The Oil Drum

"Energy will be one of the defining issues of this century.  One thing is clear: the era of easy oil is over. What we all do next will determine how well we me the energy needs of the entire world in this century and beyond.  Demand is soaring like never before.  As populations grow and economies take off, millions in the developing world are enjoying the benefits of a lifestyle that requires increasing amounts of energy. In fact, some say that in 20 years the world will consume 40% more oil than it does today. At the same time many of the world's oil and gas fields are maturing. And new energy discoveries are mainly occurring in places where resources are difficult to extract, physically, economically and even politically. When growing demand meets tight supplies, the result is more competition for the same resources.  We can wait until a crisis forces us to do something.  Or we can commit to working together, and start by asking the tough questions: How do we meet the energy needs of the developing world and those of industrialized nations? What role will renewables and alternative energies play?  What is the best way to protect ourenvironment? How do we accelerate our conservation efforts?   Whatever action we take, we must look not just to next year, but to the next 50 years."

...to Shell Director Malcom Brinded's recent comments that:

The challenges of supplying the expanding energy needs on which rising living standards for billions of people depend - while still preserving our environment - are increasingly apparent.  I believe they are among the greatest challenges ever  faced by mankind.