Now that peak oil has come and gone, and brought with it the end of long-term economic growth, it is time for individuals to start acquiring skills they will need to mitigate for a contracting economy. A vast majority of cultural anthropologists and energy experts agree that a considerably smaller industrial economy cannot support 300 million Americans, much less the rest of the industrial world’s citizens.
are no comprehensive substitutes for crude oil, and we're out of time to develop alternatives. American politicians made important decisions about energy policy at two critical junctures in American history: (1) shortly after WWII, when they created the interstate highway system and the suburbs to build a way of life that had no future because it relied completely on ready supplies of a finite resource, and (2) in 1980, when the American populace dismissed conservation at irrelevant.
Although no “cavalry” from the government or private sector will save the industrial age, it is clear that all people can take joy in a purpose-filled, intimate life. Although the end of the industrial age represents a significant personal challenge, the cessation of long-term economic growth is beneficial to the world's non-human species and non-industrial cultures. In fact, economic growth is tightly linked to extinction rates. Perhaps most importantly from the perspective of humanity, the inability to consume fossil fuels will slow the warming of Earth, perhaps in time to prevent extinction of Homo sapiens.
Had the industrialized countries of the world started the project of reducing consumption of fossil fuels least 30 years ago, there might be time to continue the age of industry. At this late juncture, however, sustaining the industrial economy poses a daunting and probably overwhelming challenge. Roscoe Bartlett, who co-chairs the Peak Oil Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, says the task is analogous to putting a man on the moon. Lawyer and peak-oil expert Matt Savinar likens the endeavor to placing a large population on Pluto, instead.
Either way, the ultra-consumptive American way of life is nearing its end. It will bring with it the end of grocery at the grocery stores and water coming out the taps, as well as fossil fuels for heating and cooling.
________
If you like this article, please subscribe to receive email notification of future articles by this writer: click the blue "Subscribe" button above, between the title and text.
Comments