At the present rate of consumption, all the known oil reserves in the world will run out

[Cal33]

in about 100 years anyway -- even if we don't suffocate before then. Why not
switch over to alternative forms of energy right now? It's not that oil is the
only form of energy that exists on earth. In fact, if we had started switching
over to solar, wind.....and others forms of energy 40 years ago, we would have
been sitting pretty energywise right now, nor would we be having the pollution
that exists today.

But there are too many people dumb enough to listen to and believe the lies of
the oil companies. They prefer to take the word of our sociopathic corporation
leaders. Maybe we deserve to do ourselves and our world in. We certainly are
dumb enough and trying our best to do so.

[riversedge]

1. Why not-cause Koch Brothers own many politicians including in Wisconsin..

Gov Walker has killed our trains that were to be built and killed the wind industry.

[Cal33]

3. There's the perfect example of a sicko politician who would do anything

the Koch brothers say. Maybe he even hopes to inherit something from
them? After all, David Koch is already 78, and his kid brother is only 73.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

2. Ah, but your preciction of 100 years cannot be realized "at the present rate of consumption"...

Here are the EIA figures for rate of consumption:

World

2008: 84,696.9
2009: 84,917.7
2010: 87,527.3
2011: 88,743.9
2012: 89,406.6

http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=5&pid=5&aid=2

Taking into account the current crude oil production plateau that has been in place since 2004-2005, that's 10 years without a substantial increase in production, and growing demand, the pressure on fossil fuels, primarily crude oil, will have profound effects on the economy well before 100 years.

While we're at it, let's look at production:

World

2008: 85,438.9
2009: 84,592.5
2010: 87,157.8
2011: 87,572.9
2012: 89,292.5

http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=5&pid=53&aid=1

Interesting that production is barely keeping pace with consumption. OR... is it that we're using everything they can get out of the ground? Soooooo...... What happens when the production plateau begins it's inevitable decline? And when will that be?

Yes, we need to put alternatives into high gear. Doing that will help mitigate the crude oil crisis we will come up against and it will help mitigate climate change.

[Cal33]

4. The thought occurred to me, are humans by nature suicidal? Are we going

to die out as a species by our own hands? It seems that all species
must die out sooner or later, but are we the only ones smart/dumb enough
to do it by our own hands?

[ChisolmTrailDem]

8. We won't die out but it's probably safe to say that 100 years from now it will

be a very different world. The question is, will there be civilization?

[Cal33]

11. "Will we have a civilization?" If world destruction comes because of World War III, I think

enough people in a few countries could survive intact - Switzerland, for instance.

Shortly after WW II, the Swiss had dug many and huge caves deep into their mountains,
large enough for their entire population. They also stored enough food, water and all types
of supplies to last 5 years. Once a year they would remove the oldest perishable supplies
(like food) and replace them with a new batch - a year's worth. The Swiss were and
are a wealthy nation. They could and can afford it.

So, if there should be a worldwide nuclear war, many Swiss living some distance away
from the caves wouldn't reach them in time. But those living closer by would. The population
of Switzerland today is about 8 million. If only 10% of them would reach those caves in
time, there would be nearly a million healthy survivors. I understand that the Swedes
also have some similar plans. You can be sure they have stocked books, etc. for the
education of their young. These people are very conscientious and thorough in what they do.

But if there should be world destruction from other causes, I wouldn't know what to think
about the survival rate of people and of human civilization.

[Enthusiast]

5. And waste all that profit?

You must be crazy!

[Cal33]

15. What's so crazy about "Profit before Death???" :)

[Spider Jerusalem]

6. Why not switch to alternative forms of energy now?

Simple: there is no alternative that can actually replace oil. No alternative energy source combines energy density with portability and suitability for fuelling transport. And it's not just energy; oil is a significant source of chemical feedstocks for manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibres, pesticides, synthetic rubber, asphalt, and dozens of other things.

And it's not just oil; it's coal, and natural gas, for electricity generation--only 13% of US electricity comes from renewable sources, and most of that is from hydroelectric dams; electrical power generation is responsible for a larger share of greenhouse gas emissions than transport. (Solar and wind are not replacements for oil; they are replacements for coal.)

[Cal33]

9. Aaaahhh! Don't underestimate human ingenuity. And necessity is the mother of invention.

We have our scientists who will discover replacements of a similar or, even better, quality!

In the meantime with our technology of today, as many appliances, instruments, vehicles,
etc. should be made to use electricity for energy. Right now, private cars could be electric
ones, but commercial and military airplanes could continue to use gasoline, until such time
as new discoveries and inventions will come about. The amount of carbon-dependent fuels
used would drop very sharply, perhaps allowing Mother Nature to begin to recover the
balance between oxygen and carbon-gases to a healthy degree.

The whole world would be urged to join in this endeavor, of course. I can't think of
anyone disagreeing outside of corporate executives and those people who work for them.
After all, isn't the preservation of the planet and of life itself important enough for us
to make use of all efforts we can think of to bring it about?

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. 88% of electrical generation comes from coal and natural gas

which emits carbon dioxide, which doesn't really help the issue of carbon emissions and global warming. Expecting technology to save us is deeply misguided. There isn't sufficient political will on the part of people in a position to do anything to say "okay, from here forward we have to accept that economic growth is a thing of the past" (for instance).

[Avalux]

7. See here's the thing....greed doesn't give a shit.

The people who hold all the cards and pull all the strings will be dead by then, so what do they care? As long as they're alive, they're going to make as much money and obtain as much power as possible because once they die, they get a special reward from god for helping along the demise of the entire human race! Oh wait.....

[PowerToThePeople]

12. K&R. n/t

[RobertEarl]

13. Taxes

How can government tax the wind? The sun, too. How?

What taxes will build the roads if there is no fuel tax?

Fossil Fuel taxes are the most dependable and steady stream of revenue the governments take. This problem is being worked on in deep, quiet, government circles.

One option is to tax the miles your electric car moves every day. That would mean an NSA type device on your car; every car. They already make them, you want one?

Solve the problem of revenue and you solve the problem of the government getting with alternative energy.

[Cal33]

14. Energy alone will not build roads. One also needs the solid materials of the road itself, and

roads breakdown and need to be maintenanced on a regular basis. The
same applies to overhead passes, bridges, etc. They charge tolls, don't
they, for using roads and highways?

We are reaching the point where the gases being given off by fossil fuels
are beginning to harm us. Their concentration in the air is reaching the
limit that our human system can take. Big Business, of course, tries to
deny this for as long as they can get away with it. Those greedy swine.
Wait till they, themselves, begin to suffer from the effects of high
pollution. It might be too late by then.

[Nye Bevan]

16. I'm all for more nuclear power.

The French have the right idea.

[taught_me_patience]

17. Are you willing to pay more for electricity derived from solar?

I'd bet most American won't. In fact, I'd bet that most DUers won't either.

[Cal33]

18. Initially electricity will cost more because the numbers of users can't help but

be small. As the volume of users increase, though, the prices will
come down. It is true that when something new begins, it is more
expensive.

So, if we think in terms of what's better for the health of our nation -
in fact, for the health of everyone on earth - yes, I am willing to
start off paying more for electricity. The increase will only be
temporary.