Why does it matter to save energy?

Peak Oil

The term Peak Oil refers to the time when world oil production peaks, and it's otherwise know as 'the end of cheap oil', or increasingly in the media as 'the energy crisis'. The problem is that supply will decline while demand increases, this will push up prices.

It is generally understood that world-wide Peak Oil is sometime in the not too distant future, perhaps 2010 (see a graph or a video), but between about 2005 (yes behind us) and about 2015. Some illustrative graphs can be found at The Oil Drum, and there is a 4 minute Peak Oil video.

The International Energy Agency has forecast a global oil supply crunch in 2012, over 60 of the 98 oil producing countries have peaked, and another 14 countries could peak in the next decade (more). Peak oil in the USA was 1970, in the UK it was 1999. The decline may be steep as oil producing countries limit exports. Gas and coal are also expected to peak though later, and at different times (perhaps 2020 for gas).

By learning how to save energy in the form of oil, gas and coal, we will lessen the impact of the inevitable price increases (which could be dramatic).

Further reading? Lots of references can be found on the Power Switch site.

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