The
Long Emergency, Surviving the Converging Catastrophes
of the Twentieth Century
By James Howard Kunstler
Reviewed by Calvin Bey
This recently published book describes
the current worldwide situation regarding the depletion
of oil/gas/coal supplies, the changing global climate,
and the environmental degradation of natural resources.
A key issue in the book is the depletion of the
worldwide supply of oil. As we approach the point
of peak oil production (defined broadly as the point
at which one-half of the total known oil reserves
are gone), we will see oil shortages increasing
and prices climbing. This will affect the price
of almost everything, and especially industries
that depend heavily on transportation.
Kunstler believes that living
through these colliding catastrophes will drastically
reduce what we call our standard of living: “Falling
standards of living, loss of amenity, shrinking
life expectancy, resource scarcity, political disorder,
and military strife, will present a compelling new
set of circumstances that will shatter many of our
cherished beliefs.”
Kunstler is not optimistic that
the currently available alternatives will bail us
out of the oil shortage dilemma. He addresses every
alternative energy source on an individual basis
and in general concludes that they are not feasible.
The author devotes a large part
of the book to describing what life will be like
in “The Long Emergency” and suggests
how we might prepare ourselves for making the best
of it. Lifestyle and culture will be quite different
from what we have today, and he makes the case that
it could happen soon and abruptly. Those with abilities
to grow their own food, especially with non-commercial
fertilizers, and those with good survival skills
will have the advantage. He also presents a case
that Americans are not prepared for what is to come.
He says we did not arrive at this point by conspiracy,
but rather by “cultural inertia, supported
by collective delusion, all nursed by comfort and
a complacency mindset.”
This is a book that should be
required reading for all leaders and informed citizens.
It may just be part of the wakeup call we need.
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