[mattatcgs]

I've been following a discussion on an Australian site Bang the table.com where a user (Monty123) has posted 8 points to deal with Peak oil. Other users have added a point. It would be good to get some enlightened people joining the discussion because this site sends reports to Government.

http://www.bangthetable.com/topic/peak- ... -to-do-now

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')1. Introduce a carbon tax to provide an immediate incentive to use less oil
2. Phase out all V8s and V6s and 4wd vehicles unless a critical need can be demonstrated.
3. Phase out non solar hot water systems
4. Protect agricultural land in urban frige areas from development (we are going to need it for food)
5. Shift freight from road to rail and sea
6. Install fibre optic broadband to every home and business
7. Ban residential development that is not within a 5 minute walk of key facilities
8. Shift taxes from income to consmption of energy.

If we adopted these policies life would be better for all of us.

[Bas]

Re: 7 , why not cycling? I'm currently looking for a new apartment, and I look at distances in terms of how long it takes on my bicycle to get somewhere. And in extension of this, build a bicycle lane system, making cycling more safe, efficient and therefor more appealing.

Also build new communities, or redesign existing ones with an efficient public transportation system in mind.

[Ludi]

Definitely, more emphasis on cycling, and safe cycling and walking paths.

[Cornelian]

I do like no. 7, if only for nostalgic reasons. I am old enough to remember when life in suburbia meant that there was a little shop on every second street corner (no kidding) and that little shop held most of the basic grocery needs. Main streets had all the butchers and grocers and banks etc which required an extra 20 minutes walk if you were in the farthest reaches of said suburbia. No one ever had to go into 'town' unless for some major extraordinary reason. We also had butchers and grocers and bakers do food deliveries - remember that world? (Strangely, with the internet and internet shopping, we are almost getting back to it.)

Not only did the corner shop mean that life's necessities were within easy reach, but it also built community. People met in the shop, and the shop keepers kept tabs on everyone and knew what was going down. It was great.

OK, sorry. Moment of nostalgia over now.