Peak oil, adapting for big changes ahead

What's our Plan B when oil is scarce and costs too much for the average consumer? Image: Liyen via Flickr.

Peak oil. What changes might it bring and what mind shifts may we have to make to prepare ourselves to face these challenges, both in a practical sense and psychologically? This is the basis for Peak Moment TV Conversation’ 351 with Energy Bulletin co-editor Bart Anderson.

With the possibility of such dramatic change to how we live, how we interact with the world, and even how we think and view things, what do we need to do to make this transition easier?

School’s in

Anderson urges others to start learning more about the reality of peak oil now.

The shock of running into limits and people getting panicked is the real danger, and the way to avoid that is by learning about it first- about Peak Oil and all the implications that brings up.

Anderson recommends reading works from Post Carbon Institute founder Richard Heinberg and Australian permaculturist David Holmgren as two of his favourite sources of reliable, useful information. But, hey says, there are many others out there who all have pieces of the truth concerning the peak oil story.

Remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them

Anderson also feels very strongly about women writers having a voice.

They bring an entirely different view about what’s going to come and how to deal with it, that I think brings a real whiff of sanity.

Green for all

He also voices concern over a lack of diversity in those taking part in the peak oil discussion, whether listening or sharing. He argues that much more diversity is needed, with different nationalities, socio-economic, and ethnicities having input.

America’s a great culture, but we’ve got our blind spots, our narrownesses and we need those other viewpoints.

Respect for our elders

One of the points Anderson made, which has reverberated strongly with me, was his suggestion that we look at how our ancestors lived and incorporate many of their values into our lives.

Go back and see what people did before us.  We can learn from them.  It’s fun and it’s a very deepening experience.

To me, honoring and embracing the knowledge and wisdom of the elders of our tribes is one of the most important clues to our way forward. This is particularly true for our indigenous elders, whose cultures existed for thousands of years with respect for, and in harmony with, the earth and all its creatures. We can certainly learn a lot from them.

Less is more

So what else does Anderson suggest?  A couple that particularly spoke to me were:

Don’t try to think too big.  Start from where you are.  We can all do something.  And if you start doing something you feel empowered.

He also advises an unusual experiment, that we live “poor for a while and learn(sic) how to do it well. That’s a valuable skill.”

Living as a student offers great practice, he says, when you don’t have much money but live within a walkable campus community. The many wonderful experiences that go with that—meeting others, working together, joining clubs and activities, sharing art, stretching a dollar, making music, and focusing on personal interactions and a sense of camaraderie, rather than on amassing physical possessions.

Anderson has so many gems of advice and thought provoking comment to share in this episode, from practical ways we can prepare, to creating a mindset which will support us through the times ahead. Watch the episode and you’ll come away with so much to think about.

Changes are coming soon, Anderson says. Maybe even within the next few years.

So, we should be prepared for that.  Right now people think that things will never change, the government will never wake up, people are always going to be consumers.  No.  This could come very quickly, and with a degree of intensity that we can’t dream of.  So- fasten your seat belts.

Are you ready for the ride?

–Anthea Hudson, Transition Voice