Richmond Brainstorm

The Oil Depletion Protocol is a policy tool that can be used by municipal leaders to gradually reduce dependence on oil before it is forced upon us. It is absolutely essential that we begin now to gradually wean ourselves off of oil, and the protocol allows us to do just this. The protocol calls for communities to reduce their consumption of oil by about 2.5% per year. If this were to be adopted, global consumption of oil would decline gradually and predictably, thus stabilizing prices, preserving the resource base, and reducing competition for remaining supplies.

Why does this matter? One major reason is economics. Our modern industrial way of life is based on growth capitalism and for the most part, the accessibility of inexpensive energy -- oil. This growth is based on having a sustained and abundant supply of a resource that is not renewable in our lifetimes.   Without a sustained and abundant supply of oil there is no growth -- period. This goes beyond paying more at the pumps and to utility companies. Virtually everything we do in the communities of East Central Indiana: transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, technology relies on cheap available petroleum products. 

http://www.oildepletionprotocol.org/theprotocol

http://www.aspo-usa.com/

http://www.odac-info.org/peak-oil-primer