Hi Sterling925,

approach that considers the multiple issues including peak oil, climate change, population, land use, etc, together, avoiding one dimensional solutions...for me it makes no sense to propose solutions that don't incorporate all the converging crises

I strongly support your comment. And, I would add the important variables like the increased use of coal, nuclear, wind, solar, recession, depression, etc. And, all kinds of feedback loops.

I think we need a modeling effort like the ones being done for the Human Genome Project. I am frequently puzzled by peak oil predictions that seem one dimensional.

If I really believed that the peak was now or in the very near future, I would take some pretty drastic steps to prepare for this difficult time. But, I just not sure that the predictions being make in circles like TOD are a fair assessment of future events - I worry about bias clouding the research.

I need to make some important decisions for our family - the old car needs replacement, various energy improvements for our house are needed, investment choices, travel to Europe, etc. As we are folks of limited financial resources, we can't do everything - we need to make decisions that may well result in unplesant family hardships. We would like to be reasonably informed regarding the options for the decisions facing us.

So, the question is: how do we get valid scientific research and opinion regarding the supply of natural resources like oil and gas. How do we know what to expect in the next few years?

PO might not be felt for several years by folks wandering about the USA. I would think that a barrel of oil would be over $100 in the next few months. But, it could just as easily go to $10 if there is a large scalce disruption of some sort that destroys demand.

Some of us feel that the Nat. Academy of Sci. is needed to do a full-blown study about Peak Oil.

Stirling, I just hope we don't go 'peak beer' too soon.