Peak Oil: High Tide for an Oil Addicted World/Conclusions

Can we adapt? Can we survive?

Yes we can, and that is yes to both questions. We have done so in the past and we, no doubt will be able to do so in the future. It may not be easy and it may not be a pleasant experience but we can adapt and we can survive. Lets take the worse case scenario and say that there is a decline in world oil production and that lead to a Total Economic Collapse (TEC). What then? Would that mean that the human race will be extinct? That we would fail to survive? The human race is intelligent and, although we may not behave rationally all the time, we can analyse and solve problems when we put our minds to it. We may be short sighted and only think of our short-term selfish goals but there are other aspects of human nature. We may live in a socio-economic system that encourages selfishness and greed, but people are also capable of cooperation and self-sacrifice. It is well within our potential to rebuild and adapt to a drastic change in the way we live. People are already doing it. Individuals are working on their own personnel solutions. Groups have been formed to work together for a post carbon world. There is every possibility that we could be seeing the beginnings of a new socio-economic system. One that moves away from placing importance on material wealth, and is instead in balance with nature, focused on securing our long-term interests.

Maybe in the near future, immediately post peak, there will be suffering due to our lack of foresight and willingness to face up to the challenges that face us but beyond that there is room for great hope. We can actually build a better future but its up to us. The future is built on what we do today. What kind of future do we want for our children and grand children? Let's start building a better future today!