Energy: Reaching a peak (UK)

A report commissioned by the U.S. government in 2005 contained a stark message. The country, it said, would soon face “an unprecedented risk management problem”. The Hirsch Report warned the Bush administration of “economic, social, and political costs”, which were also likely to be “unprecedented”.

These were strong and worrying words. But, despite first appearances, the report was not describing the threat of terrorism; it was about Peak Oil.

So what was the U.S. administration’s response to this warning? Firstly, they buried the report for almost a year. Then, when it finally came to light, they chose to ignore its recommendations completely. But the threat of Peak Oil has not gone away.

In comparison to climate change, Peak Oil has received very little attention in the media. This is despite the fact that, here in the West, it is the former that is most likely to have a more immediate effect on our lives.

Shetland Times