First, I hoped every newspaper in America would run this column. If that happened, I’m sure more Americans would wake up to the fact that we’re living on borrowed time. Common sense tells me we cannot ignore the inevitable.
With all the people in the world (China, 1.3 billion; India, 1 billion) and America consuming 25 percent of the world’s oil, the bubble is about to burst. I’m sure Americans remember waiting in gas lines not too many years ago.
Well, if we continue to ignore this issue, there won’t be any gas lines to wait in.
Second, I think automakers have got to stop making these large gas-guzzling vehicles. Think about it. How many families really need the RVs, SUVs, and minivans that are jamming our parking lots? Automakers can continue making them, but if there is no gasoline, who will buy?
Third, Americans must conserve oil if for no other reason than to support our servicemen and women. As Gilchrist states, this is not about pain at the pumps. Peak oil represents the biggest threat to U.S. security in the history of our nation.
Kenneth S. Deffeyes, Princeton University professor, has studied the issue and has declared November 24, 2005, as World Oil Peak Day.
With drastic declining supplies in the future, Deffeyes isn’t saying this might happen, he’s saying it is already in progress.
I’m suggesting all Americans give it serious thought and drastically change our lifestyles. If not, we will be crying about much more than the price of a gallon of gasoline.
Mary Lou Peterson
Whispering Pines
