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Letter on Peak Oil in the local press (June 1 2005)

Kim — Tue, 31 May 2005 23:05:28 -0700

This letter was published in "The Beaudesert Shire Times" & "The Jimboomba Times" on
Wednesday June 1st 2005. These publications serve a population of around 71,000 in SE
Queensland, Australia. It was the LEAD letter, with a headline that screamed "We Are
Running Out of Oil Fast":-

"Seems the party's over. As Mike Jameson said in "Letters" last week, oil's running out. Both Mike's piece, and Brian Randall's letter of May 11 were right. Local production, alternative energy and usable public transport aren't pipe dreams, they're neccesities. Heard of "Peak Oil" anyone? An American Geologist named Dr. M. King Hubbert coined the term in the 1950's. He was poo pooed when he said US oil production would "peak" around 1970, but that's just what happened. In 1971, the US produced more oil than it ever had before, and their output has declined ever since. So, when are we due for global "Peak Oil"? Right about now was Hubbert's prediction. The guy died in 1989, but other experts say he was spot on. Colin Campbell, a retired oil geologist, is one of them. He gave a key address about the problem to the British House of Commons in July 1999. Seems for every four barrels we're using, only one new barrel is being discovered - plus the "new" oil is of lesser quality (more refining costs), and in harder to reach places. When it takes a barrel of oil to extract/refine a barrel of oil, the game's up. Of course, plastics, fertilisers, pesticides and our entire financial system were born from easy access to cheap oil, so it's scary to say the least. "Running out" is not the ultimate issue, as even a small difference between world demand, and world availability, is enough to cause chaos. One of our own State politicians, Andrew McNamara of Hervey Bay, made a recent brave speech about our dilemma. Unfortunately, the main stream media in Queensland met it with a wall of silence. Andrew said "Peak oil is coming soon and no alternative energy source available to us today or in the foreseeable future is going to make up the total energy shortfall. The beginning of the end of the oil age is upon us, and it is time to respond fully to that challenge." And if you think petrol's dear now, you've seen nothing yet. Goldman Sachs, one of the biggest global investment bankers on the planet, is predicting a coming "spike" of $105 a barrel. Politicians generally plan as far as the next election, and companies plan as far as their next profit statement. There's no "Plan B," there's no "they" who are going to save us ordinary working plebs from the coming storms. We have to do that ourselves from the grass roots up. Anyone who's interested in forming a local "Peak Oil" action group, or in other words, a cluster of people interested in creating solutions, can email me on kim_bax@yahoo.com.au It would probably be easier to create a local "meeting space" on-line (due to people's commitments), with a few physical meeting and public forums."

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

ABC Local Radio on Peak Oil (Gold Coast, Qld.) - June 2nd 2005

Kim — Thu, 02 Jun 2005 06:06:54 -0700

Here's the piece, followed by a link to the original:-

Ditch the car, we're running out of oil

Thursday, 2 June 2005

Next time you fill up your petrol tank, enjoy it, it won't be around forever.

Tim Winton is a permaculture expert speaking on the Gold Coast this weekend. He says itâ€™s time for us to get ready for a world with less oil.

â€œâ€˜Peak oilâ€™ is the time when oil production starts to decline. All resource recoveries go through a bell-shaped curve where first we find the good easy stuff, production increases, eventually production peaks out and then it starts to decline. Anyone who has ever picked fruit will know all about that. Itâ€™s just a natural progression that all systems go throughâ€?, Tim says.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

ABC Triple J - June 2, 2005

Kim — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 00:04:23 -0700

Peak oil

This half hour special looks at a topic that's crucial to the future of the planet - the future of oil supplies. Peak oil is when the world's oil supplies reach the peak of production. Many people are arguing we're there now, and that production is in decline. This will have a major impact on the economies of the world. Some people argue that it could lead us into recession and political instability.

+ Listen to Peak oil (mp3, 13.8MB)

date: 02/06/2005
reporter: Steve Cannane

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/s1383563.htm

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Kim's letter to her local newspapers . . .

Kim — Sun, 05 Jun 2005 01:04:39 -0700

Published June 1st 2005 in "The Beaudesert Shire Times" & "The Jimboomba Times" (population around 71,000 in the circulation area):-

Seems the party's over. As Mike Jameson said in "Letters" last week, oil's running out. Both Mike's piece, and Brian Randall's letter of May 11 were right. Local production, alternative energy and usable public transport aren't pipe dreams, they're neccesities. Heard of "Peak Oil" anyone? An American Geologist named Dr. M. King Hubbert coined the term in the 1950's. He was poo pooed when he said US oil production would "peak" around 1970, but that's just what happened. In 1971, the US produced more oil than it ever had before, and their output has declined ever since. So, when are we due for global "Peak Oil"? Right about now was Hubbert's prediction. The guy died in 1989, but other experts say he was spot on. Colin Campbell, a retired oil geologist, is one of them. He gave a key address about the problem to the British House of Commons in July 1999. Seems for every four barrels we're using, only one new barrel is being discovered - plus the "new" oil is of lesser quality (more refining costs), and in harder to reach places. When it takes a barrel of oil to extract/refine a barrel of oil, the game's up. Of course, plastics, fertilisers, pesticides and our entire financial system were born from easy access to cheap oil, so it's scary to say the least. "Running out" is not the ultimate issue, as even a small difference between world demand, and world availability, is enough to cause chaos. One of our own State politicians, Andrew McNamara of Hervey Bay, made a recent brave speech about our dilemma. Unfortunately, the main stream media in Queensland met it with a wall of silence. Andrew said "Peak oil is coming soon and no alternative energy source available to us today or in the foreseeable future is going to make up the total energy shortfall. The beginning of the end of the oil age is upon us, and it is time to respond fully to that challenge." And if you think petrol's dear now, you've seen nothing yet. Goldman Sachs, one of the biggest global investment bankers on the planet, is predicting a coming "spike" of $105 a barrel. Politicians generally plan as far as the next election, and companies plan as far as their next profit statement. There's no "Plan B," there's no "they" who are going to save us ordinary working plebs from the coming storms. We have to do that ourselves from the grass roots up. Anyone who's interested in forming a local "Peak Oil" action group, or in other words, a cluster of people interested in creating solutions, can email me on kim_bax@yahoo.com.au It would probably be easier to create a local "meeting space" on-line (due to people's commitments), with a few physical meeting and public forums.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Oil Shock: ABC TV Stateline 24/06/05

ahazelwood — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 12:23:43 -0700

What follows is the transcript of a recent report on Stateline (ABC TV Queensland). Notice, at the very end, the mention by Andrew McNamara (Hervey Bay) of the formation of an oil vulnerability task force. Attched is also a speech given by McNamara to Queensland Parliament on the topic of Peak Oil. Thanks to Steve Storer of the Environmental Protection Agency for the information.

Oil Shock

ABC TV Stateline - Broadcast: 24/06/2005

Reporter: DUNCAN MCKIMM

KIRRIN MCKECHNIE: Global oil prices hit a new high this week amid
speculation demand for crude has started outstripping supply. Since the late
90's a growing number of energy academics has been predicting an oil shock -
where supply can't keep up with demand - for some time this decade.
It'd mean a dramatic upswing in prices, which could completely change the
way we live - particularly in a state as large as ours. Duncan McKimm
reports on an initiative to start planning for the worst.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

McNamara To Investigate Queensland's Oil Vulnerability

ahazelwood — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 07:35:24 -0700

Following is a press release on the oil vulnerability task force, issued by Andrew McNamara's office on 19 May 2005. Attached are two additional speeches McNamara has made on peak oil. Thanks to Andrew himself for passing these onto me. Look for a telephone interview with Andrew and PCI's own Dave Room to appear on Global Public Media in the coming weeks.

Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara will begin work on a report on Queenslandâ€™s vulnerability to a run down in world oil supplies.

Mr McNamara has been asked to co-ordinate across relevant departments to get the ball rolling to develop an information submission for Cabinet.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

McNamara interview on GPM

ahazelwood — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 14:25:27 -0700

Queensland Australia Parliament member Andrew McNamara speaks about the world's first known study of a region's vulnerability to energy shortages due to global oil peak.

McNamara speaks to David Room about discovering peak oil, explaining oil depletion to his colleagues and his constituents, and previews his state's oil vulnerability task force. This appears be the world's first known study of a region's vulnerability to energy shortages due to global oil peak.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Andrew McNamara update

ahazelwood — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 16:41:51 -0700

Greetings all,

Just thought I'd send along the latest information from and about Hervey Bay MP Andrew McNamara. Lots has been happening!

The Oil Vulnerability Task Force study that McNamara is heading up is still being completed. When I spoke to McNamara on January 25, he told me its completion target date was 17 February. When I spoke to his office last week (31 March) they indicated that the study was still not finished! I will report back with an update as soon as I have one. In the meantime, here is some more on McNamara:

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

H2 Tour kicks off 20 August - Holmgren Only

pekadillo — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 05:03:05 -0700

Sunday 20th August

David Holmgren (permaculture guru) will speak prior to his tour of Australia with a seminar at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, about 100km north of Brisbane.

Contact Janet Millington for more info on 07 54427200 or miltech@bigpond.com

In the other events, Holmgren will be speaking alongside Richard Heinberg, author of The Party's Over and Powerdown.

The current tour schedule can be found on Holmgren's site:
http://www.holmgren.com.au/html/Events/H2Tour.html

Sunshine Coast (Monday 21st Aug)
Brisbane (Tuesday 22nd - Wednesday 23rd Aug)
Perth (Thursday 24th - Friday 25th Aug)
Adelaide(Sunday 27th - Monday 28th Aug)
Sydney(Tuesday 29th - Thursday 31st Aug)
Hobart (Friday 1st Sept)
Hepburn Springs (Sunday 3rd Sept)
Melbourne (Wednesday 6th Sept)

Kuranda Economic Localisation (Queensland, Australia)

Blackall Range Relocalisation Website

pekadillo — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 05:09:08 -0700

www.blackallrangerelocalisation.org

The aim of this site is to provide a communications hub to facilitate the development and execution of plans to relocalise the towns and communities of the Blackall Range and surrounds.

We plan to become a Postcarbon Group shortly.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Heinberg & Holmgren Brisbane 23 August

pekadillo — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 03:53:40 -0700

Teaser:

Richard Heinberg, author of 'Powerdown' and 'The Party's Over' and David Holmgren, co-founder of the Permaculture concept, will speak in two events in Brisbane, Australia.

Kuranda Economic Localisation (Queensland, Australia)

Keeping Money Local: Blackall Range 16-17 July

pekadillo — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 06:03:33 -0700

"KEEPING MONEY LOCAL";
New Developments in Local Currencies.'

DEIRDRE KENT Sunday 16 July 2-4pm,
The Neighborhood Centre Function room,
Coral Street Maleny

Also, Monday 17 July 7-9pm Crystal Waters Kitchen.

Deirdre Kent, bought to Australia for speaking engagements in the big
cities, is also visiting Maleny! She will do an audio-visual presentation
with us on community initiatives in the area of money, especially new
developments in local currencies. Author of "Healthy Money, Healthy
Planet", she has an up-to-date, world-wide overview on what is happening in
this area, and she places emphasis on how the new ways that are being
developed fit better with the principles of nature and the way that living
systems function.

Perhaps it hardly matters whether the current system collapses suddenly, or
is sucked or hollowed out gradually, what matters is that enough people are
prepared, in terms of vision, imagination, and intention, to create a
stable system that actually works. (i.e., to sustain all life and to
fulfill our potential) How are community initiatives in the area of
finance, critically important in attaining and sustaining Relocalisation?
How can we follow the example of 'living systems design', despite laws in
place that would obstruct us? What can we do in our households and
communities, to help this shift to happen? Deirdre provides some clues to
these and other questions.

Further info: Ella ph 5429-6678, linwood@serv.net.au

Deirdre's website
http://www.localcurrencies.blogspot.com

Kuranda Economic Localisation (Queensland, Australia)

Peak Oil Film Night in Maleny

pekadillo — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 01:27:50 -0700

Teaser:

On Thursday 10th August, 7.30pm, the Blackall Range Relocalisation will hold the first of a series of film & discussion nights...

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Open Message to John Howard, Aussie PM

Kim — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 19:17:08 -0700

Author, Affiliation, Date:
Kim Bax, 5 Aug 2006 Teaser:

Widely circulated message to John Howard, re fighting over oil

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Holmgren interview (Australia)

Kim — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:58:35 -0700

Author, Affiliation, Date:
Global Public Media Teaser:

Andi Hazelwood of Global Public Media interviews permaculture founder David Holmgren (21/8/06) http://globalpublicmedia.com/interviews/731

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

Film Night #2 - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

pekadillo — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 05:59:02 -0700

Teaser:

This Thursday 7th September we'll be presenting the inspiring documentary "The Community Solution - How Cuba Survived Peak Oil" in Maleny. Open discussion will be held afterwards.

Queensland After Oil (Australia)

QLD petition to adopt the Oil Depletion Protocol

ahazelwood — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:46:36 -0800

Author, Affiliation, Date:
Cameron Leckie, 31 October 2006 Teaser:

A petition has been submitted to Queensland Parliament requesting the adoption of the Oil Depletion Protocol.

Sustainable Maleny Project

‘Relocalizers’ turn their backs on globalisation

ahazelwood — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 21:53:41 -0800

Author, Affiliation, Date:
Jo Turner, Sunshine Coast Eco News, Nov-Dec 2006 Teaser:

This issue in LIVING SMART Jo Turner looks at the effects of globalization and the countermovement that’s gaining momentum in Queensland – relocalization; starting with people using their consumer dollars to support their local community from within.