2006-07-26 05:53:20 · 10 answers · asked by soar 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Ah, yes...now we have the lovely term "Peak Oil" for all the fearmongers to fret over. Bottom line, it doesn't matter one damn bit how much oil is left. When it *really* starts to run out (which is quite unlikely in any of our lifetimes) the price will go up to such a point that we will find an alternative. Humans are very good at adapting and there are many alternatives...it's just that, for now, those alternatives are more expensive. When the time comes, the free market will determine which alternative, or variety of alternatives we proceed with. But, hey, humans are also pretty good at making themselves feel guilty just for existing. No matter what alternative we choose in the future, the fearmongers will just as eagerly tell you how horrible it is to the environment, that it too is about to run out, and that it's all the fault of greedy capitalists.
2006-07-26 06:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The US has about 500 (conservative) to 1000 (projected) years worth of oil at current consumption, within the actual borders of the United States. The rest of the world has about the same amount for thier own use.
Realistically, this is a non issue. The world is right on the cusp of nuclear fusion power. Clean, safe, limitless energy with no possible use in warfare. It's perhaps 10 years away now. After it becomes a reality no one will use oil or coal (let alone nuclear fission) anymore.
We have pleeeeenty of oil for generation after generation, let alone the extremely short time oil has left as a source of energy in the world economy.
Heck, we have 500 years of oil just as shale oil, in the US:
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2005/RAND_MG414.sum.pdf#search='United%20States%20shale%20oil'
2006-07-26 05:59:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is sure how long the Earth's oil supply will last. Based on current estimates, about 20 years. I remember back in the early 80's when they were saying that we would be out by 2000.
2006-07-26 05:56:57 · answer #3 · answered by MeKnow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We dont really know. We may say that its now running short, but there are some unexplored part of the earth where we can find more oil. For example, Alaska.. That land looks like it has no use, but when they started to explore it, they found out that it has oil... Same will happen as long as we keep on exploring..
2006-07-26 06:45:42 · answer #4 · answered by sobrangtangatangako 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not that long...according to Geologists, we have already reached our oil "peak" about 10-15 years ago. Oil is running short, before we know it there won't be any left.
2006-07-26 05:57:15 · answer #5 · answered by spiderfan2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think about 70 years
2006-07-26 05:57:02 · answer #6 · answered by Courage 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We can extract oil from plants such as pine trees and evergreen bushes. we will never completely run out you retard!
2006-07-26 06:53:50 · answer #7 · answered by darpdarp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't care, as long as it lasts to the end of my lifetime.
2006-07-26 05:56:26 · answer #8 · answered by My Big Bear Ron 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not long....some experts say we have used more than half now...and our consumption rates have gone up
2006-07-26 05:56:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
long enough.
2006-07-26 05:56:16 · answer #10 · answered by MASTER 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋