"Energy is the only universal currency: one of its many forms must be transformed to another in order for stars to shine, planets to rotate, plants to grow, and civilizations to evolve."
About Vaclav Smil
Vaclav Smil — Life and Legacy
Vaclav Smil is a prominent Czech-Canadian scientist whose work spans energy, environmental issues, and the intricate relationship between technology and society. His distinctive contributions, particularly in books like 'Energy and Civilization', delve into how energy systems shape human existence and societal development. Smil's core thinking revolves around the idea that energy is not merely a resource but a fundamental element that underpins all aspects of civilization. He often articulates this through quotes that reflect the complexity of energy transitions and their societal implications. For instance, he notes that 'the transition from one energy source to another is never smooth or quick', highlighting the challenges inherent in changing energy paradigms. This perspective challenges the oversimplified narratives often found in discussions about renewable energy and sustainability. The relevance of Smil's insights continues to resonate today, as societies grapple with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions. His analytical approach encourages a deeper understanding of the historical context and technological advancements that influence current energy debates, making his quotes and ideas essential for anyone interested in the future of energy and environmental policy.
Quote collection
Vaclav Smil quotes
7 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"...no matter how complex or affluent, human societies are nothing but subsystems of the biosphere, the Earth's thin veneer of life, which is ultimately run by bacteria, fungi and green plants."
"Apple! Boy, what a story. No taxes paid, everything made abroad - yet everyone worships them. This new iPhone, there’s nothing new in it. Just a golden color. What the hell, right? When people start playing with color, you know they’re played out."
"I've read about 80 books a year for the past 50 years. I come from cultural breeding. I don't have a cellphone. When you spend all your time checking your cellphone messages, or updating your Facebook (of course I don't have a Facebook page) then you don't have any time for reading."
"Everyone [in higher education] was what I call drillers of deeper wells. These academics sit at the bottom of a deep well and they look up and see a sliver of the sky. They know everything about that little sliver of sky and nothing else. I scan all my horizons."
"A useful analogy is to see traditional societies as relying on instantaneous (or minimally delayed) and constantly replenished solar income, while modern civilization is withdrawing accumulated solar capital at rates that will exhaust it in a tiny fraction of the time that was needed to create it."
"You get up and, first thing in the morning, you do your 500 words. Do it every day and you’ve got a book in eight or nine months."