Product Description

The world is about to run out of cheap oil and change dramatically. Within the next few years, global production will peak. Thereafter, even if industrial societies begin to switch to alternative energy sources, they will have less net energy each year to do all the work essential to the survival of complex societies. We are entering a new era, as different from the industrial era as the latter was from medieval times. In this book, Richard Heinberg places this momentous transition in historical context, showing how industrialism arose from the harnessing of fossil fuels, how competition to control access to oil shaped the geopolitics of the 20th century, and how contention for dwindling energy resources in the 21st century will lead to resource wars in the Middle East, Central Asia, and South America. He describes the likely impacts of oil depletion, and all of the energy alternatives. Predicting chaos unless the US - the world's foremost oil consumer - is willing to join with other countries to implement a global program of resource conservation and sharing, he also recommends a 'managed collapse' that might make way for a slower-paced, low-energy, sustainable society in the future.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #725921 in Books
• Published on: 2003-05-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 274 pages

Thom Hartmann, author of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight
‘If societies a century from now have managed to learn how to live sustainably, it may be at least partly because the advice in this timely book was heeded.’

Chellis Glendinning, Ph.D., author of When Technology Wounds
‘The Party’s Over is the book we need to reorient ourselves for a realistic future.’

About the Author
RICHARD HEINBERG is a journalist, educator, lecturer, and musician. He has lectured widely, appearing on national radio and television in various countries, and is the author of four previous books, including Cloning the Buddha, The Moral Impact of Biotechnology and A New Covenant with Nature: Notes on the End of Civilisation and the Renewal of Culture. The latter was a recipient of the 'Books to Live By' award of Body/Mind/Spirit magazine. His monthly MuseLetter was nominated in 1994 by Utne Reader for an Alternative Press Award and has been included in Utne's annual list of Best Alternative Newsletters. Heinberg is a member of the Core Faculty of New College of California, where he teaches courses on 'Energy and Society' and 'Culture, Ecology, and Sustainable Community'. He is also an accomplished violinist. He lives with his wife in a suburban home they have renovated for energy efficiency, where they grow much of their own food. Richard's website is: www.museletter.com