Richard Heinberg discusses all things Peak Oil - 2

[xs0heavenly]

Instead of asking how we can replace oil and CONTINUE living this way, why don't we start thinking about a DIFFERENT way of living? How about a more fulfilling way of living? Over 30,000 people in the US alone kill themselves each year. Thousands are on drugs, depressed, lonely, etc. This is obviously NOT working out too well. Not only mentally/emotionally, but ECOLOGICALLY, and physically, this way of life is NOT sustainable.. It's time for a revolution people, and not just a political one..

[su2grob]

But thats because there is no incentive for that at the moment, but it doesn't mean that economises going to contineu to function in the same pace. His all argument is build on this assumption. Long term perspective is unclear, oil is still a subject of market forces.

[su2grob]

This guy is not an economist to listen to... he only did the maths that do not tell us anything....

Yes the deman dis inelastic at the moment and rather then switching the investment to alternatives the gorvernments of US and Europe are exploining the possible short-term potential of oil reserves as well as try to stabilise and influence the market.

[dustyloup]

he predicted massive foreclosures and homelessness. he was right about that...

[Trentington]

The answer is permaculture, like Richard said. I live in a self sufficient eco-village in the New Zealand countryside. We've all studied it and apply the principles every day. It works. We do use oil of course, very minimmimly, but we could all survive quite easily without it. I'm very worried for the people in big cities, especially in the States. Permaculture, even just simple Horticulture needs to be a COMPULSORY subject in schools. PEACE TO ALL!

[PsychoticXVII]

I predict DOOM.

[hiredgoonadl]

If food prices skyrocket, farming becomes more profitable and farmers will be the first ones in line to buy oil. Roundup and tractors are far more useful to society than a suburbanite not catching a bus - and so the money will flow towards allocating resources to farms.

[gildone84]

except that you still need all the oil-intensive infrastructure and transportation systems to process that food under the current system and get it to market. Oil and fertilizer aren't getting cheaper... then there is a looming worldwide phosphorus shortage-- a vitally important element for industrial agriculture.

Heinberg is right: relocalize! Get started now, folks.

[transhuman7]

Our current way of living is comparable to a giant house of cards. The question needs to be asked: Did the human species evolve to be self-destructive? The way we're going now, that answer would be a definite "yes".

[donttrustany1]

Without a doubt "Man"kind has become ignorantly self destructive with leaders that aspire for short term gains.

You, your children, grandchildren, etc... are FUKCED! if all of us do not get rid of this militaristic, psychopathic society.

YOUR GOV'T WILL NOT SAVE YOU!

THE PEOPLE MUST MAKE THE CHANGES.....it's the only way anything has ever gotten better for the majority!!!

[colliedogjoy]

Part 2 only got half the views that part 1 got. The first two comments are deeply flawed. Great to hear someone with a clue trying to enlighten an actively ignorant 'global community'. Loving the yeast analogy. Permaculture. Spellcheck didn't like that!

[1d10cy]

our systems of greed will destroy us, a system of cooperation is needed, but humanity as a whole does not seem to comprehend that simple reality or just prefer apathy

[1d10cy]

the whole system is flawed

[joelregen]

yeah. pretty sad commentary on our political systems. Obviously their ownership by the very short-sighted corporate machine has blinded them to the intelligent way to deal with the incredible inheritance we had with cheap energy...we basically blew our wad.

[oreolvrs]

like he said in how to power down we should keep our knowledge in computers or in libraries

[rkubayi]

The only way we can win in this game is if we act collectively and confront this challenge. But human societies are not set out like that. What will most likely happen is that the well-off are going to benefit from ever-decreasing stocks of resources at the expense of the poor. That will lead to wars and chaos everywhere. I think our civilization, as we know it, is clearly heading for a collapse. I don't see us surviving this challenge.

[everybodysayyeah]

this is clearly a great man, and I agree with everything he has to say... EXCEPT for his prophesy of the "re-ruralization" of lands. In fact, we allready saw that during the 1950's, it was called suburbia, people owning a mini piece of what was once farmland to escape the dirty cities. I believe we will see closer knit communities relying on urban agriculture ie community gardens, green roofs etc. the de-centralization of agriculture to many "mini-plots" of farmland in dense urban areas.

[joemwm]

ALTERNITIVE ENERGY Farmers will grow there own and your fuel ever heard of biodesil veggi oil ethinal or gasifiers{they turn the combustibles in wood ,agri waste into a gas to run a internalcombustion engine}. they used them during the war when fuel was rationed the tecnology is available.Just google it the truth is out there and it will set you free from big oil even before so called PEAK OIL.