(How can we already be) looking at the end of the age of oil and abundant

[4dsc]

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/9/21/233944/840

As a petroleum industry analyst who gave up material security for a career as an activist against petroleum industry expansion, I've developed a unique understanding of the global peak in oil extraction. Questioning society's energy needs has always been my tendency. But I gained further understanding of our culture by giving up affluence and many conveniences. This was an attempt to get closer to nature and live by my wits with the support of activists and my growing community of friends far and wide.

In 2004 I hit the road (the rails, usually) to spread the word about the plastic plague, petrocollapse, and the positive future that culture change will present. It was fitting that the nonprofit organization I founded in 1988, Fossil Fuels Policy Action, eventually became known as Culture Change. I was delighted to learn last year that geologist M. King Hubbert, who discovered peak oil, identified the fact that we do not have an energy crisis but a culture crisis:

Our culture is built on growth and that phase of human history is almost over and we are not prepared for it. Our biggest problem is not the end of our resources. That will be gradual. Our biggest problem is a cultural problem. We don't know how to cope with it.

[vickitulsa]

1. Nailed it. I've been saying this for quite some time.

Ceaselessly pushing for "growth" above and beyond all other goals is sheer folly, IMO. And cultural habits and the resistance to changes of direction represent very serious obstacles to our successful adaptation to ensure a survivable future for everyone.

The obvious limits and inherent conflicts between peoples and nations that are built into shortsighted growth and expansion policies, and the futility and madness of forgetting how overpopulation affects every single thing that happens on our planet really concern me a lot.

I sometimes joke to my friends and family that at my age I've "become an expert in procrastination," but that comment is only partly humorous. The way human beings as a whole tend to think they can simply put off thinking and worrying about the future and the impact of our present policies and actions on that future is not funny at all.

There really are "tipping points" involved in such things as global warming and the depletion/poisoning of our seas and land and skies; and if everyone puts off facing these issues for TOO long, there will not be an option remaining whereby we can turn back the clock or fix the mess short of allowing an unthinkable collapse of all present cultures to "fix" the problems in a cataclysmic way....

Just my opinion, of course. But those who are so quick to criticize and point fingers at "Chickens Little" could be making the whole situation even worse by laughing out of court the very people whose guidance and leadership they need if we are to save this precious blue marble and all the living things on it. Chicken Little, in this respect, is more like the canary in the mines than an overreacting and panicky "silly bird." :)

When a great many of the birds of all kinds are starting to drop out of the sky or leave their customary regions for other parts of the world they never used to migrate to, I think all of us should pay closer attention to what the plants and animals are telling us.

I have a long history of working in the oil and gas industry, too -- not necessarily by choice but by default for the region I've lived in most of my life. My "unique perspective" doesn't make me an expert, but it does help inform me about just where all the confusing talk of "peak oil" and other theories and policies could be headed. And so far, the overall picture is NOT too encouraging....