Backstop resources
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Backstop resources theory states that as a heavily used limited resource becomes expensive, alternative resources will become cheap by comparison, therefore making the alternatives economically viable options. In the long term, the theory implies faith that
Implications to peak oil
Backstop resource theory maintains that alternatives will be developed as they are needed.
Historical examples
Cuba, during its Special Period following the collapse of the Soviet Union, increased sugar cane ethanol production to offset lost crude oil imports from the Soviet Union.[citation needed]
Canada is the largest single source of oil imports for the United States.
Criticism
Environmental economists and critics of globalized capitalism take issue with this theory for a number of reasons. Environmentalists disagree with Solow's conclusion about the role of technology because it neglects to consider the increases in
The theory also neglects to account for certain requisite properties of the resources in question and the development of necessary infrastructure. It may be possible to design a car to run on hydrogen, but widescale construction of a hydrogen infrastructure is a far more complex problem, especially in a scenario in which the major resource is already becoming scarce.
References
- ^ U.S. Total Crude Oil and Products Imports
- ^ "International Energy Outlook 2013 - Energy Information Administration". Eia.doe.gov. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2014-03-23.