ANCHOR:
A number of respected petroleum geologists believe the peak of world oil supplies may be closer than you think, with in the next ten years. For each barrel of oil discover the world is consuming four. But on a brighter note, as our reporter Charlotte Cuthbertson discovers, there are initiatives set up that can help you and your family to make a smoother transition.
STORY:
Rising demand for oil has always been met by increased supply. But when global oil production reaches its peak in the not to distant future there will be shortages, much higher prices and increased international tension. So what does the peak oil crisis mean for you?
Now, you don’t have to trade your brand new Range Rover for a horse and cart just yet, but you can at least start warming up to the idea, as obvious things like transport, health care services and most importantly food production which rely heavily on oil, will all be affected.
There are also initiatives set up like Transition Towns which aim to guide communities into creating more low energy lifestyles.
[Juanita McKenzie, Transition Towns Volunteer]:
“I love the idea of building the resilience of community, we need some answers and peoples movements are the most powerful.”
About 300 towns around the world are actively working with the Transition town’s model.
But will there be enough time to build a sustainable infrastructure to carry us through this looming oil crisis?
[Samuel National Support for Transition Towns Movement New Zealand]:
“We have set a target of planting 20,000 fruit tree’s with in the next 10 years. We have identified a piece of public land. There will be 35 species of trees planted in that one area. That will help us to build resilience, rather than panic when the big trucks don’t arrive to fill us the Woolworths supermarket.”
There are some individuals out there who will not wait until the oil runs out and are instead taking steps to ensure their families will be well fed.
[Grange Gordon, Semi Self Sufficient Land Owner]:
“Great education for the kids, it’s a good footing for them to see what they can do. It’s good for them to see us their parents getting in there and digging in. It’s a family thing, it’s a collective thing. It’s about recycling it’s about not going to the supermarket, the plastic world. And fresh is best. Fresh is the ultimate. And anyone who eats home grown knows that the flavor is the way it’s supposed to be.”
So start growing your veggies, insulate your homes, get on your bikes, and we’ll race you to a more sustainable future. This is Charlotte Cuthbertson, NTD, Wellington, New Zealand.
Duration : 0:1:52
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