Peak Oil Dynamics and the Meaning for You

This talk will explore the implications of the limits on the earth's supply of oil - particularly the amount that is available to us on a daily basis, which can no longer grow exponentially or even be maintained at current levels forever. (It recognizes that we will use oil a long time to come but in falling quantity and high cost.) The rubric of "Peak Oil" refers to a moment at which oil supplies permanently top out at the "peak" of a bell-shaped curve of production but the concepts to be presented are equally applicable to our present moment in which demand is precariously balanced with difficulty to increase supply and prices are subject to volatile spikes up and down.  The talk concludes with implication for the nation and for us at a personal level.

No discussion of ending coal pollution or conserving forests can be properly understood without reference to the dangers of global warming.  Likewise, not discussion of higher mileage cars, mass transit and intercity rail can be seriously pursued without understanding the forces which may bring us an oil supply crisis as early as this decade.  Even those inclined to optimism about the capacity of our technology and economy to solve all problems can benefit from contemplating the dynamics of world oil supply and how to mitigate any shortfalls.