Peak oil is starting to rear its ugly head

[NJ5]

Kyros said:

I recall reading 30-40 years being what would happen in that case

I doubt that I think I heard that there is much more coal lying around than oil (in energy units) But even if it is true: We have at least 30-40 years of oil (peak doesn't mean that its gone after all) Add to that another 30-40 years of coal and you are around 2100.

Seriously in 1900 mankind created the car and the airplane. If we are not independent of fossil fuels by 2100 then scientific development will have been A LOT slower than I think .

All those people who say we should think about our children should also take into account that these children will have the technology of 2050 at their disposal. This should solve quite a few problems.

OK, I clearly have to search a bit on the coal issue to get a good answer. Don't forget though, that those statements like "there's enough oil/coal for 30-40 years" assume that all of that oil/coal is both retrievable and energetically worthy to retrieve. Maybe I'll have time tonight to learn a bit more.

According to wikipedia, the coal-to-oil process would be economically viable from $35 per oil barrel, which means it's more than worth it nowadays. Yet, it's not being done, maybe because of environmental issues?

I definitely think that investment in technology could solve this problem once and for all via a transition to renewables, what I'm starting to doubt is that this technology is being given enough importance to allow for a happy transition. I hope I'm wrong though.