Obama hints at consequences of ‘Peak Oil’ phenomenon without mentioning it by name

Without directly using the term “Peak Oil,” the president has on at least two occasions in recent days referred to the dangers facing us if we continue our dependence on oil at present rates. Wikipedia defines Peak Oil as “the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.”

For Obama’s words to be more than just rhetoric, however, he needs to reaffirm his commitment to “Green Jobs,” which has to be more than just a vote-getting slogan in order to be worthy of the hope Americans invested in the man when we elected him president. That means major tax breaks for corporations researching water, wind and solar technologies. That means a fair and honest look at the role a legal hemp industry could play in the United States, with the fiber from this non-intoxicating plant available to use in the manufacture of clothing, paper, sail riggings and so many other products. That means an eventual phase-out of petroleum-based plastic “junk products,” like the bottled waters so many Americans have come to think of as a convenience.

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