Key concepts

Peak oil
Extraction of oil is at an all time high. Predictions based upon geological surveys are that production cannot grow and that demand will exceed production as more and more 'undeveloped' countries join the industrial race. Any oil that can be reached will cost more to extract. All these factors together strongly suggest that we are leaving the era of cheap oil. And oil is not just in our cars and heating systems: it makes many of our textlies and medicines, water pipes, carrier bags .... the list is endless. Given that our culture has progressed on the back of oil since the 1950s, it seems reasonable to suggest that fundamental changes will result from passing this 'peak oil' point in our history.

Climate Change
The last decade has seen records in weather - hotter, wetter, windier, earlier. A glance at the official recorded statistics show that there is a massive amount of extra energy in the atmosphere. Predictions are that this will increase resulting in even more extremes with hurricanes, torrents, droughts, floods and all that this will entail. It does not take much to imagine what this will mean for us all.