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

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.

Treading lightly as we travel this beautiful world will ensure that our successors can enjoy it as much as we do. I do not endorse luxury travel as it consumes a lot more resources than budget travel. For example a business class traveller can take up the space of up to six passengers on a budget airline. This means that passenger will probably use at least four times as much aviation fuel per passenger mile and emit at least four times as much CO2 as a passenger on budget airline. Of course train and bus passengers will consume even less.

This blog has been started to discuss these issues and share experiences and tips for travellers who are want keep the cost of their travel to themselves and the environment to a minimum.