Complacent and addicted

Despite lack of debate, there are clear signs that a permanent oil shortage is around the corner.

To understand the full implications of this fact, it is important not to lose sight of the role that plentiful supplies of inexpensive petroleum have played in maintaining the American way of life.

Residents of industrial nations live, breath and eat oil every day of our lives. The U.S. burns more than 20 million barrels of oil each day, or one-fourth of the world

So when a consortium of leading geophysicists and oil industry whistle-blowers forecast a dramatic downturn in oil production within the next two decades, you would think the U.S. government would take the threat seriously and invest resources necessary to develop renewable energy while we still have a chance.

Don