1. invent a new renewable energy device via DIY methods and teach others how to make their own renewable energy devices.

2. Set up a competition to see who can self sustain for 6 months with $500 monthly pay and using current electricity tariff ($/kWh) and food prices as a simulation of the future higher spike in energy prices due to peaking of oil and gas. Those come prepared to win that prize money will have the solution of self sustaining way.

Proper rules apply so that they cannot cheat by using some sources that might not be available in the future like sample food at supermarket or free tap water at public toilets)

Yes, unfortunately the political positions are always 5 years slower then their real actions as they have to analyze and debate over a period of time before they can take decisive actions. I bet It will take the oil prices spike to $100 before they declare a state of emergency…

What I was trying to do with this post is to think about what this all means for my local situation. At the end I referred to How vulnerable to oil shocks are we, really? which is from http://www.theoildrum.com/node/2849 where that writer notes his 3 strategies and examples.

The main thing is to engage locally and prepare as much as possible.

I find that the best energy site in the world right now is The Oil Drum…a bunch of academics just trying to educate folks on energy. Definitely worth the time:

http://theoildrum.com

check out especially their tags on Ghawar/Saudi Arabia (you’ll figure it out) and the buttons just under the TOD head graphic.

There’s way too much to learn.