Post Carbon Newsletter - Is Obama Sweating Oil?

   contents

   1. local dollars, local sense
   2. latest publications
   3. fellows in the press
   4. energy bulletin picks
   5. transition us update
   6. events

Oil prices have shot up in recent weeks and many are predicting record high $5/gallon gas prices by summer. But what's behind the steep increase and what can we expect in the months and years ahead? While it's hard to predict the future, one thing is clear: Building community resilience -- our capacity to respond to shocks and work together to build sustainable and equitable local economies -- is a critical strategy. This month we're excited to announce the release of Local Dollars, Local Sense, the first in our series of Community Resilience Guides aimed at spreading proven models for bringing our money, food, and energy back home.

local dollars, local sense

latest publications

Read, watch or listen to the latest content by our Fellows, Board, Advisers and Staff anytime on our website. Here are some selections from the last month:

		$5 Gas = Long, Hot, Crazy Summer Article by Richard Heinberg • February 29, 2012 Here in northern California gasoline is now retailing for $4.20 a gallon. Prices haven’t been this high since mid-2008. Forecasts for $5 per gallon gas in the US this summer are now commonplace. What’s driving prices up?.. Read more

		Energy Geopolitics Lecture by Daniel Lerch • February 29, 2012 The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Against the backdrop of European crisis and and high U.S. unemployment, what does this changing energy landscape mean.. Watch

		A Fog of Mendacity Post by James Howard Kunstler • February 28, 2012 Those frightening sounds, sights, and odors on the wind this foreboding snowless winter — like emanations from some back ward of a global psychiatric hospital — are the signs of a nation going completely mad... Read more

		Dangerous Ideas Post by Chris Martenson • February 23, 2012 We are at a key turning moment in history. The actions that we will soon decide to take will be determined by the beliefs we hold... Read more

		Humanity's Growing Impact on the World's Freshwater Post by Sandra Postel • February 20, 2012 As the human population has climbed past seven billion, and the consumption per person of everything from burgers to blue jeans has risen inexorably, the finiteness of Earth's freshwater... Read more

		'Breathing new life into the concept of resilience': the notes from my 'Four Thought' talk Article by Rob Hopkins • February 17, 2012 Here are the notes of the talk I gave that went out just now on Radio 4's 'Four Thought' programme. You can download the podcast... Read more

		The Fight of the Century Article by Richard Heinberg • February 16, 2012 As economies contract, a global popular uprising confronts power elites over access to the essentials of human existence. What are the underlying dynamics of the conflict, and how is it likely to play out? .. Read more

		Arthur E. Berman on Kunstlercast: Magical Thinking and Fracking Arthur E. Berman interviwed by Jim Kunstler • February 7, 2012 Art speaks to Jim tonight about the history of shale gas "fracking" and a lot of the "magical thinking" surrounding the prospects of America... Listen

		McKibben on the Colbert Report Bill McKibben • February 7, 2012 Bill talks about the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline and calls on Colbert Nation to sign his petition opposing its construction... Read more

		Bill Rees' Last Lecture Article about Bill Rees by Justin Ritchie • February 2, 2012 Last December, after more than 40 years teaching at the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP) at the University of British Columbia, Bill Rees gave his last lecture as a full-time professor... Read more

		Why Northern Gateway is unnecessary Video interview David Hughes • February 2, 2012 The federal government is holding public hearings on the controversial Northern Gateway project, which would ship crude oil from Alberta to a port on the west coast... Watch

		Bill Rees Epiphany animation Animation about Bill Rees • February 2, 2012 Post Carbon Fellow Bill Rees Story in creatively presented in animation.... Read more

		The Peak Oil Crisis: Election 2012 Article by Tom Whipple • February 2, 2012 If current trends continue, gasoline prices and U.S. energy policy seem destined to play a larger role in the political debate prior to the November elections than ever before... Read more

		Occupy Educated: Richard Heinberg Q&A Video interview and Q&A with Richard Heinberg • February 2, 2012 A live event with Richard Heinberg, author of The End of Growth recorded on January 30th for Occupy Educated..... Read more

fellows and advisers in the press

energy bulletin highlights

Below is a selection of recent articles and media appearing on Energy Bulletin.

energy bulletin featured articles

	The Way is Shut by Tom Murphy, Do the Math When I first approached the topic of societal energy in 2004, I became aware for the first time that our energy future was not in the bag, and proceeded to explore alternative after alternative to judge the viability and potential pitfalls of various options...Read more

	Will peak oil spell the end of capitalism? (review of Fleeing Vesuvius) by Stuart Jeanne Bramhall, Dissident Voice Fleeing Vesuvius deliberately emphasizes fossil fuel depletion more than climate change, owing to the major role it played (according to the authors) in the 2008 economic collapse. The first and most important section of the book, "Energy Availability" addresses the economics of fossil fuel depletion...Read more

	How is the Sharing economy different from the Anarchy economy? by Randy White, Shareable Most people in today's society are profoundly helpless. Try to imagine what you would do if the water stopped coming out of the taps and filling up your toilet tank. As America and perhaps the global industrial system... Read more

energy bulletin featured media

	Oil executive son's powerful testimony at Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline joint review panel Lee Brain, son of an oil man, receives a standing ovation and brings a crowd to tears after delivering powerful & inspirational testimony in front of the Northern Gateway Pipeline Joint Review Panel in Prince Rupert on February 18, 2012... Watch

	Soil: From Dirt to Lifeline by Fred Kirschenmann TEDX Talks Fred Kirschenmann has been involved in sustainable agriculture and food issues for most of his life. He currently serves as both a Distinguished Fellow at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University... Watch

	World oil supply debate between ex-Shell chief and ASPO-USA professor by Karen Rybold-Chin University of Wisconsin Energy Institute, ASPO-USA et al The former president of Shell Oil Company debated Tad Patzek, Chair, Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, University of Texas on Feb 14 at the University of Wisconsin — Madison. The subject was: "The World Oil Supply: Looming Crisis or New Abundance?"... Watch

transition US update

A monthly update from the US regional hub of the international Transition movement.

Transition US is excited to announce our 2012 Transition Challenge! You can join the challenge from May 1-31st to create new gardens, green homes and build community resilience. For the month of May, thousands of citizens from around the country will pick up shovels and tools to help construct rainwater harvesting systems, install solar panels, make energy efficiency improvements, and share garden know-how with their friends and neighbors. All while educating and empowering community, and supporting local businesses. Sound inspiring? Read more and register your action here >>

In the last month, we have grown by another three Transition Initiatives! Welcome to Esalen Beyond Green (CA), Transition Litchfield (CT) and Transition Ourway (CO). This means there are now 114 official Transition Initiatives around the country. Upcoming Transition Trainings are being offered in Big Sur, CA, Stone Ridge, NY and UNM Albuquerque, NM. If you're curious about what these initiatives are up to, read our February Roundup of What’s Happening out in the World of Transition.

events

View our events calendar

New Frontier: The Political Crossroads of Our Environmental Future March 1, 2012, Eugene, OR Post Carbon Senior Fellow Richard Heinberg will give the keynote address at the 30th Annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference... Further event information.

Eugene Sustainability talk March 3, 2012, Eugene, OR Post Carbon Senior Fellow Richard Heinberg will speak about his newest book, The End of Growth. Suggested donation for Richard's talk is $5-10... Further event information.

Majora Carter at DRF March 6, 2012, Danville, VA Post Carbon Fellow Majora Carter will be the next speaker for the Danville Regional Foundation Insititute of Advanced Learning and Research... Further event information.

Day Long Workshop in Princeton March 13, 2012, Princeton, NJ Local Dollars, Local Sense author Michael Shuman will conduct a day-long workshop with the Princeton Merchants Association... Further event information.

Food for Thought: Richard Heinberg March 14, 2012, Gainesville, FL Post Carbon Fellow Richard Heinberg author of The End of Growth, will speak as part of the University of Florida 'Food for Thought' campaign... Further event information.

Oregon Governor's Conference on Tourism March 18-20, 2012, Portland, OR Local Dollars, Local Sense author Michael Shuman will conduct a day-long workshop with the Princeton Merchants Association... Further event information.

Economics of Happiness Conference March 23, 2012, Berkeley, CA Post Carbon Fellows Richard Heinberg, Michael Shuman, and Bill McKibben will be presenting at the Economics of Happiness Conference. As crises intensify, a chorus of citizen voices is rising up in response. People are demanding an end to the exploitation of the many for the profit of the few.... Further event information.

Bay Path College Women's Leadership Conference March 23, 2012, Longmeadow, MA Post Carbon Fellow Majora Carter will be one of the keynote speakers at this conference. This year's conference theme is Lead With Compassion. Keynote speakers will explore how the choices we make in life can lead to differing outcomes... Further event information.

Richard Heinberg speaks at University of Albany March 27, 2012, Albany, NY Renowned author and educator Richard Heinberg will be at Page Hall of UAlbany on Tuesday, March 27th at 7 PM. He will speak on The End of Growth... Further event information.

Bill McKibben book signing and talk April 17, 2012, Nevada City, CA Post Carbon Fellow Bill McKibben will be speaking at the Miner's Foundry. The talk will be followed by a book signing... Further event information.

Public Lecture: The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality April 24, 2012, Chico, CA Post Carbon Senior Fellow Richard Heinberg will speak on his latest book The End of Growth at this public event in the Colusa Hall Conference Center, CSU, Chico... Further event information.

Image credit: Dry river bed in Adelaide, South Australia — Michael Coghlan/flickr

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Post Carbon Newsletter - Is Obama Sweating Oil?