World running out of time for oil alternatives

[Phoenix_22]

Originally Posted by Mast3rofPuppets

The gas costs about 7 dollars per gallon here.

I know that and i know that its even more expensive in other countries. But, most Europeans don't use as much fuel as the U.S., don't commute as much as us, and don't consume as much as us. When Americans get fed up with rising gas prices, and there isn't a solution, we are screwed over here.

I actually thought about this the other day:

When America began, most people lived near or in cities. Ever since the invention of the locomotive and cars, people spread out and started to commute. Now, since gas prices are going higher, i've wondered if it will come to a point where people move closer to cities, or even into them. If america was laid out like Europe, we wouldn't have this problem, as more people could be able to walk, bicycle, or take a train to work. That's another thing, public transportation in the States sucks, while it works in cities, alot of people live in suburbs.

Originally Posted by -Ghost-

Yes, Fuel Cell cars seem promising, they use hydrogen to power themselves, and the only exhaust they give off is Water vapor. The only sideffect I can see from that is increased humidity and rainy weather. Even if this oil shortage isn't as bad as it seems, I'd rather they start working on a new energy source sooner instead of later...

Yeah, it is promising, but the other problem is for mass-power. Coal factories can't be replaced by hydrogen factories, that is a good idea, but it would take 100 years or more to completely revamp factories and homes to comply with each other.

I think that a solution for power to homes, cities, etc. needs to be found more than a solution to automobile fuel. But both are very, very important.

[Blood n Guts]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_22

When America began, most people lived near or in cities. Ever since the invention of the locomotive and cars, people spread out and started to commute. Now, since gas prices are going higher, i've wondered if it will come to a point where people move closer to cities, or even into them.

Leading sociologists are predicting a return of the population to the cities over the next 25 years (it already has begun), so your presumption is correct

Yeah, it is promising, but the other problem is for mass-power. Coal factories can't be replaced by hydrogen factories, that is a good idea, but it would take 100 years or more to completely revamp factories and homes to comply with each other.

I think that a solution for power to homes, cities, etc. needs to be found more than a solution to automobile fuel. But both are very, very important.

Nuclear fusion is going to be the way to go. Immense power, safer safe than fission (not that fission isn't safe), less waste and the waste doesn't stay radioactive for more than a decade.

[Phoenix_22]

Originally Posted by Blood n Guts

Leading sociologists are predicting a return of the population to the cities over the next 25 years (it already has begun), so your presumption is correct

Good to hear i'm not a ranting lunatic.

Nuclear fusion is going to be the way to go. Immense power, safer safe than fission (not that fission isn't safe), less waste and the waste doesn't stay radioactive for more than a decade.

yup. I definetly think it is the best option right now, as it is already in place, tested, capable, and logical.

[-Ghost-]

Hopefully the "pressure" of limited reosurces will help speed up any efforts being made for alternative energy sources. This really should have been done earlier, rather then right when we're about to run out

[Phoenix_22]

Originally Posted by -Ghost-

Hopefully the "pressure" of limited reosurces will help speed up any efforts being made for alternative energy sources. This really should have been done earlier, rather then right when we're about to run out

Well, the current estimates put it from 2000-2040. As you know, we are in 2005, that means we are in the "oh shit" time period. From what i researched last year, most scientists put the period of peak oil at around 2018 or 2024, with oil running out by 2050 or so. My guess is peak oil being reached in 2010 and oil running out in 2034 or a year around there. I will be in my 40's, as will alot of people in here...so whatever happens, its our generation that is going to get whatever happens with the situation.

[PropheticKarma]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_22

Well, the current estimates put it from 2000-2040. As you know, we are in 2005, that means we are in the "oh shit" time period.

So we're not "generation x" anymore, awesome although "oh shit" sounds appropriate to me.

Originally Posted by Phoenix_22

being reached in 2010 and oil running out in 2034 or a year around there. I will be in my 40's, as will alot of people in here...so whatever happens, its our generation that is going to get whatever happens with the situation.

Great, just what our generation needs more pressure.

[Pethegreat]

We still have a ton of oil any way you look at it. There is billions of gallons in Alasaka, even more still in the ocean and in the middle east. The prices would plummit if we had a few more refineries and oil was sold at face value per barel(about $1.50 per barrel for the saudies)

Fusion is decades away, yet we have an almost endless supply of wind, solar, and nuclear(fission) power. France makes %60 of its power from Nuclear fission. People are may to skittish about nuclear power. The only 1 serious accidents(Chenobal) out of thousands of years of combined operation scared all the Americans away from it along with 3 mile island.

[Jeffro]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat™

We still have a ton of oil any way you look at it. There is billions of gallons in Alasaka, even more still in the ocean and in the middle east. The prices would plummit if we had a few more refineries and oil was sold at face value per barel(about $1.50 per barrel for the saudies)

Fusion is decades away, yet we have an almost endless supply of wind, solar, and nuclear(fission) power. France makes %60 of its power from Nuclear fission. People are may to skittish about nuclear power. The only 1 serious accidents(Chenobal) out of thousands of years of combined operation scared all the Americans away from it along with 3 mile island.

The point is to get us prepared now so we aren't hit with gas prices that are just unaffordable for the general public.

[NuclearFieldMarshall]

Well, knowing Bush, he'll probably invade Saudi Arabia and then install ExxonMobile and have them start pumping oil. Either that, or they'll start doing that in Iraq once the violence stops.

[Phoenix_22]

Originally Posted by Pethegreat™

We still have a ton of oil any way you look at it. There is billions of gallons in Alasaka, even more still in the ocean and in the middle east. The prices would plummit if we had a few more refineries and oil was sold at face value per barel(about $1.50 per barrel for the saudies)

Yes, but unless something happens, the world isn't slowing down as far as consumption, nor population. You know that Americans won't sell their trucks or SUV's until they are forced to, as well as China's population growth, and...the worlds as well. This means that oil consumption isn't going to slow down anytime soon, and yes...our generation (the people born in 1985/86-1992/95) will be in the working force when this happens.

I know there are pockets of oil still out there, but the question is...how much oil will be harvested, how much will enviromentalists play a factor, and will this country take over the Middle east just for Oil, and maybe Venezuela?

The point is, oil is drying up, and when the discovery of new oil pockets stops and the need for oil keeps rising, we will have the term known as "peak oil." From there, prices will reach record highs across the world. As in $30 per gallon near the end of oil imports. Hopefully by that time, we will have an alternative.

And for the last time, the alternative is not "more oil" or "more places with oil" because there are very few left.