Pumping the Petrol thing
We all know with fossil fuels that if global production hasn't peaked it will do so shortly. Be very wary of so called reports that claim there are vast reserves enough to energise our world for hundreds of years more. Only a fool thinks fossil fuel has a future. It always pays to verify sources when data rolls off people's tongues like golden syrup. There is a limit to oil, gas and coal and when they peak, if it hasn't already in a number of countries, demand will outpace supply. The cost of production will rise and people will hurt at the bowser and their lifestyles will be affected, that's a given. Except for the player that moves post haste on to the new game in the early stages. Of course the player needs to be smart, and I expect competition to be rough. But there is no doubt the writing is plainly visible for all to see. Renewable energy is going to succeed with or without stimulation from the government. The masses just won't be able to afford living on extortionate oil.
Prices are going to escalate according to supply and demand economics. Its doesn't get any simpler than that. As we read daily, our dependency on fossil fuels is causing the planet all sorts of grief from geopolitical wars, global warming, and pollution down to local environmental suicide, introducing toxic chemicals into our water systems.
There is no contest, governments are heavily lobbied by the undisputed polluters like big Coal, Oil and Gas companies. Let's face it the average grassroots environmental advocate is up against these formidable money machines. Trying to get ear with politicians is the proverbial uphill battle. Reform looks bleak. Despite all the grinding and head banging nothing really changes. It feels like being stuck in one hell of a rasping gear going nowhere.
One of the conundrums resides in revenue income governments need to stave their countries woes. Without significant tax revenues derived at the pumps some countries would find themselves in predicament of collapse. Possible a number of oil dependent countries would be heading toward failed statehood. We have already witnessed Western governments scrambling to stem likely domino repercussions from states on the brink of insolvency. Because we live in a global village, irregardless of borders, ones business is inescapably moored to everyone's business.
Figure Japan. The recent tsunami decimated the nuclear plants and oil reserves. No oil no transport, no transport no stores full of food and supplies, no food and water, people die. Japan, being one of the richest countries in the world is facing catastrophe on a scale beyond appreciation of the word. Now it would be foolish to blame oil for this disaster, but it doesn't take much effort to connect the dots. Oil is badly needed because the infrastructure in Japan relies on it, yet, it is also that substantial reliance which makes it such a concern. Without a more sustainable alternative the world looks very dark.
Sounds like we are doomed, doesn't it? Without consensus and practical plans available this quagmire will only get worse.
Well what if there was such plans, renewable efficient energy plans that could reduce our carbon output and remove our dependency on hazardous fossil fuels? What if those plans were fully costed and engineered, proven with present technologies, ready to go today? What if the costs were guaranteed to be less than the cost of doing nothing? Allowing the same old system to operate uncontested isn't smart. What if that costs were within budget? Would you be interested? Would you want to consider it? Would it at least be worth a look?
Surely. any reasonable person would say yes.
Be assured there are such plans out there. Unfortunately, hopeful news of viable alternatives doesn't get noticed without publicity, usually spelt as m-o-n-e-y. Let's show money has a thing to learn about people power. In the next bog instalment I am going to posit a local Australian initiative called Beyond Zero Emissions.
We need to demand that this debate goes front and centre in the community, because seriously, whether we like it or not, we can't survive being servile to ignorance and corporations that are more committed to profit than human beings.
