..can someone explain Peak Oil to me? I havent been keeping up with this

[UpsideDownFlag]

pretty please.

[nostamj]

1. well, very briefly...

there's only so much oil. it's running out.

when it runs out, world chaos will ensue.

we use petro products for EVERYTHING, not just running cars.

plastics, drugs, farming, EVERYTHING.

[UpsideDownFlag]

3. shit. and this isn't news because why?

i find it hard to believe that society could become chaotic overnight, but that still sounds pretty bad.

[nostamj]

4. it would not be 'overnight'

google "peak oil" for some very scary predictions...

there is question about when the 'peak' will be hit, but, after that point, esp. with populations like China increasing their consumption, availability (and PRICE) of the remaining oil will cause massive global changes...

[gandalf]

6. who said overnight? nobody.

have a look at the official figures. doing a quick calculation, based on current known reserves and current consumption and assuming both to remain constant, we will run another 40 years.

U.S. Energy Information Administration

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/petroleu.html

[UpsideDownFlag]

7. i misread the table. it's still bad tho.

[Warpy]

15. No, it doesn't happen overnight.

What will happen is huge price increases for everything. The oil shocks of the 1970s will be seen as nothing compared to what peak oil will bring. Choices will need to be made about what is important: cheap plastic toys vs. gasoline for H2s vs pharmaceuticals vs. fertilizer and fuel to feed us. My guess is that the choices won't be made, and that conspicuous consumption will proceed until it's far too late. Inflation will disrupt all areas of society as it happens, though, with the poor being hit the hardest and the middle class disappearing entirely, while the rich tool around in their 6 MPG behemoths.

This is if we don't have other pressures, like war and a preexisting economic collapse.

Aggressively funding research into multiple renewable energy systems may alleviate some of the misery, but not all of it. We will start to see a massive increase in fuel costs right after the election, and that's something that is likely to continue as the increased cost of producing and transporting everything we use is spread through the economy.

That's why we have to get the oil barons out of government right now. Their solution is to find more oil and to fight wars to control the oil that's already there. It's temporary, at best, and will serve only to enrich them at our expense.

[DenverDem]

2. Check here.

<http://www.peakoil.net/>

[IrateCitizen]

5. In a nutshell, it's demand for oil outpacing oil supply

As more developing economies continue to grow along the lines of a Western model, their energy needs will skyrocket (case-in-point: China). This would all be fine if the oil supplies around the world were able to keep pace, but they are not. Peak oil is the term used to describe the moment at which supply is just able to keep up with demand. The time after that moment is characterized by demand outstripping global supply.

This event is extremely significant, because it likely heralds the ushering-in of a time in which nations will begin to fight for control over declining resources. Oil is instrumental in not only raw energy, but also in activities ranging from the production of plastics to modern agriculture. Of course, the impact of this event could be lessened by a widespread committment to non-carbon based forms of energy, but the will just doesn't seem to really be there yet.

[Tsiyu]

8. The problem we have with this admin

is that even their plans for Hydrogen fuel depend on oil. They are nucking futs about oil revenues, even if that money tree is gonna stop shaking soon. "It's the same old Repuke Refrain: "Get it til it's gone; Don't worry bout no future."

[gandalf]

9. Have a look at these DU threads

Is peak oil for real, or not? Give me answers, especially if it is NOT.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1802462

ITT, I will answer questions about Peak Oil.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1773048

I think I'm going to be sick (Peak Oil)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1175974

[UpsideDownFlag]

10. thank you much. nt

[BlueEyedSon]

11. Some more links for you

http://doomsdayreport.com/links.html

[Indiana_Dem]

14. Doomsday Report is a good one, too.

I would recommend it.

[Indiana_Dem]

12. if you haven't already read this, go here:

(this is a good but frightening intro)

www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net

I have TONS of links, too. Just ask for more but this is the one I was directed to first and it blew me away this past February.

[UpsideDownFlag]

13. thanks to everyone that gave links on this thread.

now i have a new issue to worry about, lol.

[BlueEyedSon]

16. It's not "new" (Hubbert was forecasting this in the 70's)

and it is the main reason Bushco have us in Iraq building 14 permanent bases.

[rustydad]

18. Actually

Hubbert predicted in the 1950s that the Continental USA would peak in the earily 1970s and it did in 1973. He also used the same math to predict that the world would peak earily in this century. We may be at peak now or soon. World Peak is different than a countries peak because oil is traded on the world market. As long as the world could extract more than the world demand countries beyond peak only had to pay the extra cost of shipping in oil, no big deal. But when world demand is greater than world supply then TSHTF. The cost will rise until the demand is brought into balance with supply. Those who can pay will pay, those who are priced out, are priced out.

This is called demand distruction. It can happen do to pure economics or because a country is destroyed by war or disease or other means. Our presence in Iraq does not mean we will harvest their oil and give it to gas guzzeling North Americans on the cheap. Far from that, oil companies never discount to anyone. What Araq does do for the bush boys is provide a military base from which we hope to influence the politics of the ME and prevent any disruptin of oil exports. And by controlling OPEC we can embargo any country that does not do our bidding. Think foriegn exchange. The USA needs the world to 'loan' us 2 billion +/- a day so we can have our toys and build our military. Most of this comes from Japan and China. Can they afford to do this forever? Or can they afford not to? Controlling the oil of the ME is to hold a huge hammer over the rest of the world, or so think Chenney and company. Bob

[BlueEyedSon]

19. Thx RD

[Beam Me Up]

17. Everyone should see the new documentary:" The End of Suburbia"

I own a copy and I recommend everyone get a copy and SHARE THIS INFORMATION. This may be the most important eye-opener anyone VOTING will ever see. Although the documentary is not overtly political, it DOES mention PNAC and their "war without end in our lifetime" scenario.

Links:

The Movie Website
http://www.endofsuburbia.com/

Preview Clips
http://endofsuburbia.com/previews.htm

More information on oil depletion and its implications
http://www.postcarbon.org

Learning to live in a low energy  world
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com

Michael Ruppert’s Speech to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/PDF/Commonwealth.pdf