I also thought this was interesting..
In summary, the risks associated with our present course are ever-increased environmental degradation coupled with a significant long lasting economic downturn, recession or depression.
As the old Chinese proverb states, ? if we do not change direction, we will likely end up where we are heading.? A simple look at the numbers story tells us that we must change direction dramatically, with vision and conviction.
As a world community, we must realize that we will need the last remaining decades of fossil fuels to create and integrate new energy sources without losing the momentum of our developing world society. Because the US is a major user of energy per capita and we affect environmental issues by both example and laws, we must lead on these issues.
Where do we want to be in 20-30 years from now as a country and a world?
We want to be at a point in our global development where we are no longer dependant on fossil fuels for our energy generation and we want to arrive there by a route that does not create global environmental and economic chaos.
What if we do not act now?
Again Lt. Col. Bearden?s comments: ?Make no mistake. This is the most deadly and certain strategic threat to the U.S. and the rest of the world, in all my experience. If we do not solve this energy problem, and deploy it very, very quickly with a massive effort, then we will overrun the 2003 "point of no return" and, just as an airplane does when it overruns the point of no return on the runway, this nation will be heading for a total crash, as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow. Yet everywhere one looks, one sees "business as usual," "trust us, we know best". . . . . .