For those who asked me offline: "Peak Oil" refers to the time when total petroleum production cannot increase any more. A growing body of evidence suggests that that time is about now. We may be in a plateau period that will be followed by a persistent decline in global oil production.
There doesn't appear to be any combination of known alternative energy sources that can compensate for a declining petroleum supply, so our economic system will be forced to change profoundly. There will likely be increased exploitation of wood, coal, and peat for fuel. More land will be pressed into agriculture because mechanized ag systems will be unable to get enough fuel, there will be more conflicts over remaining energy resources, and there could be a long-term human population reduction. I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface, but even just with these changes, I'm sure any ecologist could imagine a host of ecological consequences. Joe > > Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:12:38 -0500 > From: Zachary Wilson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: ECOLOG-L Digest - 23 Oct 2007 to 24 Oct > 2007 (#2007-289) > > Aren't "overpopulation" and human contributions to > climate change both > related to peak oil? Peak oil is the end of cheap, > easy-to-get oil (i.e. the > oil that gives us fuel and fertilizer to feed 7 > billion) and declining > production. Overpopulation and our contribution to > climate change are the > result of cheap, easy-to-get oil. Doesn't that mean > peak oil is the > beginning of the end of overpopulation and > human-induced climate change? Is > that an oversimplification? > > - zac wilson > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
