SubscribeFrom RollingStone magazine, March 2005:
These are daunting and even dreadful prospects. The Long Emergency is going
to be a tremendous trauma for the human race. We will not believe that this
is happening to us, that 200 years of modernity can be brought to its knees
by a world-wide power shortage. The survivors will have to cultivate a
religion of hope — that is, a deep and comprehensive belief that humanity
is worth carrying on. If there is any positive side to stark changes coming
our way, it may be in the benefits of close communal relations, of having to
really work intimately (and physically) with our neighbors, to be part of an
enterprise that really matters and to be fully engaged in meaningful social
enactments instead of being merely entertained to avoid boredom. Years from
now, when we hear singing at all, we will hear ours! elves, and we will sing
with our whole hearts.
The story on The Long Emergency
Have you ever thought what it would mean if the energy/petroleum crisis actually happens? It’s not so much about the lack of fuel for the cars, planes, trains. It’s more pervasive than that. Think about it.
Plastic comes from petroleum. Computers are made from plastics, circuit boards are made from plastics, food is stored and shipped and packaged in plastics, the wires in your house, your toys, your electronics are all insulated with plastics. Cars, planes, trains, toys, sheds, tools, are made from plastics.
Many lubricants come from petroleum. Lubricants are needed in all internal combustion engines. Lubricants are needed in most manufacturing processes. Lubricants are required to keep printing presses moving.
Petroleum and its byproducts are fully integrated in the world’s products. What happens when it’s gone, or perhaps not gone, but just not available because of cost?
Now go to the next step.
Now it costs too much to move food around in trucks. It costs too much money to keep fridges cold and freezers frozen. It costs too much to commute to work assuming you can afford the plastics in the vehicle or the fuel for the tank.
Society is going to need to change. It won’t be a change “overnight”. Fuel prices will soar, alternatives to petroleum fuels will start to get more expensive as the demand for them increases. Then the byproducts from petroleum will start to become more scarse and manditory recycling of plastics and other byproducts will be put in place. It’ll look like inflation, but there will be no respite in sight. Eventually people may clue in that dramatic and long-lasting changes are coming. Unfortunately, by the time it’s obvious to most, it’ll also be too late for most.
The disparity between the “haves” and the “have nots” will grow. The _haves_ may have full-time electricity and the ability to use vehicles that use fuels. The _have nots_ will be lucky to have rotating electricity and will most likely be back to horses and carriages.
I’m not usually a Dooms-Day-type guy, but this one I think has teeth. I know society isn’t ready. Society is in denial.
Are you in denial or are you thinking about how to get ready?
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