Fact sheets are where you will find summaries of current world enrivronmental and social issues in a context that informs you about what you can do about them.
Peak oil crisis
The term peak oil basically refers to the point of where it becomes increasingly expensive to extract the oil from the ground. This is thought to be a crisis that would occur over a short period, any time between 2005 and 2020. It is generally thought to mean that as consumers we will be subject not only to price rises for fuel at the bowser (up to 400% virtually overnight), but it will mean oil based products and transported goods will become more expensive.
One big concern is that food will become unaffordable. Pesticides and herbicides that are vital in food production are oil based and will be subject to the same price rise as food processing and transport of food to the market place.
Ultimately, peak oil is expected to force big changes to our lifestyles. Google returns almost 7million hits about "Peak oil". Weather the crisis occurs with as much impact as some experts think or otherwise, use of oil impacts on the environment and society in many negative ways and we ought do something about it.
Solutions for peak oil are in your own hands. The best way to make a difference in your own life is to reduce your dependance on oil, oil based products and encourage those that are reducing their dependancies.
Some of the more practical long-term visions are for a society based on local community dependance, where all human needs (such as food, water, clothes, shelter, etc.) can be sourced locally. There are many stories of individuals beginning this process by turning to more self-sufficient lifestyles such as growing some of your own food and trading with local growers. Supporting local business and local community organisations keeps money locally for local progress. There's a start on the subject anyway. Hopefully more solutions to come.
Nuclear Energy
"Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause no of them can stop the times." Bob Marley, Redemption Song.
(more to come)
Solutions to reducing the need for nuclear energy are within our grasp. Reducing the need for power stations is the most effective way that individuals can make their own impact. If we use less energy in our daily lives as we work rest and play, together we can make a difference.
Water Shortages
Mikael Gorbachev says that "future wars will be over water" (Earth Dialogues Brisbane, Jul 2006). He made another valid point that while dams may increase the amount of the water resource other resources like agricultural land is lost.
Solutions to the water crisis are achievable within our daily lives. Reducing the amount of water we use is an effective tool for making a difference. Attaching a rainwater tank to your house could be a life sustaining choice one day so consider that carefully. Reuse of water in the home is easy however sometimes not encouraged by councils. Water used for cleaning can often be used again in the garden where one may be able to grow food more effectively. Recycled water is in use in London and other major centres but attracts skeptics for various reasons and uses more energy to produce than other solutions.
Terrorism and War
(more to come)
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