Over at Organic Jesus awhile ago(site is now dormant) Brandon Rhodes did a series talking about The Age of Less(here, here, here and here). The basic idea is that shifting forces in the global economy and us hitting peak oil will bring to an end our current age of prosperity. No more will we be able to purchase all kinds of cheap stuff. It will be an Age of Less. His focus is on christians and the church(which is a worthwhile focus), but the principle applies throughout our country. Our current way of life is not sustainable.
World crude oil production has been slowly falling and unless it turns around 2005 will go down in history as the peak year. Besides oil, issues with the US dollar, the sub-prime housing crisis and the subsequent slowing US economy have kicked off the age for many in the US already. Welcome to the Age of Less.
…there are those who believe fresh water will become a less item in a shorter time period than oil - thoughts?
I think a water shortage is a much bigger deal than an oil shortage. Our fresh water resources are drying up some but I don’t think there is any panic yet as our neighbors to the north still are okay. I’ve half-joked that in my lifetime we would invade Canada for their water. Stil, water is a huge deal and something we(me personally and us collectively) need to conserve a lot better. It doesn’t really seem like anyone is showing any leadership in relation to water conservation on a larger scale which is disappointing.