[Tyler_JC]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eak oil is the point in time when extraction of oil from the earth reaches its highest point and then begins to decline. We won't be able to say with certainty when we have reached peak oil until after the fact. Many experts say we have already reached the peak. Others say not yet, but within the next few years.

What does Peak Oil herald? It heralds the end of cheap energy. In just a short 100 year period our civilization has built a high reliance on cheap, abundant energy. Our entire civilization runs on cheap energy. Solar, wind, and biomass aren't going to cut it. Those sources of energy aren't as cheap as oil and in many cases, need oil in order to be produced. The decline in global oil production will cause an economic meltdown among other things.

Ok fellow Junior Statespeople, what do we do about it?

PS. I'm not crazy and Peak Oil isn't some crazy tin foil hat scam. Research it. Google "Peak Oil" and I guarantee that you will start taking this sort of thing seriously. Or if the internet is too crazy for ya, look in the book store under "current issues", there are dozens of books about the end of cheap oil.

[RonMN]

i don't think it's bad...but who are you presenting it to? it's difficult for me to judge unless i know the audience.

[Tyler_JC]

forgot to say, 15-17 year old kids interested in politics.

[lorenzo]

Yes, it's a good piece. Now that you specified that you're not addressing Members of Parliament, the "hey dudes, Google for" bit makes sense.

[RonMN]

I really do think it's good...but i'd change 2 things.
First i would change "economic meltdown" to "serious economic problems"...and I would leave out the "i'm not crazy" part. Everything after that is fine...go ahead & tell them to google it, but the line "i'm not crazy" diminishes your credibility.

Other than those 2 minor thingys...i think it's great!

[RonMN]

P.S. are you sure you wanna bring this topic up to a room full of 15-17 year olds? After they research it they may all need mental help

Then again if ANYBODY is gonna find a sollution it's gonna be a kid!

[Trab]

If anyone deserves to be fully informed on this topic, it's the teenagers. They will be getting shafted most of all, I think. Growing up with the affluence of cheap energy just in time to have it taken away by the time they hit their mid-20's.

Knowledge is power, and all that.

[Tyler_JC]

Ok, thanks. I forgot to mention that I'm one of those 15-17 year olds in JSA (Junior Statesmen of America). It's like debate team only without teams . I posted it to a JSA internet forum and in the future, I'll post to other forums without the, "I'm not crazy" thing.

[KiddieKorral]

Mind if I borrow that for Florida Girls State?

[Tyler_JC]

Sure! Take it. (It's not really mine, mostly borrowed from peakoil.org)

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')lorida Girls State

[clv101]

Great but I'd add the word 'rate', as in rate of extraction.

[KiddieKorral]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'A')re you a JSAer?

[Tyler_JC]

www.jsa.org
Junior Statesmen of America
It's like debate team without a team.

It's a student run organization where highschool kids debate politics and current events. It's very popular in California and in the liberal states of the East. New York, Conn., and MA have big JSA chapters. We have debates about: gay marriage, income taxes, foreign policy, the war in Iraq, the Sudan Crisis, gun control, and dozens of other issues. It's fun.

[KiddieKorral]

Sounds cool. Maybe I'll start one at my school next year.

I'm in Girls State. They have one for guys too. It's a sort of mock government program.

[Tyler_JC]

Ah, JSA is like that. I think Florida has a few JSA chapters, but we are always looking for more. (WE MUST GROW OR DIE!!! ). That would be awesome if you started one at your school.