Mar 30
2009

Restaurants during Earth Hour

Restaurants during Earth Hour

On Saturday evening I made my way to Poelaert, by the Palais du Justice in Brussels. I waited until 8:30 pm and watched as the lights of Grand Place in the near distance and the Atomium on the horizon, were extinguished for Earth Hour. I was in a position to see many houses and blocks of flats switch off their lights and use candle power for an hour.

I then walked over to Grand Place. The area of Brussels I passed through has numerous Art Shops, bars and restaurants. All were open for business as usual and appeared to have made no effort to turn the lights off for Earth Hour. Upon arrival at Grand Place, the lack of lighting was instantly apparent. Once my eyes had become accustomed to the low light, the Hotel de Ville with its tall fine spire stood out against a dark navy blue sky across which dramatic clouds passed slowly. It looked more imposing than if it had been floodlit. Of course there were two or three bars and restaurants open in Grand Place, all using electric lights. It seems that when it comes to preventing catastrophic Climate Change businesses just don’t get it.

Last week, I had looked for bars and restaurants that were celebrating Earth Hour with a function, but to no avail. While Earth Hour was taking place, I walked in vain trying to find a candle lit bar or restaurant to have a drink, but instead passed establishments lit up like Christmas. What a shame, that a restaurant or bar couldn’t join in the vote for a safer future and provide a wonderful ambience for an hour at the same time.

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Mar 18
2009

Production of oil peaked in 2008 at 81.73 million barrels / day according to The Oil Drum.  The world credit crunch / economic recession has now lead to a decline in demand and hence production. Of course when the economic climate improves there will be increased demand for liquid oil there may be second larger peak in production from oilfields with enough capacity, but it is not thought likely.

The Oil Drum and even the Financial Times have analysis of what it means socially, politically and economically, I’ll leave that discussion to them. Instead I’ll look at some of the implications for travel.

World liquid oil production from major fields

World liquid oil production from major fields

It will mean increasing transport costs where liquid oil is used as the main fuel source.  Car owners will feel the strain immediately. Airlines will suffer again and fuel surcharges / seat prices will rise and more will be forced into administration. shipping, buses, taxis and diesel trains will have to increase prices. Those doubling of air passenger numbers by 2030, spouted by the airlines, airports and governments look a little dubious in light of this. Why build second or third runways or double the airline fleet?

Of course a shortage of cheap oil will severely dent the chances of a quick recovery from the present recession.  Meaning the travel industry will suffer from lost revenues and consumers will struggle to afford that travel break.  It will mean less long haul, short breaks based around flights and more long term travel opportunities, perhaps taking a job swap in a different part of the world and staying some time.  Perhaps you have some ideas for travel in a future without cheap oil?

It is why consumers will have to consider carefully their travel plan. Not only does fossil fuel consumption contribute to Global Climate Change, but it brings us all closer to a Post Peak Oil world.  A world where your grandchildren are unlikely to fly in a jet aircraft, where food is scarcer, a world with more wars over oil, water and food.

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Trackback  •  Posted in Peak Oil