[AdamB]

The world is turning its back on oil. But how quickly? Technological advances driven by the threat of climate change could mean the world’s thirst for petroleum tops out sooner than companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp. or giant producers like Saudi Arabia are banking on. “Peak oil” has been debated for decades, but today it means something very different. 1. Why is oil’s future in doubt? About 60 percent of oil is used in transportation, which is also where the biggest technological changes are emerging. The impact of electric carmakers such as Tesla Inc. could be turbocharged by advances in related fields such as self-driving vehicles and ride-hailing apps, which make it possible for people to switch from owning cars to relying on rides from more efficient fleets. The culmination of these trends could transform how people travel and prompt more

Why the prospect of ‘Peak Oil’ is hotly debated

[AdamB]

Not quite the "hotly debated" angle that a typical acolyte from The Church of Peak might think.

[Newfie]

I can see alternative energy and technology lowering the downward cut steepness, of civilizations decline, but not stopping it.

That downward curve is real and I think we are just at the inflection point.

Too many downward drivers, peak oil may not have the huge impact.

[asg70]

I can see alternative energy and technology lowering the downward cut steepness, of civilizations decline, but not stopping it.
That downward curve is real and I think we are just at the inflection point.
Too many downward drivers, peak oil may not have the huge impact.

Well said. This is the moderate and ultimately the correct viewpoint.

[Outcast_Searcher]

I can see alternative energy and technology lowering the downward cut steepness, of civilizations decline, but not stopping it.
That downward curve is real and I think we are just at the inflection point.
Too many downward drivers, peak oil may not have the huge impact.

Well said. This is the moderate and ultimately the correct viewpoint.

Well, it's certainly a reasonable idea and worth debating.

Given the way humanity behaves, it ultimately might be a race between how quickly green energy and its benefits can ramp up, vs. how badly problems like AGW worsen. The deciding factor is likely to be the overall population trend. That does NOT inspire optimism, at least soon enough to be very helpful, IMO.

[Newfie]

I can see alternative energy and technology lowering the downward cut steepness, of civilizations decline, but not stopping it.

That downward curve is real and I think we are just at the inflection point.

Too many downward drivers, peak oil may not have the huge impact.