We must prepare for oil crisis

Richard Heinberg, one of the country’s leading educators on the topic of peak oil, visited Eugene on Jan. 10. The issue of peak oil is compelling: It’s the point at which global oil production reaches a limit and can rise no further. Virtually no petroleum expert denies peak oil – the debate is when, not if. Many experts see evidence that peak oil will occur within the next five years.

Peak oil implies a collision between declining quantities of available oil and increasing demand. Because every country relies on cheap, abundant oil, this is a recipe for political, social, economic and military disruption on an unprecedented scale.
During his busy day, Heinberg met with Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy and officials from the Eugene Planning and Development Department, the Lane Transit District, the Eugene Water & Electric Board and the Lane Council of Governments. Heinberg emphasized the importance of preparations for peak oil without delay.

Several who met with Heinberg questioned the urgency. Some analysts claim the onset of peak oil will be delayed by market-driven increases in petroleum investment, discovery and production. Such hopes, according to Heinberg, are countered by current oil field depletion rates, diminishing global excess capacity, slowing rates of discovery and increases in the cost of developing new oil fields.

Register-Guard (Eugene, OR)