On Sep 8, 3:10 pm, Doesn't Frequently Mop
<deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote:
> Make credence recognised that on Fri, 7 Sep 2007 22:55:52 +0100,
> "William Black"  has scripted:
> >"Doesn't Frequently Mop" <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote in
> >messagenews:7vd3e3dakoteu71bkp6dlra32anqqvia7e@4ax.com...
>
> >>>In the end there's always a substitute for just about everything.
>
> >>>You can runs cars,  and just about everything else, on methane,  hydrogen
> >>>or
> >>>alcohol.
>
> >> None of which have the properties of petrol, or petroleum-base
> >> comparatives, sorry.
>
> >So what?
>
> >They'll make it work.
>
> >My money is on human ingenuity.
>
> That would be the 'hope' strategy then. OK, I'll go with that given
> there's not much else on offer.


Although I'm not completely persuaded of the peak oil theory, I think
it's definitely reasonable to prepare for oil scarcity just in case
rather than expect unseen technologies to bail us out.

If we expect oil to be much scarcer in the future, and take real steps
to adjust to that reality, and then vast new oil reservoirs are found
or new alternative energy sources which can largely replace fossil
fuels are developed, at most we would spend a few percent of our GNP,
and would have a cleaner environment as a result.

By contrast, the price of doing nothing and being wrong while the oil
runs out could be the collapse of civilization as we know it, or a
global war over the oil that remains.

In the short run, take significant steps to cut demand, step up
research and development, and bring all alternatives on board as much
as possible.  For example, stop building far-flung suburbs, and design
cities around mass transit so that much of the population wouldn't
need a car.  Have real rules on fuel efficiency to stop wasteful large
cars, and on houses and buildings to make them energy efficient.  Have
freight rail largely replace trucking.  And use wind, solar, and yes,
nuclear, as much as possible.  People's diets should adjust to less
meat and processed foods and more fresh fruits and vegetables.