I was speaking less to the redistribution of wealth than to the need for leadership.  To address a monumental problem such as peak oil someone needs to 1) recognize the problem and its potential impact; 2) communicate the problem to the populace in an effective way; 3)propose a viable solution (which at this point is not prevention but adaptation and mitigation); 4) mobilize the populace to achieve that solution; and 5) deal with the "Powers That Be" backlash of attempting to preserve the status quo by discrediting the articulation of the problem and proposed solution.  It is a tall order and I don't really see anyone on the horizon who could fill it.

Al Gore has recognized the problem (and most likely has the knowledge of the system to assist in implementation.)  However, he ,like all empiricists, believes that if he just lays out the evidence people will see what the problem is and what they need to do about it.  Unfortunately, as we have seen that is not necessarily the case (see Number 5 above)