Bartlett

When Bartlett made his first speech on the topic a little over a year ago it felt like something of a watershed. However, I'm in no position to judge how influencial he has really been. Apparently, George Bush has thanked him for his leadership on Peak Oil however what's needed in response is a much more tangible effort than that.

It's encouraging that the issue of Peak Oil is leading people from all walks of life and politicial persuasions towards similar conclusions; conclusions which position lifestyle changes and relocalisation efforts as central to the solutions. So while the solutions are mostly local,, top down co-ordination is required for providing resources, financial support, education programs, and helpful legislative changes, to allow people to help themselves, as well as infastructure and renewable energy investments.

Roscoe Bartlett

I was supposed to go somewhere yesterday afternoon when I turned on C-Span and saw a somewhat stooped old guy on the House floor talking about the end of oil supplies, whipping out one chart after another. The guy was obviously too scientific to be a politician. He looked and sounded like a cross between Mr. Wizard and Johnny Appleseed, as he explained that the depletion of oil will cause great economic and possibly civic disruption unless we get on the stick now.  read more »

As I soon discovered, this prophetic figure is Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland, who turns 80 in two weeks.