Peak Oil

I just finished watching an astonishing movie, "The End of Suburbia" (see: http://www.endofsuburbia.com) in which policy experts discuss the implications of peak oil production. Peak oil production is that point in the bell curve at which the world's oil reserves are being tapped at maximum yield beyond which oil cannot be extracted as prodigiously or as cheaply. Experts are in agreement that peak oil productivity is likely to happen somewhere between 2005 and 2015. This means that as we pass that peak, fossil fuel prices will spike sharply, most definitely having a chilling effect on the domestic and global economy. The film points out that the form of life known as suburbia is headed towards a major collapse. Strip malls, 50 mile commutes to work, suburban housing will be the casualty on the descent. This has MAJOR consequences that will be felt in our lifetime. Additional information may be found at:
http://www.peakoil.net
http://www.fromthewilderness.com
http://www.postcarbon.org

These problems call for some major thinking and planning. Going skiing with Renner this last winter we were presented with bumper to bumper traffic for about 30 miles up into the Sierras. It forced us to ask deep questions about the sustainability of this culture. Above all we were convinced that for most of the public locked into this traffic this type of thing does not any longer seem out of the ordinary, given the fact that there have been large migrations to Northern California from Southern California. What a rude awakening we will face in the future. The specifics of what we can expect include
1. increased U.S. military operations, especially in the middle east
2. longer and longer recessions ending in economic stagnation known as "depression"
3. increasing civil strife

We are on a sinking ship friends, its time to begin charting our salvation from it. As I delve into this topic further I will post some recommendations and ideas. But again, this collapse is going to be gradual taking perhaps 20 or 30 years to really emerge. Our generation will be effected it seems, but especially our children's generation.