Peak Oil - Awareness

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Peak Oil

My Awareness

Action History

Goals for 2006

Value Systems

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My interest in peak oil and oil depletion arose during the middle of August in 2005 when I noticed that prices for regular gasoline had reached $2.79 per gallon.

I thought that this would be difficult to pay for some people; particularly lower income, working class, and fixed income individuals. I started thinking about how higher gasoline prices affected people and changed their behaviors. Spending a higher percentage of their money on gasoline leaves a lower percentage for entertainment and disposable items. Higher gasoline prices also cause some people to be unable to afford a long drive to work. As I thought longer, I began to recognize more and more of the wide-reaching economic impacts of gasoline price increases.

I began researching the gasoline price increases. At some point, I linked to an article on the Hubbert peak theory. After reading it carefully, I realized that this was an issue much more significant than I had imagined. I never really thought much about oil supplies or demand. The concept that "supply will reach a maximum" seems to be common sense.  I was surprised to realize the scope of the impact of peak oil production.  I always thought that running out of oil was the problem.

My research and action are continuing.  I am adjusting my thinking to a future where oil (and thus energy) is much more costly and difficult to get. I'm thinking and writing about what I can do personally to smoothly transition to a time when only renewable energy sources are available. I am concerned that this could be a very rough transition for many people. The more I learn, the more I recognize that in certain countries and regions, this transition is already happening, or just about to happen.

 


Email: aaronwissner@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2005-2008 Aaron Wissner