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Our economy is totally based on the consumption of oil and its cousins. Motor vehicle fuel, electricity, plastic, etc... The easily available supply of oil and natural gas has been decreasing since the early 70s. Offshore drilling and 'fracking' of natural gas have become more commonplace, and controversial. High quality coal is more expensive to mine because the more accessible seams have been played out.
As oil, natural gas and coal become more scarce, the cost of everything will skyrocket. Other forms of energy cannot supplant the energy required for heavy manufacturing.
Our entire agricultural production is reliant on oil. Not just to power or make the machinery, but in the creation of fertilizer and other chemicals. Vast areas of the west provide food for the rest of the country, and the world. Many of those areas would be totally arid, were it not for the gasoline powered pumps spreading the water across the fields.
I am not making this up! Check out 'The Long Emergency" by James Howard Kunstler.
Ted
Ted
Ted, we have been apparently at "peak oil" since 1965, also the "ice age" was scheduled for the 1980s and the "Population Bomb" was going to starve us to death by 2010.
There is no shortages of oil, coal or gas, Mr. Kunstler isn't current with the news. The sky is not falling, yet.
Oh,by the way Mr.Kunstler is a writer and social critic, attended New York State at Brockport, where he majored in theater.
Last edited by MACMC; 07/08/2012 9:55 PM.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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