Here are some highlights from the Association for the Study of Peak Oil USA 2008 Conference. Senior energy analyst Robert Hirsch reflects on the immediate liquid fuels problem, and how the rebuilding of our entire energy system which will require at least twenty years and the importance to think about energy on long-term horizon. He reflects on comments made during the ASPO-USA 2008 conference presentations, noting that he remains optimistic about American response to the daunting challenges ahead.
Political science professor Kyle Saunders is the “Professor Goose” behind The Oil Drum energy and peak oil study website. Professor Saunders champions the need to learn from one another about complex, interdependent topics like the economy, energy, noting that every piece of information we can get can reduce uncertainty. The Oil Drum certainly has its share of technical assessments but many of the posts are easily accessible and understandable to those of us not energy experts. It’s one of my favorites websites and a link can be found in the Energy and Peak Oil section of the BTF blogroll.
In a question-and-answer session at the close of ASPO-USA’s 2008 conference, presenters respond about the current financial chaos and resource scarcity, how to encourage intelligent political action, the need for a peak oil high-visibility champion, peak oil’s relationship to climate change, and suggestions for household energy reduction.