Peak Oil & the Developing Energy Crisis

An energy crisis is upon us caused by the arrival of Peak Oil, the booming Chinese & Indian economies, and the slowness of Americans to practice energy efficiency and to efficiently develop alternative energy sources.

Peak Oil is defined as the point in the oil production cycle at which approximately one-half of the existing oil reserves have been produced. It has been established that once this point - Peak Oil - is reached, oil production begins to decline. Peak Oil occurred in the United States in 1970 and oil production began an immediate decline. The results were pretty rough. (The older folks may recall the fist fights between men and women at the gas pumps back in the '70's!)

The U.S. got through the early energy crisis via a huge efficiency improvement effort by the major corporations and by a drastic increase in oil imports from the Middle East and from other areas of the oil-producing world which still had oil available for export.

The result of the improved energy efficiency and increased oil imports solved the problem for a few decades. But, as we know see, the solution was temporary and the problem is now back with us. However, this time, the oil available for increased imports has dropped as country after country and oil field after oil field have reached their Peak Production.

Potentially catastrophic events are foreseen to befall us as world Peak Oil is reached. Some of the scariest scenarios paint a dire picture because the world economy, essentially, depends on an adequate supply of oil. These scenarios include oil wars breaking out (Iraq War?), famines, etc, It is not a pretty picture.

But, does the picture have to be as gloomy as forecast. Can we do anything to change the gloomy forecasts. Here is my listing of actions that need to be taken. The list of links in another module can take to more detailed discussions of the specific areas of interest.

1. Alternative Energy Sources must be developed and fast! We don't know precisely when Peak Oil will arrive but it will be soon. We had better get ready! And development of alternative energy sources if number one on the list. We have had some disappointments in alternative energy sources. For example, solar energy was going to be our salvation at one time. Have you driven any solar-powered cars lately? What about cars operated by hydrogen fuel cells?

And more disappointments lie ahead. In my opinion, ethanol will be one as people realize that it is only partially effective because of the huge government subsidies granted to farmers, etc. to produce the stuff. And that is not even to mentions the rapid increase in corn prices that hurt poor folks in countries where corn is the staple food.

But all is not lost! Wind power, hybrid cars, liquefied natural gas, oil sands, tar and shale formation natural gas are coming on line fast. Yes, and even solar energy and ethanol will have some sort of role. Nuclear energy is also going through a boom in countries outside the U.S.

But this is not enough! We use an enormous amount of oil and we must replace a large part of this as the oil mother nature gave us runs out. The development of alternative energy sources must continue on an accelerated basis.

2. Energy efficiency improvements must be accelerated. For example, energy losses in our electrical transmission lines can be greatly reduced....but it will take a massive amount of money to accomplish the job. But, we don't really have a choice!

3. Americans must take another look at the energy we consume in our daily lives. Does every family really need an SUV? Or down here in the South, does everyone have to have a giant pickup truck. The pickups are getting so huge, you can barely see over the truck cabs and, usually, there is little being hauled in the beds. They are mostly for show.

Check the links in the links section for access to more specific information.