Since oil is the primary fuel of global industrial civilization, its imminent depletion is a problem that will have a profound impact on every aspect of modern life. With-out international agreement on how to manage the decline of this vital resource, the world faces unprecedented risk of conflict and collapse.

The Oil Depletion Protocol describes a unique accord whereby nations would voluntarily reduce their oil production and oil imports according to a consistent, sen-sible formula. This would enable energy transition to be planned and supported over the long term, providing a context of stable energy prices and peaceful cooperation. The protocol will be presented at international gatherings, initiating the process of country-by-country negotiation and adoption and mobilizing public support. To this end, this book:

• Provides an overview of the data concerning Peak Oil and its timing
• Briefly explains the protocol and its implications for the reader and for decision-makers in government and industry around the world
• Deals with frequently asked questions and objections
• Looks forward to how the protocol can be adopted and how municipalities and ordinary citizens can facilitate the process
• Timely and critically important, The Oil Depletion Protocol is a must-read for policymakers and for all who seek to avert a Peak Oil collapse

In an effort to reduce dependence on oil, a problem has so far has proved intractable, peak oil specialist Heinberg proposes that signatory nations agree to reduce their oil consumption gradually and uniformly at a rate of about three percent per year. He warns against assuming this will be easy to accomplish but also explains how life has been and will be without such an agreement in terms of the global economy, transportation, food, geopolitics, and terrorism. He describes emissions-based and depletion-based proposals and how they can work together, and ways to deal with diminishing oil in replacement, personal transportation, urban design, and agriculture. He also shows how the protocol can be adopted at national, municipal and personal levels and provides a draft oil depletion protocol provided by Dr. Colin J. Campbell. Distributed by Consortium Books Sales and Distribution. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Heinberg describes a unique accord whereby nations would voluntarily reduce their oil production and oil imports according to a consistent, sensible formula, thereby enabling energy transition to be planned and supported over the long term while providing a context of stable energy prices and peaceful cooperation.

Richard Heinbergis widely acknowledged as one of the world's foremost Peak Oil educators. A journalist, educator, editor, lecturer, and a Core Faculty member of New College of California where he teaches a program on "Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community, he is the author of six previous books including The Party's Overand Powerdown.