What are you going to do if the world run out of petroleum?

Question

As nowaday we use a lot of petroleum products : gas, gasoline, naphtha, oil, wax, etc, they might be used up somedays. What's your next plan?

Answer 1

The first part of the problem will come when oil simply gets too expensive and our oil based economy starts to crash.

So we need to work on alternative energy sources now, building plants and developing the technology further.

Right now nuclear is the only thing that can handle a big part of the replacement. But we need to work with all the tools; nuclear, solar, wind, biofuels.

To the guy above - right now the world is increasing its' use of oil faster than we can produce new oil. When the demand exceeds the supply (10-25 years), there's going to be big trouble. A war is quite likely.

Answer 2

The problem isn't those fuels running out. Petroleum-derived fuels are simply more profitable than other biomass-derived fuels because nature has conveniently done a significant portion of the processing.

Perhaps interestingly, artificial petroleum can be profitably produced from garbage in roughly 30 minutes -- so there is no need for mystical "thousands (or "millions) of years" and pressures that boggle the mind.

Unfortunately, the profits from garbage-derived artificial petroleum are currently exceedingly small -- i.e.: too small to justify the expense of starting a business (or converting an existing business) to do that.

The greater problems are related to (1) emissions of "greenhouse gases" and the simultaneous poisoning of our atmosphere, and (2) negligence regarding the recycling of waste.

The ready availability of hydrocarbon fuels will likely outlast mankind -- especially if mankind continues to abuse its environment (land, water, air, etc.).

Your question didn't specifically address "alternative" fuels, but I believe exploring some of those now (especially solar/electric, wind/electric and solar/thermal) is a great way to reduce dependency on all hydrocarbon fuels (whether petroleum or "biofuel").

IMHO, hydroelectric power is a mainstream technology, but it's worth mentioning especially as tidal and wave-driven generation technologies expand into the mainstream, and small-scale generation using more conventional equipment proliferates in the private sector.

Answer 3

I will continue to use my Joe cell and its hydrogen or orgone to power my car and house generator I have not used petroleum for 2 years now. I have the same 2 liters of water in it that i started with and have travelled 200,000 ks free of charge other than reg and insurance. Do a search and make one for yourself the information is all on the net

Answer 4

I don't think we are anywhere near that stage.
They are constantly finding new sources of oil and gas deposits

Moreover we are developing cars etc that run of electricity, water, solar and various other forms of energy (not so much because we are running out of oil, but simply because it's better for our atmosphere and clean air)

People lives without oil and gas years ago (wood, coal etc) but it would mean a big change and investment for industries.

Answer 5

Our ancesters managed, but we have so many things that are dependent on petroleum products, I doubt if we will manage to. We should have started twenty years ago to find clean alternatives and develope them. We have the ability to do this if we sacrifice some of our conveniences.

Answer 6

I don't need to plan for myself, because I will not live long enough to see the world run out. But the world will find other energy sources. I think, or at least hope, that nuclear fusion (not to be confused with nuclear fission, which we already have) will be that source.

Answer 7

Methods of creating power to turn wheels or power turbines is not going away....ever. The big megabuck oil companies just find it convenient to suck every last dollar out of us... clear up till the wells run dry..

Answer 8

It isn't like running out of milk. We're not going to wake up one morning to find that, hey, we're out of petroleum! Technology will keep up and i'm not going to worry about it because I won't be around.

Answer 9

GiGi dont worry about that. If we run out then we walk or ride a bike but that want happen. The world will end before that happens. I hope you dont stay up late worring about it. See you at the gas station................

Answer 10

U need to study some more. WE will never run out of fossil fuels as Mother nature has recycled it for millions of years. Where do u think our original fossil fuels came from???? Answer that and u will see that Mother nature has always recycle sense plants and photosynthesis were introduced.