Get Going (part 2)
In my post, Changing Gears, I communicated my decision to address the practical aspects of dealing with the arrival of peak oil and its repercussions.
As I often say, we have no sure way of knowing exactly how this thing is going to play itself out. For years we have been speculating about what post-peak life might actually be like – that was all we could do – but we are now “in it” and so I ask: What can we do? Once again I am using the excellent work of Gail Tverberg as the principal source of information to begin this list of practical suggestions. (More suggestions to come…):
1. -Visit family and friends now, especially those who live far away. This could be much more difficult to do in the not-too-distant future and here’s why: The recent history of the airline industry reveals its vulnerability to oil price shocks. Just in the US over the last few years, the industry has seen losses in excess of $60 billion, while at the same time eliminating more than 180,000 jobs. Last year the industry had to deal with a 20% increase in fuel costs and the companies survived by reinventing the rules of the game – to the detriment of their customers, the passengers. The new rules are simple: Fly less and charge more. The companies of the industry have trimmed down their flight schedules, opting for higher occupancy per flight, while fares over the past year have risen more than 15%. In addition, many services that were traditionally included in the price of the ticket are now being charged separately (and their not cheap!): checking luggage – sometimes even the 1st bag – now costs $30 and up, changes in flight itineraries have merciless consequences and penalties, not to mention snacks and drinks while on board…
And now oil prices are in the midst of another push upward…another step toward the $100 per barrel mark. But on this occasion the airlines have little wriggle room left…What else (in terms of cost) can they pass on to the unsuspecting passenger? What else can they charge him/her for to make a little cash?? It is reasonable to think therefore that future (imminent) price spikes and supply hiccups will provoke significant and permanent changes in air travel and that our cross-country hopscotching days are numbered. So book that trip you’ve been putting off and go see your mom while you can!
2. – Buy a hybrid car now. Soon, when the repercussions of peak oil are more evident and the situation is more serious, it will be much more difficult and expensive to get your hands on one of these cars. You may ask why I am not recommending an electric car? As Antonio Turiel argues quite convincingly in his blog The Oil crash, the future of the electric car is very much up in the air… I therefore recommend a hybrid – at least during this transition period.
3. – Buy a bicycle to use as an alternate means of transportation whenever you can. Its very likely that the bicycle will, once again, become an important part of everyday life. There is an organization called peopleforbikes.org that is trying to promote the use of bikes and their pledge is follows: “I am for bikes. I’m for long rides and short rides. I’m for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride.”
