Peak Oil Fact Sheet

Prepared by John Stephenson. Editor, Durham Electric Vehicle Association (Oct.2007)

What is Peak Oil? (or Peak Oil Production)

When world oil production gets smaller each month and year, then we will have passed the time when peak oil production occurred.

We can not know in advance when peak oil production will occur. But by looking at the monthly production figures, and total annual oil production records for several consecutive years, we will be able to see when production is falling. We will then know that we have passed the production peak, and that henceforth oil production will decrease.

What is the current situation?

Some experts think that peak oil production occurred in August 2006.

Others think it will happen before 2010.

Still others think it will happen before 2014.

What are the effects of Peak Oil Production?

Almost every country is using more oil every year. But when the amount of oil produced reaches a plateau, or begins to decline, three things will happen:

i) The price of oil will rise (in the last week of October 2007 oil cost nearly $95 per barrel)

ii) We will begin to see shortages at the pump. (Line-ups at gas stations which still have some gas available)

iii) Economic slow-down. Industries using oil fuels will not get as much fuel as they need. There will be slow-downs and lay-offs.

Other effects will include:

Farmers will produce less food (tractors and fertilizers need oil)

Truckers will deliver less food to stores (due to fuel shortages).

What can you do?

i) Tell your elected representatives (Federal, Provincial and Municipal) that you are concerned about Peak Oil. Ask them what they are proposing to do about it.

ii) Use less fuel oil – ask yourself 'is my journey really necessary?'

Drive a fuel efficient vehicle – get an electrically assisted bicycle.

Convert a gas car to a battery electric car.

Conserve energy at home – Insulate, caulk, only heat the rooms you are using, use efficient light fittings and appliances.

Install solar thermal and solar photo-voltaic panels to assist in heating your home and hot water.

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For updated information and archives, Google 'the oil drum'

What can your Elected Representatives do?

1) Awareness

Have a staff person prepare chart(s) showing:

Maximum world production of oil liquids.

Maximum price paid for a barrel of oil in the period of interest.

Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual mean temperatures for the a) Northern hemisphere, Southern hemisphere, and Global Land/Ocean Surface Temperatures.

These charts to be displayed in a prominent place for the information of MPs, MPPs, Councilors Staff and the Public

2) Concentrate the Population in the Cities

i) Affordable Housing - build 3 story apartments of not more than 800 square feet area in locations within easy walking distances of major shopping areas. .

ii) All new buildings in the Municipality must meet advanced levels of energy conservation and efficiency.

iii) Stop all Residential and Industrial/Commercial construction in areas outside city boundaries.

3) Transit

i) Establish fast 'through routes' (e.g. from Newcastle to Oshawa, and Toronto, with stops only at major transit nodes).

ii) Establish PPP transport on local routes to service areas around major transit nodes.

iii) Stop construction of new roads and limit areas allocated for parking of private vehicles.

iv) Stop construction and expansion of airports.

[PPP = Public/Private Partnerships)

4) Energy

4a) Solar Generation

i) Encourage residents to install solar electric panels and solar thermal panels so as to reduce energy demands from residences, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings.

ii)Encourage residents to purchase and install wind powered generators and ground source heat generators (heat pumps)

iii) Install one or more 2 to 5 MW electrical wind generators for electricity supply in the town and rural areas.

4b) Conservation and Efficiency

i)Reduce the amount of street lighting by a factor of 2

ii) Encourage energy conservation and efficiency in industrial, commercial buildings and residences.

iii) Employ a Technologist to assess and promote energy conservation practices and efficient use of energy.

5) Agriculture

i) Encourage local farmers and city residents to enter into mutual contracts for the supply of poultry, eggs, grains (corn, wheat, barley, rye, spelt), legumes (peas, beans etc), fruits (apples etc.) and winter vegetables (potatoes, swedes, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower etc).

ii) Encourage residents to grow their own food

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Many of you will have additional suggestions to make to your elected representatives.