The Day After Oil: Alternatives and Solutions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the future of energy sources in the context of diminishing oil reliance, exploring alternatives such as nuclear power, electric vehicles, and the implications for transportation and food industries. Participants express concerns about the socio-economic impacts of transitioning away from oil and the sustainability of proposed alternatives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that while oil is problematic, it is not an immediate crisis as alternatives are available, though they acknowledge rising costs.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for societal collapse or fragmentation if oil prices rise significantly, impacting food prices and leading to conflict.
  • Some argue that corporate interests hinder the development of sustainable alternatives, emphasizing the need for more funding in research for alternative fuels.
  • There is a discussion about the viability of electric vehicles and the potential for battery technology to replace oil, though some express skepticism about the sustainability of battery materials like nickel.
  • Participants note that nuclear power is a green alternative but carries risks, and the timeline for solar energy becoming a major source is debated.
  • One participant highlights the disparity in resource distribution, comparing the issues of water scarcity to oil dependency.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views with no clear consensus. Some believe alternatives to oil are viable and necessary, while others are skeptical about their effectiveness and the motivations behind their development.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge various limitations, including the finite nature of materials needed for alternatives, the influence of corporate interests on energy policy, and the socio-economic ramifications of transitioning away from oil.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring energy policy, sustainability, and the socio-economic impacts of transitioning from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources.

The day after oil?

  • We will face apocalyptic scenario

    Votes: 4 13.3%

  • We will find adequate alternative long before

    Votes: 21 70.0%

  • Human race will evolveback from industrial based to agricultural based society

    Votes: 4 13.3%

  • We will be extinct before the oil

    Votes: 1 3.3%
  • Total voters
    30
estro
Messages
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Its not a secret that the human race runs on 3 essential liquids; water, beer and oil.
Mother nature gifts us the first, we know how to cook the second but the third is somewhat problematic.

What alternatives we have now, nuclear power for electricity? But what will happen in the transportation industry or the food industry which is highly depended on oil?

For many years now we talk about electrical and some kind of hybrid cars [but what about airplanes], although I don't think these are adequate long term solutions.

I think we are intelligent enough and have the time to avoid apocalyptic scenario, or maybe I'm wrong?

[Edit] How can I edit the poll? [I've made a typo]
 
Last edited:
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We already have viable alternatives, and as far as oil usage is concerned it's a problem sure, but it's far from critical (ie we aren't just going to run out) it's just getting more expensive. Currently it's still the cheapest and most viable solution for transport.

More funding to alternative transport/fuel research means we will get it quicker. Simple.
 
estro said:
Its not a secret that the human race runs on 3 essential liquids; water, beer and oil.
Mother nature gifts us the first, we know how to cook the second but the third is somewhat problematic.

Actually, usable fresh water is as big a problem as oil. Except, in the case of water, the problem is that the water always seems to be in the places that don't need it and never in the places that really need it.

In any event, human history is filled with civilizations that progressed to a new level, only fall back into a more primitive level. During those first decades before the rules of new culture have been etched in stone, it isn't that hard for that particular civilization to fragment into parts too small to maintain the whole.

There's no reason to think that a post-industrial culture is so different from any culture that has come before that we're exempt from the possibility of fragmenting into more primitive cultures.
 
The crisis will hit us actually long before the oil will run out, imagine how the food price will skyrocket when oil gets too expensive. This will bring chaos to many poor countries not before long the whole world can be ignited into conflict. Or maybe I'm to dramatic here?
 
I think it's something like 10 hydrocarbon calories per 1 "food" calorie consumed, so I don't think you're being overly dramatic.
 
We have the alternatives but the corporate bigwigs only want more money, not a sustainable planet. The USA is such a big player, but earn so much money from their wells that they want to keep them going. solar needs a decade or so to become a major source that is highly efficient. Nuclear is very "green" unless a mistake happens. the other problem is that the Chinese have a lot of coal and will make money on that. I sure hope that a Major government think about the Earth before their wallets.
watch the movie "the story of stuff" please
sorry that this is so opinionated, BT
 
brother time said:
We have the alternatives but the corporate bigwigs only want more money, not a sustainable planet. The USA is such a big player, but earn so much money from their wells that they want to keep them going. solar needs a decade or so to become a major source that is highly efficient. Nuclear is very "green" unless a mistake happens. the other problem is that the Chinese have a lot of coal and will make money on that. I sure hope that a Major government think about the Earth before their wallets.
watch the movie "the story of stuff" please
sorry that this is so opinionated, BT

You mean we do have an alternative to oil and it's products?
So we can put it into our planes and automobiles and keep going?
I'm not so sure.
 
It's electricity. Given the funding the car car and oil companies have, we could probably produce a battery that could do the job. Look at the cap that Obama put on oil spill costs: 75 million, I don't think so. 1 billion is more like it. They are wrecking the planet with our greed.
cheers, BT
 
Don't forget batteries are made of nickel, and like oil nickel is finite.
 
  • #10
I selected the second option, but the reality will likely be somewhere between the second and first (but closer to the second).
 
  • #11
I agree with Russ
 

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