Car enthusiasts shouldn't lose too much sleep over global warming because it's probably too late to do anything about it. They may as well keep burning up the ashphalt whilst they still can, because believe me in a few years time very few of us will be able to afford petrol - or the much-trumpeted replacements.

The problem is that as oil runs out ALL alternatives begin to cost more as they all rely on oil originally. Electricity is generated by burning oil, using equipment developed through cheap oil technology; hydrogen relies on high tech equipment delivered through oil-based technology, using oil-based infrastructure and delivered, at least at first, by oil-burning vehicles; biofuel needs oil-based fertilizers to grow, oil-burning vehicles to deliver, oil-based technologies to build the infrastructure.

None of the 'alternatives' will ever be able to match cheap, readily available oil as a fuel source.

We're the last generation to use cars, the last generation to have easy access to cheap fuels - but we're also the last generation to have to work eighteen hour days to afford to live, to spend large amounts of time away from our families and friends, either working or stuck in traffic jams.

As Peak Oil hits we're all going to have to learn to live simpler, more nature-connected lives. We'll be possessions-poorer but relationships-richer.

Of course just as Peak Oil hits Climate Change Positive Feedbacks will probably give civilization the final kick over the edge.

So don't lose any sleep - your ability to keep driving will be the least of your worries over the next fifty years. Enjoy ...

Learn more about this author, Steve Sainsbury.
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