News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

Humanity is sleep walking toward a cliff and doesn't even know it

Most oil experts (petroleum geologists, oil executives, and energy bankers) that study the relationships between global oil supply and demand warn that oil, the fuel driving growth-based modern civilization, is getting much harder to find and much more costly to process. This, folks, is the wakeup call to what lies ahead, as the cheap light sweet crude has already been discovered and is nearly gone.

Despite intensive exploration using the most advanced technologies consumption and drawdown rates now exceed discoveries 6 to 1.

Thousands of products we take for granted are made from oil (fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, clothing, pharmaceuticals, paint, tires, and nearly all transportation). This dependence makes us highly vulnerable on the downside after peak when bidding wars, shortages, rationing, and steep price increases are likely to ensue.

What should we do now to initiate the long transition away from this oil dependence? We in the Cariboo-Chilcotin can find inspiration and ideas for crafting this transition from the 300 and growing “Transition Towns” around the world that are creatively facing the climate change/peak oil dilemma. We should start a discussion on how to increase our local resilience, self-reliance, and adaptability in the face of this coming energy/economic crisis. By building upon the work initiated by CCBAC, the Food Council, the Williams Lake – Imagine our Future project, and the Cariboo Sustainability Committees we have already started this transition.

To start this discussion we at the Peak Oil Awareness Subcommittee are sponsoring a film series. Following each film we will host a coffee-house style discussion. Watch for announcements and don’t miss the Williams Lake Film Club matinee showing of “The Great Squeeze” on January 16th at 2:00 PM in the Gibralter Room where more information about peak oil film showings will be available.

Richard Case, Williams Lake, BC
Peak Oil Awareness Subcommittee
Williams Lake Sustainability Committee

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