Oil, natural gas, and coal are called fossil fuels because they took millions of years to form. Everyone knows that, right? So it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that we are using fossil fuels at a rate far faster than they can be replenished -- ie, they are a non-renewable resource. Fossil fuels have also been called a "one-time gift." That gift fueled the Industrial Revolution, amazing advances in technology, and globalization.

While we are still far from running out of fossil fuels, there is growing evidence that we have passed, or will soon pass, the point of maximum global petroleum production. That's what "peak oil" is all about; we'll never produce any more oil than we do right now. That's a problem because demand for energy continues to increase, while the supply is declining. And no other combination of energy sources currently available can replace the amount of energy we've come to depend on.

At the same time, the world's climate is becoming destabilized due to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. So it's clear we must find ways to live with far less energy than we have for the past hundred or so years. The downside of the energy curve has been called the period of energy descent.

That's certainly an oversimplification of our energy situation. For a more detailed discussion, visit these sites:
www.energybulletin.net
www.theoildrum.com

While most observers believe that energy descent will present unprecedented challenges to humankind, many people are working on strategies for mitigating these challenges. Relocalization is one such strategy. We hope you will join us in our efforts to prepare Greater Milwaukee for the post-carbon future.

-David Holmgren, co-founder of Permaculture, from his 2002 book Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability