On the surface it is easy to assume that the global oil calculation is just a simple matter of cumulative volumetric mathematics. In other words, calculate the size of oil deposits globally, add them all up, and there you are: the magical global oil figure. Factor in the oil that’s been used to date and the projected future demand curves, plot them out on some graph paper and not only will you get the Oil Peak but also the year when theoretically there will be none left. Unfortunately, like many things in life, it’s just not that straightforward. In fact it would be fair to say that the whole business is extremely complex and is far from a simple mathematical calculation.

It took place in Glencree from the 26th to the 28th of July. The purpose of the weekend was to plan the activities until the end of the year and discuss opportunities for the implementation and spreading of Cap and Share and how to move forward.
Cap and Share (C&S) emerged in late 2006 from the think tank Feasta, the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability, a network based in Dublin.

An article explaining the concept of Cap and Share, (which empowers the individual into making positive choices) was published in the Spring edition of LP. Here is a brief overview:

Escape from Suburbia, is the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning film on Peak Oil., ‘End of Suburbia’. It is being premiered in Ireland, at the Green Living Experience, on 26th August in Castlewellan, Co. Down by the Belfast Film Café.

Released in Canada in late June, Escape from Suburbia chronicles the journey of three people, (Kate Holloway, Philip Botwinick and Carol Steinman) as they struggle to do what they feel is best within the coming era after Peak Oil. Whereas ‘End of Suburbia’, (2004) contained many dire warnings from leading oil industry experts and academics on the coming end of the age of oil, Escape from Suburbia takes the issues raised by Peak Oil to a more human level. The film examines the choices open to all of us - individuals and communities - as the supply of plentiful and cheap oil comes to an end. The director does a wonderful job of dealing with the complex layers involved with transportation, urban density, local farming, industrial agriculture, over-population, renewable energy and governmental attitudes toward peak oil.

Institute of Physics in Ireland, Spring Weekend Meeting 30th March – 1st April 2007 in Birr, Co. Offaly.

This year’s Physics in Ireland Spring meeting was held with the physics community looking at the possibility of developing fission as a form of energy production and in the process helping the climate by not producing any nasty greenhouse gases much blamed for climate change.