Author Affiliation
Kenneth S. Deffeyes is Professor Emeritus at Princeton University.BDS Summary
In 1956, geophysicist M. King Hubbert predicted that U.S. oil production would reach its highest level in the early 1970s. This came true in 1971. This book shows the general reader why a global energy crisis is just around the corner.
Geophysicist M. King Hubbert predicted in 1956 that U.S. oil production would reach its highest level in the early 1970s. Though roundly criticized by oil experts and economists, Hubbert's prediction came true in 1970. PIn this revised and updated edition reflecting the latest information on the world supply of oil, Kenneth Deffeyes uses Hubbert's methods to find that world oil production will peak in this decade--and there isn't anything we can do to stop it. While long-term solutions exist in the form of conservation and alternative energy sources, they probably cannot--and almost certainly will not--be enacted in time to evade a short-term catastrophe.
"This book is important in that it is addressed to the general public, which is overwhelmingly ignorant of the fundamentals of earth's resources and basic economics. It will be very useful to teachers, news media personnel, and public policy makers."--Craig W. Van Kirk, Colorado School of Mines "The timing of this book is excellent. Energy issues will be heard with increasing frequency during the next five years, and the general public will be looking for information with which they can make sense of changes in energy supply and prices."--Robert K. Kaufmann, Boston University "I read this book with pleasure and profit, learning a great deal painlessly."--Robert M. Solow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology