Speaking Out

The nightly news is filled with predictions of global warming, climate change, uncontrolled population growth and pandemic disease. But what are the consequences as we begin to run out of cheap oil?

We are faced with a global oil-production peak—the point where the ability to extract oil begins to contract. The United States reached its own oil peak around 1970 with U.S. production in steady decline since then. Today almost two-thirds of the oil that feeds America’s voracious appetite is imported.

The availability of cheap oil has accelerated a population shift from rural to urban and suburban areas. With what appeared to be unlimited supplies of cheap energy, farm machinery grew larger and the acreage needed to increase in order to pay for it. Farms got larger and families were displaced.

Oil also fed the “green revolution” by providing pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides. As agricultural production grew, so did the world’s population, now at over 6 billion people.
Cheap oil was the source of the growth that took place during most of the 20th century, and it is the primary transportation fuel used throughout the world today. Richard Heinberg, author of The Party’s Over: Oil War and the Fate of Industrial Societies says, “We don’t know exactly when the global peak will happen, but it will almost certainly occur in the early part of this century and possibly as soon as this year.” Heinberg said that in 2006.

The major difference between this oil crisis and the oil crises of the 1970’s is that this time it will be permanent—which may also exacerbate the consequences of climate change, epidemic disease and overpopulation.

China is now the number two consumer of oil in the world. China’s industrialization has made it dependent on oil imports that we in the United States also depend on—perhaps setting the stage for future conflict over control of these resources. As oil depletes, we will be required to downsize, rescale and rethink virtually everything we do. We will be impacted in just about every area of our lives. The cost of using fossil-fueled vehicles will become prohibitive. Clean municipal water may be threatened. Heating and air conditioning, and electric appliances, computers, and entertainment systems will be at risk.

James Howard Kunstler, author of The Long Emergency says, “No combinations of alternative fuels will allow us to run American life the way we have been used to running it, or even a substantial fraction of it.

“The wonders of steady technological progress achieved throughout the reign of cheap oil have lulled us into a kind of Jiminy Cricket syndrome, leading many Americans to believe that anything we wish for hard enough will come true. These days, even people who ought to know better are wishing ardently for a seamless transition from fossil fuels to their putative replacements.”

I believe the church can and should take a leading position in alerting our communities to the very real consequences inherent in a world without cheap oil. There are many things that can be done to prepare:

• The first and most important thing any of us should do is to educate ourselves about the realities and consequences of “peak oil” and then help our families, churches and neighbors understand what we are up against.

• Practice community in your church and get to know your neighbors.

• Devise strategies for sharing labor, tools and skills within the church and with your neighbors.

• Adapt to living a simpler life with fewer creature comforts.

• Eat seasonally and locally grown food, and grow as much of your food as possible—perhaps in a community garden at your church.

• Take steps to reduce energy use at home (e.g. use compact fluorescent bulbs, replace single pane glazing, choose energy efficient appliances).

• Gradually work at reducing your nonessential energy use.

• Devote some effort toward food preservation and storage.

• Reduce or eliminate debt.

• Drive less.

Mennonites have a long history of community, agrarian enterprise, simplicity and service—traits that will serve us well in a time of uncertainty. This history could potentially provide us with the opportunity to return to simpler, healthier and more community.

John Gray is pastor of East Peoria (Ill.) Mennonite Church.