An interesting article and review; I too have spent some time researching and thinking about the implications of peak oil, climate change and the manner in which the population of the world is expanding beyond what I understand of the world's capacity to sustain us.

While Malthus may be criticised for the innacuracies and the under-lying ideology of his predictions, we need to recognise that populations expand exponentially while food production can only ever expand arithmetically.

Therein lies the problem; technology has helped us to produce more food, but even with the best technology there is no getting away from the fact that there are more mouths to feed every day. Second, despite the best of intentions, technology is never without unintended consequences. On balance, while research and technology can do wonderful things in increasing food production, there are more consequences, both realised and unintended, related to issues such as dependence on oil and oil derivatives, energy expenditure, and the misuse of scarce water resources, as examples.

Still, even if we all disappear as a species, the really successful species will continue to thrive and not notice our passing - the insects (especially cockroaches and little black ants). Probably all that will be left to show our passing will be unmatching lids and bases of Tupperware containers.

Humans are wonderful creatures, when there is REAL NEED, we will develop a REAL solution. There are even 2 bit solutions out there today, and plenty that are under wraps.

Find something better to do than worry about unknowns, and things out of your scope of control.

Peak Oil and the changes in our society are real issues involving real people and real solutions. It is in everyone’s interest to get the facts. In relying on the government or big business to solve all our issues and the world going on as before just doesn't make sense. We all have the rights and responsibility to do what is best for ourselves and children. By not discussing this issue does not make it go away or make things right. The sooner we make changes the sooner the transition will be and smother it will be.

People have survived without oil, cars, electricity before and many are happily doing so now. The human race will not end tomorrow with the peak of oil production. In the end it is up to you to do your bit to make a change, let some one else know about peak oil and they make a change to there life style and soon the more people making changes the better it will be.

The old saying is knowledge is power. Lets get the knowledge out so the real power of the people can get things done. We must lead so our politicians can follow. The future is what we as a community, nation make of it.

My physics is a little rusty to say the least but I confess bewilderment at, Hydrogen is an energy carrier not source. Surely the same applies to oil perhaps even electricity. The energy comes from the sun or Uranium is used to split H2O or other source and returns
after use of the energy to H2O. Oil admittedly is dirtier and more complex source, but basically plants trapped energy which was compressed to give oil, tapped and burnt again releasing carbon (and other). Probably I am wrong until quite recently I had little interest in physics except in using its principles largely taken as wrote, the way it was taught.
As for nuclear yes indeed there is money to be made our current account to settle and cargo cult offering. Some 2900 nuclear plants producing each year some 2000 tonnes of highly radioactive waste. (more low level) Each milligram is as dangerous as the venom of a red back spider the quantity of which is small, a milligram? Yet the industry goes out of its way to say how small the waste is! So far no solution for disposal of waste.
It will be some ten to twenty five years before these can be built and cost 2900 times several million to more $ each, decommissioning cost is built into electricity charges it ia said. This satisfies current ELECTRITY needs negating some 35% of GHG. Still 65% to go largely transport oh yes down time Hydrogen production the hydrogen car which exists. Same 35% reduction achieved by energy efficiency and renewable sources and provided there is a grid supplying base energy into which each dwelling, factory the no sun no wind times can be met. What supplies the base load? Clean Coal, nuclear, hot rock or waves.
A tangent and I admit I do not like Nuclear, centralised control, an unsolved threat which the precautionary principle would say if another solution is possible use it. But money and profit will be spread more labour needed quite counter to economic rationalism and to democracy, (be careful of definition used!)

I admire your faith, realist, but the idea that solutions will just "happen" is an abrogation of the responsibility we all share for both the problems and any solutions we might come up with.

Kunstler is right on the mark.

Concerns about peak oil are absolutely real.

This business is of such magnitude that it should be an overarching concern to our politicians, business people and whole of society right now.

How obvious is it that oil prices are on a one-way trend, that will see fuel become unaffordable in the very near future, and start to severely affect food production and supply, employment, inflation and the core nature of society? We are hearing prices of $3/litre being seriously mooted for later this year.

There has never been a more urgent time in Australia’s history to act in our self-preservation. The ominous nature of the peak oil scenario is every bit as threatening as Japanese invasion and conquer in WWII. Left unhindered, it has every likelihood of resulting in such enormous civil strife, breakdown of law, dispossession of the masses at the hands of a small portion of physically powerful people, and massive death rates, as the Second World War scenario did if it had eventuated.

It presents one of the most amazing political opportunities, and imperatives. If the reality of the peak oil future was presented as the basis of a new party (or an existing one [att: Kevin Rudd]) along with very firm policies on how best to deal with it, then that party would surely stand every chance of winning power at the next election.

There is a political black hole. And our national future is being sucked right into it.