I am lucky that I learned enough of peak oil for it to influence my career. I am currently obtaining a PhD in biological engineering specializing in biofuel/bioreactors.
I am not foolhardy to think that I will be able to solve peak oil, or even delay it. The scalability is not there. However, I have plans for local government and a shift towards a sustainable society. For 25-30,000 people bioreactors and fuels are actually fairly useful. The "waste" from agriculture and maybe a dedicated plot is about enough to fuel a well designed reactor for 3-4 months, assuming that the drawoff isn't huge. Combined with other forms of energy, a community can be well off if the proper steps can be maintained.
I have a contigency plan for if the SHTF. I am armed with a few guns (thanks to the gun thread), including a man-killer. I have a rudimentary knowledge of crops, which I think I will get better at by practice, assuming that I don't starve to death or get shot tending my fields. I'm trying to find a girl that's survivalist minded like me

(I think bars aren't the place to do that). Hopefully, there won't be a global meltdown of society (although it looks likely). I'm not afraid to take another life if it comes down to it, but I'd rather not.
I have also made arrangements to leave this country as soon as I have my doctorate and set up shop somewhere more sensible. Maybe somewhere in France or Germany... I haven't got an idea yet. I still have a few more years to get acquantated (GOD SPELLING IS HARD) with procedures and to make the best decision for me. Money is not a problem, I never really valued it. Sure I have some debt, but I'll take care of it ASAP (I hope). Been stocking my money in Euros for a year or so.
I am by no means ready for a worst case scenario of nuclear warfare, but I doubt anyone else can be. My next goal I've laid out for myself is a 6 month supply of food and a stockpile of ammo, just incase ya know

. You'd be surprised how much you eat
