I have been reading a lot on the internet recently about "Peak Oil". That it is going to occur in the very near future...like the next 5-10 years. And that civilization is going to collapse and society will end as we know it. Just wondering what some of your opinions are on this? Is this possibly going to happen this fast...or if it does will it be later in this century? Thanks, JR
You'll be retired by then, Mr. Ewing - so why the interest? Society will not end. If oil really does start to run out worldwide, its economic stranglehold will slacken, and other energy sources for transportation will finally have a chance to become more important. Wouldn't you rather have a slower, electrical or ethanol-powered car than pay $10 for each litre of petrol? The power generation industry can already get along without oil-fired stations, and other derivatives of crude oil - such as tar and plastics - can easily be created by other means.
There are methods being developed of creating oil from biological waste products. http://www.changingworldtech.com/
Alcohol will become the predominant fuel, as far as I can tell. I also suspect there is a way to efficiently use alcohol, at least ethanol, to produce hydrogen and other gases to retrofit existing vehicles to run on hydrogen produced on demand. http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1044486.htm There is also the other thread called "What energy after oil" http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=35170 and a few others that touch on the subject exist.
Nice site, Tortoro. "A return to a medieval style of existence will become inevitable"? Some people probably find that appealing. If it's all accurate, the nightmare probably begins in the next year or two... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Have you built your mott-and-bailey or stockade yet, to protect your food and fuel stockpile? I think I'll take up archery and learn to live in the woods. "Unconditional money back guarantee - If you don't feel you've gotten more than your money's worth, you get a refund.." So anyone who's ill-prepared for living like a feudal baron, despite having read the book, will be financially compensated: after all the World's currencies have collapsed?! I'm not a human ostrich who thinks that ignoring a problem will make it go away. The oil age IS ending, and I don't doubt that shortages will lead to further wars and civil/economic disturbances - but it doesn't have to mean the wholesale collapse of civilization. Doomcryers have always underestimated technology and human adaptability.
