I don't think I've made myself clear to a lot of folks...
Globalization, Export economies, people not starving right now, require one thing...
Cheap energy. Without cheap energy there is no world economy. People who relied on labor jobs suddenly have none. The problems only grow in scope when you think about it. Its not a pretty picture. Its a horrible, sad, depressing picture. And who's to say it won't happen?
Its as simple as this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_law_of_thermodynamics
The sustainable energy systems of Ethanol, Biodiesel, Solar, hydroelectric, biomass they all require ENORMOUS energy inputs to create them.
Imagine how costly it will be to change all the cars to diesel engines and ethanol engines. To fabricate all of those PV cells and generators for Hydroelectric dams, not to mention the power grid updates and refinery upgrades to the new fuel. you'll need new pipelines, new storage systems, concrete, steel, copper...
All of those things are expensive. If you look at the cost in terms of energy, the potential for the energy not to be there to create those systems is ENORMOUS. Now, what makes the situation even worse? What you wonder?
Cheap Oil ended in 2004. Its gone. Do you know how much energy it will require just to pump the same amount? Much more than it has been. The Oil industry is going to need massive inputs of investment just to get the same output it has in the past. The ultimate EROEI (energy return on energy invested) Will shrink dramatically either way. Well, demand is set to grow BY LEAPS AND F****N BOUNDS IN CHINA, INDIA, SOUTHAMERICA, and yes North American and Europe. Now, when we try switching over to renewable systems its going to raise demand even more. Do you have any idea the scope of the problem yet? We could go to war to steal all the worlds oil and send it straight to the U.S. It wouldn't change anything. In fact it would bring about chaos even faster.
If you really understood the scope of the problem, you'd be preparing. You'd realize that hope, is a silly thing.
And in a few years, when you're hungry, and walking miles to get a meal, you'll realize how capitalism killed itself.
Our energy needs grew too large, for geology to support us. When we finally made the change, the leap was too great. Capitalism killed itself.
Sad too, because Capitalism is a great thing. WHEN THE ENERGY IS THERE. I'm going to bed, good night.
cheers.