

very good program reaffirmed where i always thought what humans would do to themselves , just like how so many past civilizations have . our lavish life style will all amount to a bunch of ruins .

Dennis Morgan wrote:

February 11, 2008 2:46 PM

Excellent documentary!
How can I purchase a copy?

Alec Mowat wrote:

February 11, 2008 2:56 PM

Show this documentary again soon.

Travis wrote:

February 11, 2008 4:03 PM

Great Documentary!

The solution to the problem comes from not using oil as much. This will be easy once we run out, and it becomes economical for other energies. But we must do what we can in the meantime.

The way that makes the most sense to me, is to buy a road-bike instead of a gym membership. In the summer at least, bike to work. Use manpower instead of oil. Burn fat not gas.

Tim wrote:

February 11, 2008 4:04 PM

We've been hearing about climate change for decades now. Too bad nobody listened hard enough to do anything about it. Now it looks like it may be too late for human civilization to survive, and the world governmanets still aren't doing anything seriously to stop it. We are following a natural population cycle- exponential growth then a massive die-off as resources are outstripped. I wonder if humans as a species will avoid complete extinction. Is the knowledge and technology there? Probably for the rich and powerful who got us into this mess.

There is no good solution here, but if the governments who drive western economy don't get their heads out of their collective butts soon, the loss of lives, jobs, etc that would occur with the changes that are needed won't matter, because we'll all be dead.

Khatun Damji wrote:

February 11, 2008 5:31 PM

How do I acquire this wonderful documentary? please let me know. Can one get ones local library to bring it into the library? Thank you. khatun

Jennifer wrote:

February 11, 2008 6:45 PM

With all the research going into extraction of crude, why are the companies not mandated to do the same research into photosynthesis and returning the carbon to the bottom of the waters where they belong. Some bodies of water need to be mandated to become the photosynthesis areas so as to create the environment to remove the carbon. Obviously we are heading in the wrong direction unless there is significant research on how to create artificial photosynthesis or promote the natural creation of it quickly before this train(earth) crashes into the wall!!!

Tom Nichols wrote:

February 11, 2008 7:04 PM

What makes me so frustrated watching this show(execellent, very well done) is that alot of this doesnt have to be.When I saw the Movie:Who killed the electric car(which I highly recommend and wish the C.B.C.would air),I began to realise that were in this mess because of greed and only greed.As long as we have politicans who are being influenced by the big oil and auto makers NONE of this is going to stop.Watching this show just confirms that.It is the height of stupidity to continue to allow this to go on.

I really admire the fact that the C.B.C. will air these and other programs like this even though ill bet anything the big oil and auto makers dont want you to see it.

Marc wrote:

February 11, 2008 7:41 PM

Very interesting, would like to see it play once more so we humans could understand the meaning of once its gone its GONE.

Dan wrote:

February 11, 2008 9:52 PM

I find some of the comments I read quite humorous.. Peak oil and global warming are not new concepts.. Peak oil has been around since the 70's.. I agree that carbon in the atmosphere is a grave concern, but I also don't buy into this ocean anoxia theory..

Peak oil will be avoided by the gasification of our massive coal reserves, thats how the nazi's ran their war machine, the carbon will be captured and pumped underground and inturn will boost oil production.. I believe that a chemical solution will appear to limit the overall CO2 released into the atmosphere, this combined with carbon sequestering will help limit and slow the effects of global warming.. Unfortunately systems like carbon capturing have been available for years, but only now is it becoming a priority.. Thanks from a 20 something who will be left to fix your problem..

Rene Desjardins wrote:

February 12, 2008 12:49 AM

I unfortunately missed this. How can I get a dvd of it..or will it be aired again.
Thanks
Keep up the good work
Rene

John William Whitmore wrote:

February 12, 2008 5:32 AM

A truly wonderful Doc. It serves to illustrate what we must live with. Neither socialist or capitalistic rehoric, but instead an illumination of the facts that are supreme. Facts that only a few are willing to endeavour to understand. And understanding is the true path to enlightenment. Or as this author prefers, determining all variables prior to going forward. The world is a changing place. And we, its inhabitants, cause change. Are we willing to accept the consequence of change? Are we willing to accept our responsibility in the change? Do we care about change? Or, will this be yet again another example of our idiotic desire to ignore the fact that our actions matter. No matter how small. We matter. And so do our actions.

Wendy wrote:

February 12, 2008 10:56 AM

very interesting...can I purchase or obtain a copy of the doc? thanks

Jurgen wrote:

February 12, 2008 4:27 PM

There is nothing that we can do to stop the carbon dioxide from creating this greenhouse gas effect. The iron train of Co2 is already out of control. Whatever change we do with the Kyoto Protocol is not enough; the whole Kyoto efforts will only be a pinprick against the beast that will ultimately change how we live and the overall future of mankind. We will live long enough to see the hints of this new hostile environment that is to come but it be just wise to brace ourselves for a rough future.

Lynda wrote:

February 12, 2008 4:30 PM

I have never believed that Man is responsible for global warming. Admittedly we may be speeding up the process, but the process itself was always inevitable. The earth has gone through various climatic cyles over millions of years and what is happening now - and has been happening for at least the past century - is the next climatic change. We can all remember that "winters used to be colder" and we can probably all remember our grandparents saying the same thing. Quite simply, the earth has been warming up since the last Ice Age and, as was mentioned in the documentary, the warmer it becomes, the more rapidly that change will happen... as they said if ice is melting into a pool of water, as the water surrounding the ice becomes warmer, the ice will melt faster.

The documentary was interesting but what it failed to ask was why - if it's anything more than cyclical - did the earth heat up when dinosaurs roamed the plains?

glyn wrote:

February 12, 2008 4:52 PM

I think it should be compulsory viewing for all politicians, students at school and university; be on general release at the cinema and be available at local video stores.

This is a splendid tour de force summing up our worship of the goddess of progress and our pursuit of endless pleasure.

This wonderful documentary encompasses a history of the world, science, politics, along with our current values and lifestyles.

Pity we could get someone like Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein and Thomas Homer Dixon to do a nationwide travelling Counterspin Carousel with a view to engage our brightest and best to energise us nationally to work towards collectively close the ingenuity gap.

sharon yaffe wrote:

February 12, 2008 5:23 PM

I missed the showing of Crude on feb10. Could you please show it again. Thank you.

Steve wrote:

February 12, 2008 9:39 PM

I was also floored by this Doc. and would like get a copy of it, or will it be replayed in the near future. Is there to be any more Doc's like this one?

Anonymous wrote:

February 13, 2008 2:40 AM

Brilliant informative program, particularily demonstrating the ecological consequences of our oil addiction - courtesy of human stupidity. It seems a great number of persons wish to acquire copies of this program but I have yet to see a response from CBC regarding this common request.

Stan Madore wrote:

February 13, 2008 10:59 AM

Crude! An amazing documentary that, for the first time, illustrates the connection between the nightmare Jurassic world state and our own, a world state that we are unwittingly recreating by unlocking excess carbon dioxide. Please see if the Australian Broadcasting people will allow you to source this DVD in Canada. We desperately need more Canadians to see this.

Martha S-B wrote:

February 13, 2008 11:48 AM

I submitted information early on Monday morning, the 11th, about how to obtain a copy of this DVD (from the original broadcaster in Australia abcshop.com.au) and it has not been posted.

As the DVD is exclusively available from this source, I can't imagine why my comment did not pass the censor-moderator here.

I purchased a copy immediately and am donating it to the architecture school at UBC.

As many people as possible should see this. Disseminate it widely.

Best wishes,

Martha

Don Humphreys wrote:

February 13, 2008 12:22 PM

You've created a powerful piece here.

Based on the length of time it takes to get society to come to the realization that we need to change our thinking on our lifestyles I would suggest that you make the show available to any and all television networks in the U.S., Great Britain, Europe, Australia, Asia etc. as soon as possible. It should be made readily available to schools and for purchase to the general public as well.

I would very much like to purchase a copy.

There seems to be a groundswell of consciousness building in this regard and this piece could give it a good push.

I would also strongly encourage the CBC, as a respected organization around the world to produce follow-up shows which would start people thinking about the things we can start doing to adapt to the change that is starting to appear. A previous comment mentioned that a feeling of hopelessness can take root if a path through a difficult situation is not presented. This is a perfect opportunity to provide the public with some ideas dealing with the "What do we do now?" question that is starting to brew in our minds.

Thank you for this piece, and please, please, please distribute it as widely as possible.

Documentary Moderator wrote:

February 13, 2008 1:29 PM

We are trying to source out if this DVD is available here in Canada (we do not own distribution rights to it). It can be purchased at ABC website in Australia, but the website indicates that it is available in PAL which won't work on many DVD players here in North America.
http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=744520

We'll post the information as soon as we obtain it.

Joe Perry wrote:

February 13, 2008 3:46 PM

CRUDE
Probably the best and most important documentary on global warming I'll ever watch.
Could you please advise how I could obtain the DVD.
Thank You
Joe Perry

Cara wrote:

February 14, 2008 1:58 AM

If you go to "google" and click "video" at the top of your screen, then type in "crude oil", it will bring up pretty much the same show you saw on CBC (one hour 29mins..starts out a bit fuzzy. We watched a show some time ago on U tube called "The end of oil" and it was pretty much the same documentary, mostly the same experts giving us the same urgent wake up call.

So,how do a bunch of individuals who have no power get the message out there that: you may love your car and all the unnecessary oil based products(we live in a world of extreme excess,not excluding myself) but in the long run you would prefer to have that finite oil resource for food and medicine?(too extreme for right now?)

My boyfriend who is a mechanical engineer enlightened me to peak oil about a year and a half ago and from documentaries watched etc, I truly am concerned.I must say I respect CBC for putting on a documentary like this and hope that they will put themselves out there even more going forward. Someone has to make the masses aware.....

Richard wrote:

February 14, 2008 10:16 AM

Peak oil, not in my life time. As the price goes up consumption will go down. As the price goes up alternates become economic, from renewables to oil sands, gasification, coal to oil, oil shale etc.

Global warming, learn to adapt. The thing we humans are best at is adapting to different climates and availability of resources. Our ability to change is what we need to work at not wishing we were all back living in caves as hunter gatherers.

Martha S-B wrote:

February 14, 2008 2:01 PM

The moderator's note on PAL formatting of Australian DVDs is correct. I would like to add a comment, as I believe it might be useful to others who wish to purchase the DVD.

I emailed the ABC shop and asked them about the formatting issue before purchasing. I chose to purchase the DVD as I'm confident it will play on my mac; for larger audiences this can be projected. I sense that many people who have posted here want a copy of the DVD for personal use and to loan to friends, libraries, students, etc. In the interest of information, I excerpt from the email I received from the ABC Shop:

Quote:
Unfortunately as stipulated online all ABC DVDs are currently encoded for region 4 DVD players only.

They will however also play on non-region specific DVD players. These are common around the world and growing in popularity as it allows the owner to view any DVD purchased from anywhere in the world.

Also, check the internet for a region free unlock code for your player. In Australia many players can be unlocked with a firmware update or even a simple sequence of button entries on the remote.

ABC DVDs are encoded for region 4 for copyright and other legal reasons.
Endquote.

I hope this information is helpful!

Cheers,

Martha

Bruce Voigt wrote:

February 14, 2008 4:47 PM

Next trip north ask the locals if they have noticed in spring the Sun rising and setting in different locations.

"There is NO such thing as Global Warming"!

Dramatic Earth tippings has the Earth changing its exposure to both The Sun and Moon.
Moon exposure the reason for water movement (ocean level), Sun exposure the reason for the melting of Kilimanjaro.

These tippings for now have alternating cooling and warming happening. Where it is warmer in one area it will be cooler in another. (more water in one area less in another. Thats for now, eventually and again the Arctic becomes tropical and the Ocean resides in Nevada.

It is of GREAT IMPORTANCE to establish a constant monitoring system for Canada's North Magnetic Pole Movements. ---
Google Bruce Voigt Crop Circles ---
WOBBLING of the EARTH - pg 9

Quote:
Bruce Voigt
In regards to your most interesting program CRUDE, I must interject.

To reason with anything one must first know and understand the true reason.

I will compare this documentry CRUDE to scientificly describing the life and times of Santa Claus. It can be nicely done and interesting "BUT".

For the truth of such matters google
Bruce Voigt

Posted February 11, 2008 01:15 PM

Jim Reeve wrote:

February 14, 2008 5:08 PM

Excellent Doc. Although I have been studying this subject for years, I learned some new science from this.
On youtube rite now there is a debate raging on whether GW is happening or not.
The GW deniers are using a lot of fake information and bad logic.
I got deep into that debate and even investigated some of the GW deniers. When I googled my own user name I found that a realistate Co. ,that sells only water front property, was investigateing me.
These same people are lobying governments.

SOLUTIONS:
We need a new economic model. The establishment economists are thinking in too small a box. I went to a lecture, given by an economist,from a right wing think tank and I asked him how we could change our current economic model to better deal with problems like GW.
In his answer to me he went of on a rant against communism. In fact I didn't say or imply anything to do with communism.
I was thinking more about the way the US changed their economy inorder to mobilize to fight WWII. They did not switch to communism.
But this just shows how the current economic thinking is resisting change.

More solutions lie in the direction of more research. We should be building wind, tidal, solar, geothermal and other low impact energy sourses. These could funded by taking the subsidies off coal and nuclear power generation.

Linda wrote:

February 14, 2008 7:14 PM

I believe the problem is over-population. If the world's population were smaller, say cut back to 5%, then all those problems we face that are due to over-population (use of oil and its products), the world could more easily absorb our mistakes. Figuring out how to cut back on our population is probably unnecessary now, as the changes have started and they are gathering speed.

Glenn wrote:

February 15, 2008 8:22 AM

If you liked this CBC documentary and are looking for something more in-depth re the social & cultural impacts of the coming energy crisis, read James Kunstler's "The Long Emergency".

If you want an extremely gritty, thought-provoking picture on what North American life may well look like 15-30 years out, read TLE and share it with your friends and parents.

A section in the book that was especially clear (for a layman to understand) begins on page 68, where Kunstler provides an analysis of the oil pressures & politics of the Middle East and how it all translates to the rest of the world.

Excellent reviews/critiques of the book can be found here:

www.treehugger.com/files/2005/05/the_long_emerge_1.php

www.raisethehammer.org/index.asp?id=084

www.americanscientist.org/template/BookReviewTypeDetail/assetid/45924;jsessionid=baa5UhjdcIk9zV

www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4339

www.compassionatespirit.com/Long-Emergency-review.htm

...and there are many interviews with Kunstler on YouTube.

And I also highly recommend anything written by Australian Tim Flannery, especially his recent book "The Weathermakers".

Flannery can also be found on YouTube, as well as on several CBC podcasts available for download from the CBC's podcast page.

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