Ok so oil is running out?

• 1

  Renewable energy is part of the answer and I agree that increasing oil prices will mean market forces drive the development of more sustainable fuels. The possibility that economic / environmental factors will drive big changes not just in what we use but how we use it is even more interesting.

  At the moment, the dominant language in the media and politics is all about what is running out and what we have to lose if we don’t do something fast. Many of the discussions about sustainable living even now focus on finding new ways of replacing what we fear will run out so that we can continue to live just the same life.

  We will make a genuine transition to more sustainable forms of living when we begin to see them as an opportunity for a better way of life rather than a clever and/or trendy way to continue as we are. The speed of life is a good example. Our society has developed to the point where it is culturally unnaceptable not to live as fast as possible. This is not about people being arrogant it is about them simply conforming to the social norms of the world they find themselves in to survive and be normal. Rising levels of mental health problems, particularly amongst younger communities, is just one consequence of this way of living.

  There was an interesting article in yesterday’s Guardian about the links between slower living, sustainable living and a more positive enjoyable way of life. http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving/2008/07/slow_down_to_save_the_planet.html
  Check it out, it you have a free moment.

  Robin on July 25th, 2008
• 2

  Many thanks for the comment. Interesting when my local council ran a workshop for a crosssection of the community most people wanted to create a new kind of community based on local trading, care for the environment and social welfare. However, the ‘leaders’ of many of the local organistaions be they business, council, sports associations, etc. wwanted to great a more vibrant economy - e.g. a faster, more competitive, richer version of today’s lifestyle.

  I find this most interesting….do our ‘leaders’ reflect the wishes of the people or their wishes to succeed. Perhaps some of the greatest leaders we have seen across the planet champion social change.

  OneToRemember on July 26th, 2008
• 3

  Our team at jobswork.co.uk thinks this is quite a good topic. Perhaps we can actually find some answers from the comments. Thanks guys.

  Jobswork on September 16th, 2008
• 4

  Oil prices are going up and down at the moment inline with the confidence n the world’s banking system - proving that oil price has little to do with supply and demand…. just making money…..

  utilityboy on September 16th, 2008

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