And what about the carbon footprint from solar and wind. Some solar cells today produce more CO2 than what they will save in the lifetime of producing electricity. We have no problem accepting flyash coal waste of which half of it goes into leaky landfills which leach out heavy metals in our drinking water. Nuclear power is safe, environmentally friendly and the waste issue is a political issue. There is no problem storing it in salt mines or geologically stable mountains for 10000 years. The CO2 we are producing will linger far longer than 10000 years and the amount of nuclear waste is minscule and not much worse than the uranium ore it comes from which occurs naturally. They have to use robots in northern Canada to mine it because of its richness and this occurs in nature. It's coal and gas that is envirnomentally hazardous, not nuclear.

JJZ, Columbia, MD

The Nuclear lobby grows stronger all the time, sweeping away concerns about waste and completely ignoring the giant carbon footprint created by building and maintaining nuclear power stations.
It is already too late to expect nuclear power to be ready soon enough to replace fossil fuels. However, small scale power generation is possible now, using 'simple' methods. Who is stopping progress? Why, the vehicle construction giants, of course .... but you can bet their contingency plan is already in place, somewhere. What shall we do? Walk and keep warm with soup!

James Foster-Turner, Oxford, England, UK

Governments are in their own little bubble of contentment, which is only just starting to be pricked. Weak leadership and politics in thrall to commercial interests are to blame, rather than conspiracy. This can be proved by recent news re party funding, and policy blindness in the area of air travel expansion: a blind alley come peak oil, as there ain't no substitute for kerosene.
The answer: take responsibility by refusing to fly, and making sustainable purchases; and look out for another Churchill to lead us!
Oh, by the way, several analysts are saying peak oil will occur in 2012.

Robert De Mey, Maybole, Scotland

Climate change, an entire forst world existence based on oil, a world population explosion that up until 1800AD was below 1 billion, and now stands at 6 billion. We now work against our planet rather than with it and exponential growth in every sector is unfeasible. We need to accept that the "first world" will fall like so many great civilisations before it. Third world countries still live as the human race is supposed to live, and will survive. Although I'm not religious, I can't help but hear the words "and the meek shall inherit the Earth" ringing in my ears. Oil grows our food, transports our food and on eating it, provides the various medicines that assist us with heart disease, obesity, diabetes... the list goes on which is abhorrant. Only a small percentage of people will understand and accept what lies ahead and will prepare, the rest will die. The Earth will deal with us swiftly, so become aware and join those of us that understand. Denial stops here.

Kieran O'Donnell, Cambridge,

The full implications of the squeeze in oil supply are glossed over. The nations at present exporting oil are doing well economically, therefore their internal consumption is increasing rapidly. That means that the oil available for export will decrease at a greater rate than the overall decline. The lack of plain speaking by goverments on this issue is extremely scary. The recent moves on nuclear and on wind energy are at best tentative papering over the cracks. We require politicians who actually understand the gravity of the situation, and are prepared to risk their chances of re-election by introducing legislation to reduce our consumption, in line with our own reduction in production. Anything else leaves us at the mercy of the exporters. Recent events have shown that when push comes to shove, they will look after themselves first.

Dave, Dunoon, Scotland

Dave Beattie, Dunoon, Scotland

I am always intrigued by comments like Chris Osborn's in which motives are ascribed to a third party's statements or views. Surely, such comments say much more about the way in which the commentator's own mind works rather than that of the third party!

John Turnbull, Bourne End, UK

These multi-national companies are largely owned by pension schemes rather than individuals - so if they make bigger profits then we have more secure pensions.

Allan, London,

The industrial scale production of hydrogen to replace oil (and possibly gas) will require a massive increase in electricity generation.

Something like a threefold multiple on current UK output of 380 TWh per annum. That will require scores of new PWRs and the duplication of the supergrid and distribution network.

The investment in the hydrogen infrastructure and vehicles will take decades and also cost many billions.

The government and media are only just waking up to the scale of the engineering challenge.

Paul , cheshire, england

Water wars, oil wars (had a couple of those already), coal wars, tree wars ... But don't worry too much - the planet will kick us off long before we can completely destroy it.
Paul, Jo'burg SA

Paul, Joburg, South Africa

Most geologist had got there years ago. The world will not run out of energy sources but they will become increasingly expensive to win. If it costs a barrel oil to deliver a barrel then it's a zero sum game. At least it will start to make renewables attractive financially and there are still massive options out there to reduce consumption as well as totally rethink growth as the raison d'etre of our being on the planet. With two-thirds of the world still below subsistence level it's a scary prospect

Ray Cobbett, emsworth,

The world will see other wars similar to the invasion of Iraq to secure scarce energy resources.

Nick, London, UK

do i have to say anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!the article speaks to a nightmare!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

john sproesser, WEST CAPE MAY, n.j.

Is this going to be a ugly preview of what is to come?

Isaac Azimov wrote that we haven't seen problems until
the earth's natural resources start to run out.

A chilling thought.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

well comments like this will certainly help the price of oil rise even faster a nice little boost for his companies profits.I wonder what sort of bonus he is on ?

Chris Osborn, Maidstone, Kent