In the next few decades we're going to be moving away from the use of petroleum products and towards a post-carbon economy. This is a much bigger shift than many Americans realize- the industrial world we know has been built and maintained by cheap oil. But the oil is running out, and it scars our air regardless. Competition over oil is fueling geopolitical crises from the US-Iraq debacle to Sudan, and we might as well abandon it. Any fuel source that occupies so powerful a place in society and is so geographically concentrated will fuel war and intrigue for its control.
If scarcity breeds war, why not build up an energy infrastructure on nonscarce resources? For instance, sunlight, wind, waves, the heat of the earth (geothermal), biomass? A democratic and decentralized society can only exist with democratic and decentralized sources for energy and commercial inputs.
These links will help you learn about the oil issue. They will also reveal some alternatives to oil dependence, and give you tips and resources to reducing your our oil dependence.
The Oil Economy: War, Warming and Withering Away
"Oil Wars: Transforming the American Military into a Global Oil-Protection Service", by Michael Klare
Michael Klare's homepage with article links
What Is Global Warming? from National Geographic
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas
Cambridge Energy Research Associates
"The oil we eat: Following the food chain back to Iraq"
Information on Oil Alternatives
American Solar Energy Society,?a>
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Re-energy.ca, for teachers
Reducing Your Oil Dependence
Cheap Van-pooling from Austin's Capital Metro
Yellow Bike Project
Carpooling in Austin from Carpoolworld.com
More than 500 renewable energy and conservation DIY project guides
Energy Efficient Homes from DoItYourself.com
Home Power Magazine
News and Blogs
Alternative Energy News
Grist: Environmental News and Commentary