Author points out signs at energy crossroads

SPOKANE – The majority of Paul Roberts’ presentation at Washington State University’s All Extension Conference addressed America’s role in responding to the world’s energy crisis, but he acknowledged something more important than fueling cars or industry.

“All these other things we are trying to hold onto are secondary,” he said. “If we lose food security, we have lost the whole game.”

Roberts, author of “The End of Oil,” which examines America and the world’s response to declining oil stocks, was the keynote speaker at the March 6-8 extension conference in Spokane. The conference was built around an energy theme for a reason. Roberts told the assembled educators and outreach personnel their job is to push back when people say there is no problem.

“You are in a new world in which energy will be constrained. You need to be persuasive for energy. The status quo is no longer stable,” he said, arguing that energy must become an issue politicians can’t avoid.

Capital Press