World oil supplies are set to run out faster than expected, warn scientists

[mawilson 2,133]

Can they afford oil at $200+?

No.

Can we?

Yes. This could be the best thing that happened to us - a way to squeeze out China.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

No.

Yes. This could be the best thing that happened to us - a way to squeeze out China.

I don't think we can afford $200 either. Look what $148 oil did. It had some contribution to the recession worldwide.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I don't think we can afford $200 either. Look what $148 oil did. It had some contribution to the recession worldwide.

And we didn't even need a shortage to get to $148...

[spookyturtle 9,466]

And we didn't even need a shortage to get to $148...

Quite true, that was all greed that got us there and into this recession.

[mawilson 2,133]

I don't think we can afford $200 either. Look what $148 oil did. It had some contribution to the recession worldwide.

Americans will get used to $4/gallon gas. Europeans have been paying $8/gallon for decades.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Americans will get used to $4/gallon gas. Europeans have been paying $8/gallon for decades.

That's a good point. I thought that Europe was in the $4-5 dollar range and then $8 when oil spiked at $148? It's not just the price of gas, food went up when up when oil did, and surprise, oil came down but food didn't. The problem here was the price increase was literally overnight. The US as a nation hasn't adopted fuel efficient cars as most of the world has.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Americans will get used to $4/gallon gas. Europeans have been paying $8/gallon for decades.

Europeans aren't nearly as dependent on cars as we are.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Europeans aren't nearly as dependent on cars as we are.

That's true. We'd be better off to gradually become less dependent, by expanding mass transit.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

That's true. We'd be better off to gradually become less dependent, by expanding mass transit.

If we had started weaning off oil back in 1973, we'd be there today. Now we have to wait another 30 years. I really hope the lesson has been learned this time. Depending on people who hate your very way of life to supply you with what makes that life possible is a frightening thought. And idiotic. We need to get our butts in gear and take a mulitfaceted approach to this.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If we had started weaning off oil back in 1973, we'd be there today. Now we have to wait another 30 years. I really hope the lesson has been learned this time. Depending on people who hate your very way of life to supply you with what makes that life possible is a frightening thought. And idiotic. We need to get our butts in gear and take a mulitfaceted approach to this.

I think some of it is the rugged individualism spirit that is characteristic of Americans. But necessity is the mother of invention, and more Americans will resign to the idea of using mass transit as the main source of getting around vs. driving an individual car.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Galt's gallstones

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I think some of it is the rugged individualism spirit that is characteristic of Americans. But necessity is the mother of invention, and more Americans will resign to the idea of using mass transit as the main source of getting around vs. driving an individual car.

We need more mass transit, and we need good mass transit. And there are many areas where this is not going to be practical, so we need fuel efficient cars and alternative fuel cars. We need more than one alternative energy source. If we don't get going on this, the transition will probably be unpleasant, to say the least.

[NickD 203]

Some comments from reading posts.

Better solution to hybrid vehicles is to ban traffic lights and stop signs.

Reason gas is much higher in Europe is tax, US finds different ways to tax us, and just about anyway you can imagine.

Methane was not mentioned as a viable fuel, at least a 4,000 year know supply, the major cause of global warming, and if we don't use it, may even have a flash fire clear around the earth. They use to transport gasoline with a horse and a tanker wagon, infrastructure would have to be built for methane.

Only a token effort has been done to develop nuclear fusion, our oceans are loaded with deuterium, an endless supply.

It was thought in the 19th century, we knew everything about science, the entire universe is energy and who knows what we may discover next?

Difference between freedom and slavery is low cost energy, and that is the only difference.

For way too long now, we have had an oil controlled congress, that is still our major obstacle today.

[mawilson 2,133]

Europeans aren't nearly as dependent on cars as we are.

They are also poorer. Their taxes and prices are higher and wages - the same or lower.

[mawilson 2,133]

I think some of it is the rugged individualism spirit that is characteristic of Americans. But necessity is the mother of invention, and more Americans will resign to the idea of using mass transit as the main source of getting around vs. driving an individual car.

Why not switch to electric cars? We can generate enough electricity to power those. Wind, solar, nuclear, etc.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Some comments from reading posts.

Better solution to hybrid vehicles is to ban traffic lights and stop signs.

Reason gas is much higher in Europe is tax, US finds different ways to tax us, and just about anyway you can imagine.

Methane was not mentioned as a viable fuel, at least a 4,000 year know supply, the major cause of global warming, and if we don't use it, may even have a flash fire clear around the earth. They use to transport gasoline with a horse and a tanker wagon, infrastructure would have to be built for methane.

Only a token effort has been done to develop nuclear fusion, our oceans are loaded with deuterium, an endless supply.

It was thought in the 19th century, we knew everything about science, the entire universe is energy and who knows what we may discover next?

Difference between freedom and slavery is low cost energy, and that is the only difference.

For way too long now, we have had an oil controlled congress, that is still our major obstacle today.

I'm going to have to agree with you on all your points.