New Years Resolutions

I've always been a fan of NY resolutions. Here's one author's suggestion.

A couple things he points out:
1. Compact flourescents. I haven't mentioned this one, but everyone should consider using these. We haven't gotten around to it yet either, so NY is a great time to do it.
2. He notes that 2006 production will be below 2005. It was projected to be, but at this point I think it may be clear. I'll follow up on this after the new year.

Oh & BTW I'm watching a thing on the Mayan calendar and it's freaking me out. Dec 21, 2012 is the Mayan end of days. Scary stuff - here's a wiki on the Maya calendar in case you're interested. Let me know if you find a more thorough source for the Mayan end of the world.

Thoughts on Christmas Eve...

Christmas has brought on a couple different perspectives for me wrt the end of cheap energy:

- I'm sure there are people out there who think to themselves, "what do I get for (insert name here) who is 'into' PO?" And they come up with ideas like battery-less flashlights and what-not. But the funny thing is that probably the most important thing is not to consume more, but to consume less. So how do you get something for someone who wants to live and thrive on less? Do you just get them nothing? But on the other hand, practically speaking, aren't there a TON of things we'll really need - like battery-less flashlights? How do you deal with these two conflicting perspectives?

- Maybe it's the hidden optimist in me that's brought out around Christmas time, but I can't help but feel if people were more aware of PO that panic would not ensue, but rather a large collective effort to prepare (after a round or two of denial of course). If one really buys this hopeful viewpoint, shouldn't preparation be all about making people aware, at least those in your own community? If you think about the monumental money and effort that is put into Christmas, you have to think there's at least a chance to make it past PO with a reasonable future (assuming dealing with PO also addresses global warming). Life may not be as good or as easy as it is now, but it needn't be anarchy.

- Christmas also reminds me of all these damned evangelicals talking about the 2nd coming, with the implicit message, "Don't worry about racking up credit card debt, the environment, the future - Jesus is going to come and save us God-fearin' folk and stick it to all you godless bastards!" Many if not most of the top brass in the ruling Christian party feel the same way. Makes me want to vomit.

Well I can't end on thoughts of vomit - how about this: If we all wish really really hard, PO will happen a long time from now and we'll have a very easy transition past peak. And global warming won't make the earth inhabitable by the time our children are old. Hooray!

10 principles for peak oil planning

Ooh - here's a good article about planning. Very well written, solid author, really brings it down to earth in an enjoyable read. I bet he's a great speaker.

One thing that really makes you think is his discussion toward the end about why it's so important to plan as a community. He points out that if PO hits really suddenly (ie. painfully) people will listen to anyone who has a plan. Right now those people might be pretty scary - the example he gives is of the British Socialist party. White supremacist survivalists who appear to have a solid plan to address a harsh post-PO environment.

San Francisco Peak Oil Task Force

Finally - someone from the board of supervisors introduced legislation to create a PO preparedness task force. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi has done a few PO related things, but this would be quite a big step - we'll only be a year or two behind Portland in preparing for Peak Oil (at least officially - I believe in reality we're so far behind that we can never catch up).

100 tips for PO Preparation

Here's a good post about some hardcore tips re: preparing for Peak Oil.

Connect with others

Found a site that finds groups for those interested in learning more about and preparing for Peak Oil in your local communities.

Who's better - us or the commies?

Really interesting article regarding preparedness of the U.S. vs. the USSR on the eve of Peak Oil. Makes you think about moving away...