Is peak oil real?

Yes, we are running out of oil

52% (14 votes)

No, we are not running out of oil

22% (6 votes)

I'm not sure

26% (7 votes)

Total votes: 27

Thu, 08/14/2008 - 8:10pm — mikojak

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Submitted by MollyMormon on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 9:31pm.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38645
This article has some interesting theories about oil. It claims that oil is not a fossil fuel and will renew itself.
Save a chicken:)

Submitted by Micah Perry on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 11:36pm.

It takes way too long for oil to be made- it is a geological impossibility for it to catch up to how fast we use it. Not to mention the amount we use keeps increasing. It is a non-renewable resource.

If you look at how long we've been using it- on a time scale showing say... since the agricultural revolution, fossil fuel is only a blip on the scale. We knew it wouldn't last when we tapped it. You all grew up hearing "non-renewable resource..." why the sudden dismay?

Submitted by Gregatron (not verified) on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 9:00pm.

I believe most of the "peek oil" arguments are inaccurate (and sometimes paranoid), but it's kind of a moot point since not moving away from an oil based economy is simply collective environmental suicide. In short, I WISH peak oil were real (as it would force us to do the right thing).

Recently there have been some promising developments with solar power at MIT. I'm hopeful (but far from certain) that within a generation the world will be mostly powered by renewable, environmentally sustainable sources of energy. (And in the process will be leaving a lot of oil in the ground.)

EDIT: a HUGE part of the recent rise in oil prices is due to speculation as opposed to a classic supply-demand cause, imo.

Submitted by amm_chicago (not verified) on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 9:50pm.

Current oil prices have nothing to do with speculation. So say Paul Krugman, the Economist, and the Finical Times.

We know this because there is little to no real increase in hording of oil reserves going on right now.

Submitted by Gregatron (not verified) on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 10:05pm.

This is an interesting read:

http://economistsview.typepad.com/economistsview/2008/08/speculation-and...

Capitalist economics is just f-ing weird sometimes.

Submitted by Micah Perry on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 4:56pm.

Ok... that articles has plenty to do with the price of tea in China... Thanks?

Peak oil is not a moot point because the devastation this will bring might just be worse than global warming. Head in the sand might be a good tactic it is pretty scary- water, oil both running out at the same time.

Submitted by That One Guy on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 8:44pm.

Tough one to answer, because I think the current oil issues are due to the selfishness and manipulation of a few people... and oil isn't going to run out any time soon. But at the same time, we will run out of oil one day, and I think we need to start preparing for that right now, instead of when we actually hit peak oil. Oil is already such a huge part of the economic infrastructure, when peak oil starts hitting in full force (2 or 20 years from now) we need to be as prepared as possible so that maybe the WHOLE house of cards doesn't fall.

Omnia vincit amor, et nos cedamus amori -
Love conquers all, so let us therefore submit to love

Submitted by Micah Perry on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 8:44pm.

Being informed helps. Yes we have reached peak oil- what sort of evidence do you want? Ba hah! The US peaked in the 70s.