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Originally Posted by Charbucks  I have no idea how long until we run out. Various different predictions have estimated "peak oil" to occur between 2005 and 2040, which, as you said, will mark the apex of production. However, if it only takes 100-150 years to reach the "peak", then I can't imagine it'll last for much more than 100 years after that, especially since our consumption isn't exactly declining. When I said "near future", I meant several generations, give or take a hundred years. It doesn't really matter though, because we are going to run out of oil faster than it can be produced. |
I knew you'd say that.
Put it in perspective. We've only been drilling for a generation or two. It's not the emergency you implied in your earlier statement wouldn't you agree?
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Originally Posted by Charbucks True enough. However, one of the major criticisms against sustainable energy sources is that they can't keep up with current demand. I think that we will eventually need to be more efficient in our usage. That doesn't mean that our lifestyle need be significantly affected, I just think that we could accomplish the same level of creature comforts with less energy usage. |
You have that backwards. There's no demand right now for sustainable energy sources. Once there is, nothing will stop production of new sources so long as the government stays out of it.
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Originally Posted by Charbucks And then when the oil does run out (in 1, 2, 3 centuries, whatever), what do you think will be the most viable alternative? Obviously, there may be technology that we don't know about right now, but that's not very fun to talk about. |
They'll come up with something. Demand will drive it.