Energy Policy

Review: Future Scenarios by David Holmgren

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This new book by the co-originator of permaculture offers fascinating and fertile challenges for engaging Peak Oil and climate change. It confronts us with the question that will not die: Will our journey to a post-petroleum world be a transition or a trauma? The longer we wait to make the profoundly radical choices necessary at this juncture of history, the greater the certainty that choices we would not prefer will be made for us.

The peak oil crisis: government in the transition

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Over the next 20 years we are almost certain to witness major changes in the functions performed by various levels of government and whether we like it or not, the share of our resources going to pay for these functions is going to increase – i.e. higher taxes. Although it is not yet generally recognized, this great transition has already begun.

Laying down tools

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I am a directional driller, one of those fellows who steers a drill bit into petroleum targets thousands of feet beneath the surface of the earth. … Regardless of how we as individuals in the oil and gas industry cope with this downturn, all of us, as well as our society, will in time face the consequences of having lost this rig and the hundreds more now lying in the grass. I believe that within 2 to 4 years we will be facing a serious shortage of natural gas and the roughnecks will be asked to “come back, please!” Some will walk away and never look back. As for me, I hope that finally the United States is serious about alternative energy, because our very survival is at stake.