John M. Cape

John’s fascination with energy systems drew him into studying solar, tidal, and wind energy systems in the 1970s as an undergrad at West Point. He later served as an engineer officer in Saudi Arabia, a country that dominated global oil markets. He then taught economics at West Point after graduating from the Stanford GSB. He elected to leave the Army and move to Houston, a world energy center. He focused on pipelines, engineering management, and upstream oil and gas development.

He was thoroughly introduced to global warming theory while serving as the editor of The Carbon Conundrum. He also edited Reconstructing Eden and published a multi-country economic model.

In 2006, he co-wrote his first novel, Oil Dusk. That book started with the foundation that the United States had 5% of the world’s population and consumed 25% of the world’s fossil fuels. Might a run on the dollar starve our country’s energy access?

In his day job, he actively secured natural gas acreage suitable for fracking. Before the book was even published, it was undeniable that fracking would revolutionize the country’s access to oil and natural gas. This development dramatically changed the industry and dwarfed the renewable energy business.

Net Zero Policy proponents were advocating the rapid elimination of fossil fuels. The essential focus of Oil Dusk might happen – not based on physical shortage but through government edict. Poorly Zeroed, a book that depicts a progressive woman President aggressively throttling the country’s access to fossil fuels, showcased the predictable consequences.

As part of these efforts, John invested considerable time and energy examining climate science from all angles. As he drilled deeper, he discovered it was often sketchy, politically motivated, and unworthy of further investment. This perspective shadowed his stories.

His next book, UnZeroed?, was a sequel to Poorly Zeroed and depicted a country challenged to escape the resulting economic malaise.