Peak Oil

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Peak Oil refers to the discovery of oil, and how the discoveries of standard oil have started to decline around the world since 1960. Other types of petroleum (shale oil, coal-to-oil, tar sands etc) are more carbon intensive and worse for Climate Change.

Many estimates (eg. Wiki, former Chair of Australian Coal Association - Ian Dunlop, Association for the Study of Peak Oil - ASPO, and geophysicist Hubbert) give us 20-30 years before oil becomes unaffordable, especially with rocketing demand (eg. India's AUS$3,000 Tata Nano 2 cylinder car, ready for export soon - Wiki).

We rely on oil for transport, heating, lubricating machinery, medicines,  plastics (including bags), paint, building materials, electric cable insulation etc. It will be difficult to replace, and it is a finite resource.

Transition Newcastle would like to coordinate ways that our local community can conserve this precious resource, or find alternatives for using it, and is requesting input into building a local Energy Descent Plan. 

Groups or individuals may wish to add a comment (Just register first) about how we can conserve oil eg. better town planning to encourage working near home; living near public transport; higher density living; reducing reliance on oil-based appliances; employing renewable energy; subscribing to a local organic farmer for fruit and vegetables; using non-oil-based materials.

Please supply some details of what you would like to see and how it would work.

Comments

Great talk on Peak from World Expert

Submitted by jshiel on November 5, 2010 - 1:02pm.

On Tuesday 9 November 2010, The Tom Farrell Institute has invited Professor Kjell Aleklett from Uppsala University Sweden, and head of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO) to  give a talk on "Peak Oil and the Global Wellbeing Equation":

from 6-7pm

in CT202 on the Callaghan Campus of the University of Newcastle.

Enquiries 4921-5700 or Director's Assistant Email:  Belinda.Marks@newcastle.edu.au

7:30 report on oil

Submitted by Graeme on August 14, 2010 - 1:50am.

There was an story about oil on the 7:30 report on Monday 9 August 2010. According to their intro "It’s the lifeblood of the modern economy, but over the next five years Australia’s oil import bill is expected to almost double from $16 billion a year to $30. It’s an issue that will affect every business and household in the country, but it’s had precious little mention in the current election campaign."

The video and transcript are available at http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s2978097.htm.