Lectures

Daniel Lerch, author of Post Carbon Cities: Planning for Energy and Climate Uncertainty, describes some of the short and long term challenges that peak oil will create for local governments. Peak oil will have very local repercussions, but prompt planning can take the edge off of some of the negative effects.

Gail Tverberg is known on the website The Oil Drum as Gail the Actuary. She created this presentation for a public health program called "Converging Environmental Crises: A Teach-in on Energy, Climate Change, Water, Agriculture and Population." It explains the large economic changes that even a minor energy downturn could cause. Transcript available.

Recorded at the 2008 annual conference of the Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia, we hear segments from a workshop titled "Starting Your Organic Farm". Also featured is a short segment from a recent event titled, "Write to a Farmer Who Inspires You".

In November 2007, Deconstructing Dinner attended one of the first regional food security conferences ever held in Canada. With a population of less than 10,000 people, the City of Nelson, British Columbia, hosted over 250 people for the first evening of keynote speakers. With an equally impressive 170 in attendance on the second day of keynote speakers and workshops, the conference acts as an example for other communities wishing to begin organizing themselves to take greater control over the food available to them.

Tim Winton of The Permaforest Trust Centre for Sustainability Education in Australia explores Pathways to a Low Carbon Future.

Sheri Liao is founder and president of Global Village Beijing, the foremost non-governmental organization (NGO) working towards a greener China. In this presentation to the World Affairs Council in San Francisco, she discusses the battle that Chinese environmentalists face when taking on polluters and unsustainable businesses, and outlines the ways in which progress is being made. Yes, there is an environmental movement in the world's most populous nation, and Sheri Liao is at the forefront.

Dr. Roger Bezdek discusses the Hirsch reports and peak oil's implications for Australia's distribution supply chains at Sydney's Smart Conference.

Julian Darley discusses oil depletion, relocalization and more at the "Power for the People: Determining Our Energy Future" conference at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Richard Heinberg's presentation at New College of California on transitioning to a Post Carbon world. Includes a history of man's energy use and a visual definition of peak oil, a summary of the current state of affairs, projections on what could happen if we don't begin to transition now, and finally discussion of the available responses.

Community and monetary economist Thomas H. Greco, Jr. gives a presentation in Sebastopol, California about creating alternative currency and exchange systems.