Poll: What do you know/think about "Peak Oil"

[hiremichaelreid]

Poll: What do you know/think about "Peak Oil".

Please vote in poll honestly, BEFORE you read any further.

Please comment on poll options and/or your thoughts on "Peak Oil".

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[Godiva]

"believe".

[skruse]

Read: Heinberg, Richard. (2997). Peak Everything - Waking Up in the Century of Declines. Gabriola Island, BC: Canada: New Society Publishers, $24.95.

A good discussion of technology, agriculture and the arts, natural limits, and the end of one era and the beginning of another. We are entering a major paradigm shift throughout society. The key is that we must all become more efficient.

[Sufferin' Prius Envy]

Poll choices too confining, so I chose Other; Explain in post.

Yes, oil is a finite resource, and our current pump-able supply is starting to outstrip demand.

I look at this as a good thing.
Changes will need to be made.
Hopefully those changes will be higher fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and electric and non-polluting vehicles.

Me personally, I'd love to see the USA go all out on building nuclear power plants and battery vehicles.

[dragonfly]

Originally Posted by skruse

The key is that we must all become more efficient.

In addition to reducing population.

[skruse]

Nuclear power (fission) is not cost effective. Even with federal subsidies and liability limits, there have been no new plant orders for some time. Nuclear power (fusion) or solar, is highly cost effective, renewable and sustainable, without all the fission problems.

Conservation and efficiency win over "go get more" every time. Another excellent book by Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute and the US Department of Defense, (2007).Winning the Oil Endgame. It is all about efficiency.

Reducing human population pressures is a key. However, it is a taboo subject with most politicians and planners.

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by Sufferin' Prius Envy

Yes, oil is a finite resource, and our current pump-able supply is starting to outstrip demand.

I look at this as a good thing.
Changes will need to be made.
Hopefully those changes will be higher fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, and electric and non-polluting vehicles.

Me personally, I'd love to see the USA go all out on building nuclear power plants and battery vehicles.

Yes, assuming "Peak Oil" does not cause great social upheaval, I'm viewing this as a good thing too.

Suddenly, there seems to be less talk about pollution and global warming, and much more about gas/oil costs and their economic impact.

If this leads people, like myself, to pollute less, and depend less on foreign energy, then that can be a good thing. I bought a Prius for economics, not ecology. The ecology is a wonderful bonus, that would have pushed me to the Prius even if the economics were even money or close. But it was still just a bonus, economics rules many decisions.

I just hope we can transition our societies away from expensive and polluting sources ASAP, without undue social/economic unrest. AND without people starving due to food competing with fuels.

I AM VERY concerned we may not be able to do this in time without great economic impacts. I don't know what the outcome will be, but I'm watching with great interest, and will be taking what I hope are prudent steps to protect myself and my family, economically and otherwise.

Among other things I will be getting fuel tanks or something with which I can store at least 50 gallons or so, safely out of doors, away from the house in an appropriate shelter/enclosure. I'm hoping this might allow me to save a few bucks by stocking up when prices are lower, as well as giving me a short term supply should shortages arise. I remember the 70's and things are different, but who knows ? Truckers have struck in Europe and people there have faced shortages. Here next ?

I've also become quite interested in Bio-Diesel for home heating in an oil furnace, as well as automotive. I understand Bio-Diesel can be self-brewed in your own backyard, and there are precautions to take, but assuming your labor is free, Bio-Diesel can be made for $1.00 or less per gallon.

As for nuclear, yes, in theory it the next best bet after hydro-electric, and most good large hydro locations are in use already. If there ARE any more built in North America, I would consider that a sign that the fuel supplies will be available. Heck, I'd be happy to see every nuclear weapon converted to fuel.

I am more of a fan of "Micro-Generation" though, where people set up small, distributed power stations, whether solar or wind or hydro or whatever. Micro-generation can adapt quicker, while large monopoly utilities have various inefficiencies of scale. The downside is that we may never achieve a state where micro-generation is more than just a supplement. How many people want to gamble on the risky energy market ?

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[F8L]

For those needing a crash course in Peak Oil I HIGHLY recommend watching "A Crude Awkening - The Oil Crash"

[hiremichaelreid]

Thanks for all of the poll responses. I was curious about the level of "Peak Oil Awareness" on this board, as I've been reading about it since seeing it mentioned here. I'd add "Theory", but nobody voted "...but don't beleive".

I'll summarize:

30 votes:

10% - Know nothing or had never heard about PO
7% - Are not concerned.
38& - Are concerned, or are somewhat concerned.
45% - Are VERY concerned
3% - Other

It appears that nobody who voted denies peak oil, although there could be debate if it has passed or when it will pass.


Disclaimer: The following are my opinions, and mine alone, and are not related to the poll results. They are based on a week or so of reading other websites, in between PriusChat etc.

I think there is sufficient evidence we are in the midst of peak oil, or at least close to it. The impact remains to be seen, but I think there is strong evidence that the meteoric rise of oil the last 5-8 years is directy related to peak oil, and Chinas' demand has certainly added some speed.

All that said, I certainly fear the prospect of tough economic times ahead. It COULD be as bad as the 70's and early 80's or even worse. US and Canadian economies have been on a BIG tear since 1982-84 or so, with old mild hiccups in 1990 and 2000. Perhaps it's time for something bigger than a hiccup.

But, I was almost convinced the markets and economy would crumble back in 2000-2002. But they didn't. So the "doomster" in me is being escorted to his Y2K bunker to eat MREs.

[sendconroymail]

Originally Posted by F8L

For those needing a crash course in Peak Oil I HIGHLY recommend watching "A Crude Awkening - The Oil Crash"

Watched this and thought it was great. Scared the hell out of me though.