Peak Oil -- And What Do We Do Now?

Debate on "Peak Oil" and choosing a new Global Paradigm

This group's purpose is to debate the “peak oil” phenomenon and its inevitable aftermath, and how we can help shape a post -petroleum future. This is a global phenomenon and this is a global group. Peak oil is the point in time at which the maximum global petroleum production rate is reached. After this point in time, the rate of production begins a termi ...learn more

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Created: Sep 25, 2007

Updated: Nov 27, 2009

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Welcome all Peak Oil participants.

Today's NYMEX on Light Sweet Crude USD $40.69
Previously Posted Price USD $44.85

Oil prices continue to be affected by the financial crisis, reflecting the reduced economic activity of recession. At these prices, and with credit so tight, expansion dries up. Does this delay or hasten the peak when oil flow from new fields fails to match depleted flow from old? Read Boiler Room discussion posting by Richard Heinberg. Meanwhile, fundamental issues are lost amidst the noise of the financial crisis.
Erratic swings in oil price reflect the chaos in all financial markets. Keep focused on the supply and demand issues which fundamentally remain unchanged. Can Americans learn this lesson from such price swings in the past, or will reduced prices signal a return to thoughtless guzzling which will only make the crash, when it comes, that much more traumatic?

Massive UN plans call for an "energy revolution" to reduce greenhoue emissions by 1/2 by 2050, including building 1,400 nuclear power plants. Investments banks are targeting farming for future profits. The movement needs to oppose these huge powers with grassroots, local, nature-loving solutions instead. If ever Small Is Beautiful was needed, it's now! The world is beginning to fumble for solutions as oil peaks. Be there with honest, earth-loving alternatives.

21 April 2008 The New York Times prints P-word: See Paul Krugman's column of this date.

8 April 2008 OK, speculation and credit crisis fluctuations aside, the overall trajectory of oil prices would still seem to be a matter of supply & demand.

20 March 2008--Speculation seems to be responsible for recent fluctuations of oil prices as investors rushed into commodities like oil as stocks plummeted, and then rushed back as commodities suddenly dropped, too. "Speculation is playing havoc with prices for products that are absolute necessities for consumers across the world (NY Times)." What do we do now? Reject the short-term view and such attempts to make a quick buck trading securities, in favor of developing the real-world relationships and activities that we will need in order to feed ourselves and our neighbors.

Another reason has been offered for the huge rapid increase we are seeing: the ripple effect of the home mortgage crisis in the USA. So greed and lack of regulation or government oversight in the USA helps cause a global crisis. And another commodity that has risen simultaneously is GOLD--probably among the same investors. None of that helps me--how about you?
More immediate reasons for the increase obviously go beyond the real phenomenon of Peak Oil, such as speculation by investors about Peak Oil, weakening USA dollar, weakening USA economy, OPEC refusing to increase production levels, refineries switching to Spring/Summer production formulas. All reinforce the question "What Do We Do Now?"
Projections are that average gasoline prices in the USA will be $4.00/gal this Summer--which is lower than in many parts of the world due to subsidies paid by the USA federal government to Big Oil.
23 Feb 2008--Overnight a few days ago, gasoline went up US$0.23 where I live, in reflex response to the per barrel futures price, and the record it set. The analysts say it is because the Arab states mentioned production cutbacks. Such mention may not be called deliberate, but the havoc it causes the "junkies"--that would be us, the addicts/consumers--is severe.
6 Feb 2008--The falling petroleum price we have seen in the past few days seems to reflect the seasonal nature of the futures market, since Spring is yet to come and Winter heating oil has been accounted for. We will probably see rising prices in a month or so with the switch to oil for transportation, and even higher due to requirements for low-sulfur Diesel, and gasoline for areas of the USA which have air pollution problems. All this suggests a certain "ebb and flow" in price despite the steadily rising demand and the inevitable exhaustion of reserves.
The "World Without Oil" "Alternate Reality Game" and site are very interesting-- I wish I had seen this when the game was in progress--it would have been neat!
James Lovelock and James Kunstler each contribute much to the overall topic including Peak Oil and comments/reviews on them are in "The Boiler Room".
Currently, we also have some other good discussions going on.
There was a new news article posted in the Resources.
And we have begun our first group project - defining Peak Oil as a concept. It is a wikipage and we hope to have everyone edit the document from which we can all benefit.
Also, we have started a discussion about the possible financial opportunities that Peak Oil is creating.
In this two-part series, Professor Heinberg considers the profound implications peak oil has for modern society and the global economy.

You gotta see this -

Dr James R. Schlesinger, former US Energy Secretary

More pressure on the forests

Sounds like a lie to me

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Solarpowervillage Tamera

Remarkable solution to peakoil : http://www.solarpowervillage.info/ - a replicable living model for 50 people without using big industry, PV - but with using the sun, hot oil and stirlingmachine, ...more

edited by bowo 29 days ago

Transportation and Demand Side Mgmt. Planning

In response to a query about the role of electric vehicles. I answered as follows:With respect to electric vehicles, my thoughts are that they may be a small part of a longer term solution and probabl ...more

edited by Arntech 11 months ago

We are now in the planning stages of a significant new cr...

We are now in the planning stages of a significant new creation.Welcome. Welcome. I am glad you all could make it.This is to be the human scale 2,000 acre Sustainable EcoVillageCommunity where everybo ...more

added by temo about 1 year ago

World Without Oil... Still Playing, still going strong!

South by Southwest 2008 Best Activist Award, Austin TX. World Without Oil (WWO).... Still Playing An alternate reality game (ARG) created to call attention to, spark dialogue about, plan for and en ...more

added by bowo about 1 year ago

Boiler Room and Sunlight Discussions: 4 of 4 / 14
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Powerful Alternate Energy Plan

" Hello, I am initiating a campaign for the creation of "Energy Independence US Treasury Savings Bonds" I have some web pages for this, please visit them and become part of the effort at your discret" ...more

MichaelKe... commented 10 months ago

Newsvine discussion on growth issues after the collapse

"It looks like this forum lost any kind of public activity. Any ideas why this is the case? "

energynet commented 11 months ago

Richard Heinberg: Rear-view mirror?

"Shocking figure! Thanks for posting this Dana."

bowo commented about 1 year ago

community awareness

"Our local county fails to respond with decisive leadership, but to do them justice, they don't really have the reach or the resources. We are now taking our consciousness-raising project to the Sate " ...more

DanaW commented about 1 year ago

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The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis - Lynn White,...

The Historical Roots of our Ecologic Crisis Lynn Townsend White, Jr. A conversation with Aldous Huxley not infrequently put one at the receiving end of an unforgettable monologue. About a year before ...more

Other

edited by boatsie 3 days ago

Transition Towns Wiki

Please go here for more info on Transition Town's WiserEarth Network listing--> Transition Network Don't forget to add it to your network and leave a comment+rating. What is a Transition Town (o ...more

Website

edited by hkopczynski 2 months ago

Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit

While drought, pollution, and desertification are intensifying around the world, corporations are aggressively converting free-flowing surface and ancient subsurface water into bottled profits. The w ...more

Book

edited by VerenaWFC 3 months ago

"RANT" Blogger Dashboard

"RANT" Blogger Dashboard, open for use by all WiserEarth members. ...more

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edited by EMD39920 4 months ago

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Peak Oil -- And What Do We Do Now?

Debate on "Peak Oil" and choosing a new Global Paradigm

GROUP DETAILS

Bulletin Board

Welcome all Peak Oil participants.

You gotta see this -

Upcoming Events 0 / 0
Done Show items

Projects and Posts: 4 of 4 / 9
Done Show items

Solarpowervillage Tamera

Transportation and Demand Side Mgmt. Planning

We are now in the planning stages of a significant new cr...

World Without Oil... Still Playing, still going strong!

Boiler Room and Sunlight Discussions: 4 of 4 / 14
Done Show items

Powerful Alternate Energy Plan

Newsvine discussion on growth issues after the collapse

Richard Heinberg: Rear-view mirror?

community awareness

Search for:

WE Resources: 4 of 4 / 31
Done Show items

The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis - Lynn White,...

Transition Towns Wiki

Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit

"RANT" Blogger Dashboard

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The Peakers 30 / 100
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Related Groups 3 / 5
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WiserCopenhagen

WiserEarth Group Support

Resource Wars

Peak Oil -- And What Do We Do Now?

Debate on "Peak Oil" and choosing a new Global Paradigm

GROUP DETAILS

Bulletin Board

Welcome all Peak Oil participants.

You gotta see this -

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