Australian MP Addresses Peak Oil, Soaring Prices

[hatrack]

When Labor backbencher Andrew McNamara rose from his seat in the Queensland Parliament in February to state a few home truths about falling world oil supplies, he expected, at most, a few catcalls from the Opposition benches.

Instead, the speech by the provincial solicitor from Hervey Bay, north of Brisbane, "bounced around the world". Although his words were little reported elsewhere in Australia, McNamara was inundated with congratulatory emails from all corners of the globe for addressing an issue that previously might have seen him labelled as a flat-earther.

The issue is Peak Oil, the theory that the world will face a sudden, cataclysmic decline in supplies after global production peaks, sometime in the next 20 years.

According to McNamara, who believes it's going to happen sooner rather than later, the direct impact on our lives will be greater than terrorism, global warming or bird flu. "The challenges we face after Peak Oil will require localised food production and industry in a way not seen for 100 years," he says. "Local rail lines and fishing fleets will be vital to regional communities. Self-contained communities living close to work, farms, services and schools will not be merely desirable; they will be essential."

EDIT

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2005/04/01/1112302237730.html?oneclick=true

Free registration required. It's worth it - very good overview.