Quote:
Originally Posted by polak
Oh it's definitely for the best. I just don't know if our society will be able to handle the transition. Think about all of the nations whose main export will become almost useless.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...by_oil_exports
The top 10 on that list are ####ed. |
I think you're underestimating the demand for oil.
While it would certainly have an immediate impact on energy production (which would have a greater impact on coal than oil/gas), there would still be a huge demand from the petrochemical industry.
Also, a huge portion of oil usage is for transportation, and while we are seeing big strides in electric cars, and this would certainly help push us in that direction, the limiting factor right now, and for the forseeable future is battery technology. You really can't beat oil on an energy density basis.
Aside from that, as oil demand drops, and the price goes down for gas, it'll make it even more difficult for electric cars to complete.
So yeah, eventually, if this is true, and its free energy for everyone, it'll be a game changer, but it certianly won't be an overnight change, and hopefully economies will have time to react.