DesuMaiden wrote:KaiserJeep wrote:Just how soon the collapse happens is the basic question. Most guesses seem to be in the 2020-2030 range.
But economic recession is destroying demand for fuel and energy prices for both vehicle fuel and space heating are still dropping, postponing and prolonging the collapse. Once we enter a full-grown depression, we may have fuel for a few decades more, simply because of demand destruction.
That sounds reasonable. I doubt industrial civilization will last for much longer. It is time to start building life boats now. We can't waste anymore time.
I would say the opposite, "Industrial civilization" will continue for a very long time, don't forget that the industrial revolution was initially wind & water powered. With alternative energy sources and vastly improved efficiencies and a reduction in the manufacturing of "consumer crap!" there's no reason why it won't continue for far longer than your life expectancy. Peak oil is really only about the rise and decline of one of the principal fuels used in modern society, it's demise will change the way we live in the future, for some parts of the world it may be catastrophic, but for many others it will just be a change of direction. Technology has made every watt of electrical energy do so much more than in previous years, the biggest challenge we face is to use it wisely, as opposed to getting additional stuff to use the "spare" power.
In the short term I see the biggest dangers coming from the economic fallout from the "end of perpetual growth" that the current financial system is dependent on, there may be some big changes in that sector soon. Most likely just after the "baby boomers " have retired and they discover that the pension pots are empty!
Longer term, agriculture in established areas may have to contend with soil depletion and that will cause serious problems for future generations, in some places at may already be happening.
Lastly remember, as has already been posted "life is for living!"