NationStates Jolt Archive

A topic that always rides on the back of MY mind is....whats gonna happen when we run low on oil? We've already seen the affects a moderate price change has on our economy's and Lifestyles, What's going to happen after we recognize peak oil has occured...what are our alternatives going to be, without our gasoline, will the economy and social order disintigrate...Or am just being cynical...Beacuse I'm assuming this event, will happen in the next 15-55 years...I hope we find a sustainable alternative fuel before then...

*worry worry*


P.S. ETHANOL IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION IN MY OPINION!!!

Yeah, we've already seen what the result of an increase in oil prices (caused by more demand than supply - essentially the same thing that happens in the peak oil scenario) does: it makes people change their consumption habits.

The easiest things, like transport, come first. Then follows power generation, which takes a few more years. And as prices get higher and time progresses, the use of oil-based plastics also becomes more expensive and will be replaced with something else, and GM foods will take over for the more expensive fertilisers.

And that'll be all. No doomsday, I'm afraid, the Malthusians lose again.

I'm gonna call myself Lord Humungus and set up a biker gang.



Now, seriously: XVIII-Century England saw severe resource crisis (wood being the said resource), but they managed to get out of it by recognizing coal as fuel. While it was already known before, it was rather disliked, but people got used to it. This time, I think, we'll also be able to switch to another energy source (which may be known for many years, only dismissed as more troublesome than oil), while leaving the leftovers for chemical industry.

Now, seriously: XVIII-Century England saw severe resource crisis (wood being the said resource), but they managed to get out of it by recognizing coal as fuel. While it was already known before, it was rather disliked, but people got used to it. This time, I think, we'll also be able to switch to another energy source (which may be known for many years, only dismissed as more troublesome than oil), while leaving the leftovers for chemical industry.
Reminds me of something that came up of late ....
http://www.adn.com/front/story/460599.html

P.S. ETHANOL IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION IN MY OPINION!!!It'll take the edge off energy worries; if you drink enough of it.