Posted: 1/28/09

(You're free to reprint this article in it's entirety as long as the author and website's names are included and the links below are active to the proper sites listed on this page. - George)

Compiled  for:" The Shaman's Tent"  by:  George R. Harrison 

© 2008-2010

Peak Oil . . . Really?

Are We Really Running Out of Oil?

And, why it doesn't really make a difference.

There are several really convincing videos and books out there now dealing with this concept of "Peak Oil". They refer to the "Hubbell Peak", the top of a bell curve of production of oil from producing fields.

Every oil field and country has it's own unique curve of production. The problem seems to be that most countries are reaching their maximum peak production of oil being pumped from their fields today.

Some, have already passed the peak point and are now pumping less and less oil going into the very petroleum-hungry period in history. China alone is gobbling up every loose drop of oil it can secure to feed it's fire-breathing dragon of an economy. It's rapid growth alone has created a pinch in supplies that is only aggravated by declining production from some of the World's biggest fields.

No one really knows just what the true condition of Saudi Arabia's oil fields are. The Saudi's are keeping that a secret and, in fact, are suspected of inflating their reserve estimates in order to qualify for OPEC's pumping allocations.

What I suggest is that, as we do not really know just what the real truth is concerning this, we should look at what the big boys are saying and doing.

Let's apply our universal tool; the "Qui Bono" (who benefit's) test.

Oil companies reject the overall peak oil argument, but, their actions speak otherwise. As oil supplies squeeze more, prices will go up and profits along with them, so, the oil companies profit whether the theory is true or not.

• They benefit if the theory is true.

If people "believe" that the theory is true, then, there's an excuse for ever-rising prices in oil and gasoline.

• They benefit if the theory is untrue.

If the theory is actually untrue, then, its useful to run up prices anyways.

It seems that Big Oil has a "win-win" thing going here.

We, on the other hand, as consumers and captives of an oil-driven economy, will suffer (will not benefit) if our oil and gasoline are cranked up in price too far and if we do not protect ourselves from this possibility.

Higher prices will affect consumers and suburban residents everywhere as prices go up past $100, $200, $300 and more per barrel.

But, there is always something that can be done as long as we keep our heads and, in fact start using them to wean ourselves off the oil economy.

This will require several steps that don't even seem related to the price of gasoline, but, the consequences of much higher fuel prices will affect the price of everything that is transported world-wide.

"Square-foot gardening" is a concept that should be given some thought for everyone as it brings an intelligent approach to gardening that is land-efficient and labor efficient. You can even set a small one up on your balcony of your apartment. Check it out here:

http://www.squarefootgardening.com  

Cost and availability of basic food will change everyone's lifestyle choices. It will be affected by rising oil prices.

So, it's just a matter of making your choices now without pressure or stress or responding to those sames choices when it will be inevitable, costly and most stressful to make them.

I choose to act now rather than then. I prefer to be in control as much as possible and not depend on the "kindness of strangers", (like the government) to do what's best for me or my family.

How about you? Have you switched to flourescent bulbs in your house yet?

That's a simple change that'll only cost you around $20 and which will lower your electrical usage today. Those electrical costs will be going up also when oil prices rise and this simple action of changing some light bulbs out will hold off those increases to your monthly bill for awhile.

There are numerous other things that can be done, like biodiesel production and I'll keep updating this site with info that I find that will help us all in this effort to change directions and immunize ourselves to overseas cartels and wars to secure supplies of oil to go to the store.

That's just too great a price in blood, money and resources to continue. And, it's bad karma for all. We don't need it if we set our minds right and act where we can act.

It's all a matter of mindset my friends.

First, we must believe it can be done.

Second, we must believe that we can do it.

Then, we are Free to actually do it.

UPDATE 1-30-09: Don't let the recent dive in Oil prices change your mind or incentive to cut yourself off from this particular Energy Beast.

That's one of the reasons for the recent price decline (that and bankrupting certain oil producing countries). And, have you noticed that even as prices per barrel were declining that prices at the pump were rising?

This is a further example of a new "revelation" to us.

A complete disconnect of supply and demand. In other words, even as demand has declined lately, prices still go up. 

Oil is therefore, NOT a consumer-driven commodity after all (or so it would seem).

Perhaps, (do you suppose?), it never really was.

We'll look at uncovering this illusion further in the weeks ahead. Until then,

All the best - George

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