Originally posted by EastCoastKid
Peak oil. What does that mean exactly? It means at the current rate of world energy consumption, the world is on track to run out of oil by 2037. Some
go further, saying the U.S. government has fudged studies and that we will actually see the end of it by 2010 - or even by 2004. Oil reserves on this
planet are finite. Extraction is becoming more and more costly. World consumption is growing at a rate that will soon eclipse the ability of any
government to satisfy demand. Our lives - at least in the West - are bound like a siamese twin to the oil economy. What does this mean to nations who,
for two to four generations have lived life based on a gasoline-fueled society? If the spigets ran dry tomorrow, what would actually happen?
Two things leap to mind immediately. Food (farming) and transport. For years now, the government has systematically bought out small farms and
consolidated the industry, not to mention importing foods that we should and could be growing here. All hail "free trade." In order to feed our
population, food must be transported to every corner of this nation from the opposite corner. Gone are the days of local production on a big enough
scale to feed the people. In order to get the food to market, transfer trucks must be fueled to make the journey. If the oil ran out tomorrow, we
would have a crisis on our hands. Stores would, at least, temporarily run out of stock. As a result people would go hungry and the accompanying crime
and looting would occur. This could fall under the auspices of instituting martial law - at least in certain harder hit areas.
The other problem, that would literally throw our society back at least 100 years is the fact that we are so suburbanized now. Think of the average
person's commute to work. We are a nation held captive to sprawl. If the oil ran out, a multitude of people would become quickly unemployed because
of their inability to get to work. That is a scary prospect. The determined among us would have to ride a bike or a horse or walk incredibly long
distances. It would be a nightmare. How many of us think about these possibilites? It seems no one in the mainstream media will even begin to broach
this subject.
We must be out of our collective minds not to demand of our leaders a new energy policy - NOW! Before the axe falls. And it will! It is only a matter
of time. We know there are alternative forms of fuel. And we also know that the big oil, transporation and military interests have done everything in
their power to suppress the alternatives. If we don't do something about this now, if we don't put an end to this suicidal energy policy, we will
all suffer untold misery when the oil runs dry. Everyone will suffer!
Write, call, email and fax your congressmen and Senators and demand they focus their energies on finding and implementing alternative forms of fuel.
Our whole way of life depends on it.
Here's an accompanying article from the Guardian:
Bottom of the barrel
The world is running out of oil - so why do politicians refuse to talk about it?
Tuesday December 2, 2003
The Guardian
The oil industry is buzzing. On Thursday, the government approved the development of the biggest deposit discovered in British territory for at least
10 years. Everywhere we are told that this is a "huge" find, which dispels the idea that North Sea oil is in terminal decline. You begin to
recognise how serious the human predicament has become when you discover that this "huge" new field will supply the world with oil for five and a
quarter days.
Every generation has its taboo, and ours is this: that the resource upon which our lives have been built is running out. We don't talk about it
because we cannot imagine it. This is a civilisation in denial.
the rest:
www.fromthewilderness.com...
I just wanted to re-visit this topic and update it with a new article I found. I'm also gonna give a link to "What to do" when that happens. What
you do right now to prepare for that coming day could mean life or death. Literally.
Dear Reader,
Civilization as we know it is coming to an end soon. This is not the wacky conclusion of a religious cult, but rather the result of diligent analysis
sourced by hard data and the scientists who study global “Peak Oil” and related geo-political events.
The situation is so dire that even George W. Bush's Energy Adviser, Matthew Simmons, has acknowledged that "the situation is desperate. This is the
world's biggest serious question."
Life After the Oil Crash
If you are like 99% of the people reading this letter, you have never heard of the term "Peak Oil". I had not heard the term until a few months
ago. Since learning about Peak Oil, I have had my worldview, and basic assumptions about my own individual future turned completely upside down.
the rest:
www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net...
What to Do
As oil and gas are depleted - expect problems
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Restriction of oil- and gas-fuelled activities:
Unavailability of oil and gas as "raw material", for fertilizers, insecticides, and medicines, etc.
Economic collapse, as oil and gas-fuelled industry and business become crippled.
Severe food and water shortages, leading to riots, looting, and worse.
Demands for "sharing", anyone who prepared being accused of "hoarding"
Massive population dieoffs, as only a fraction of the present population can be sustained without the present infrastructure, particularly that of the
food industry.
Ecological disasters, as remaining natural resources are plundered in attempts to maintain the failing infrastructure. Heavy pollution as survival
overrides environmental concerns.
Harsher government at all levels, as governments struggle with local and external challenges, without adequate resources to cope.
Civil disturbances as the public suffers relentlessly deteriorating quality of life.
War, as those who are "better off" are seen as unjust, unfair, or evil, and those armed with weapons (including the military) feels they have
nothing to lose.
When to act:
Immediately. As the oil supply dwindles, the shortages, climbing prices, and disruptions of shipping and industry will restrict personal preparations.
the rest:
www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net...
I love it! 
just for the record transit is a waste of time and money. 