Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
…sky-high gas prices are rippling through the Seattle economy. Not everyone is getting pushed to the brink — some drivers are just canceling vacations or taking the bus. But those with low-wage jobs or little financial cushion can face dramatic lifestyle changes, especially if they have no choice but to drive to or for their jobs.
Well before crude hits $100 a barrel, retail prices would soar, and stalled consumer spending will likely weigh down the economy (Special report on $100/barrel oil)
Lifestyle changes — including how we drive, where we shop and how we invest — can ease the squeeze as the world’s oil supply shrinks
Striking in its omission is debate about the largest creations of our species: cities. Could it be the most basic solution is redesigning them for people instead of cars? Presto, both [global warming and peak oil] solved in the same stroke and in a more fundamental way than by just trying to tune up the same old infrastructure, always trying to get a little more juice out of the planet, a little more sprawl-inducing mileage out of our cars.
We are all on this Petroleum Tour in most ways, every day of our lives. We are oblivious that our daily support system of petroleum props up our lifestyles and survival — or we pretend otherwise.
[Interview with President Bush covers gas prices, Saudi pumping capacity and the future of hydrocarbons] “…we’re just going to have to change our habits. And that’s one of the reasons why I funded the hydrogen-powered automobile initiative, fully recognizing that, you know, with the decade we’re going to have to think about how to drive different — you know, power, power our automobiles. It’s a — the hydrocarbon society will still be with us, but it can’t be with us to the extent it is today.”
Interview with New York Times columnist and “geo-green” advocate Thomas Friedman
Special issue on Peak Oil. Some articles are online now, others will be put online later.
Often overlooked, rubber could as easily bring the economy to a halt as oil could.
Thackara is interested in more than analyzing efforts and predicting trends. He wants design to help create a better future. But many trends and opportunities to build what’s necessary for that future converge in the local.
Between them, the Christian and neocon right, the enviro-left, and the mullahs of the Middle East may finally achieve what a young Thatcherite once dreamt of. The geo-neocon-green movement may have arrived. Just in time.
When you combine the seven deadly sins with high technology, you get some really serious problems. You get turbo-sins. It’s dreadful to imagine what goeth after turbo-pride.
