An excellent reminder of reality that will have the usual suspects apoplectic.

In today's world we have the diesel tree and native wisteria that also produces a natural ready to use biodiesel. Rubber trees also produce a product that can be used to produce a crude oil alternative as recycled waste tyres. Nuclear energy can be deployed to convert seawater into all manner of hydrocarbons. Some algae are up to 60% oil. We have bituminous coal that can be used to produce asphalt.
Alan B.

Crude oil isn't going away any time soon? That's not because we do not have alternatives, but because the oil barons/Putin and co have corrupt pollies in their pocket.

Even planes can be powered by batteries or alternative biodiesel. Ditto all manner of transport.

The diesel tree is a close cousin of the rubber tree. And some blue green algae are up to 60 ready to use as is, biodiesel! And one variety even serves as food post crush extraction.

Crude oil is just Algae that was laid down millions of years ago and metamorphized by pressure and extreme compression.

No need to wait millions of years as growing algae is child's play and uses less than 2% of the water required for broad scale irrigation. And a possible alternative crop for drought impacted farmers. Ditto drought, salt and frost tolerant, native wisteria.

The oil companies have priced themselves out of the marketplace and new production methods have put hydrogen back on the table as a viable alternative as Compressed gas.

It does not have the range of CNG, or biogas, but a bigger tank solves that. The exhaust product is pure water vapour, that makes hydrogen endlessly available as a carbon free alternative.

We need to stop allowing the fossil fuel barons deciding our energy policy and with it our economic wellbeing.

If we just roll over and, par for the course, beg for a tummy rub, we could face another Great Depression.

And given the way the current government wastes money, we will not be able to use money reserves to offset the coming energy derived economic downturn and bankruptcies all over the joint!

A recent survey showed 61% of Australians are now in favour of nuclear power and have stopped listening to the fearmongering Greens and their BS!

The author of this piece should be taken outside and shot for the economic harm with real deadly consequences, he/she would force on Australians and citizens of the world.
Alan B.

60 oil should read as 60% oil! Getting some post posting, unwanted, unhelpful editing!
Alan.

As Royal Dutch Shell as it was then announced that it was planning to
leave the oil industry the reason t gave was that the cost of finding
new oil filds and then developing them was too expensive.
Royal Dutch Shell was reconstructed into Shell Ltd on the UK exchange.
All national Shell companies have been merged into Shell Ltd.
Recently Shell sold all its UK and German retail business to Octopus Ltd.
BP, now Beyond Petroleum has made similar noises.
The motor manufacturers took notice and a few years later announced
electric cars were coming.
Crude oil eventually will not be burnt to provide energy.
It will however take a long time.