PEAK OIL - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

29 May 2008

With oil prices currently at over US $110 a barrel and rising, it is time the world woke up to a looming crisis for the economy in general and, because of its heavy dependence on oil, for transport in particular. In the words of Colin Campbell, the Irish peak oil guru, ‘It [Peak Oil] is sometimes dismissively referred to as a theory, when in reality it is based on the simple observation that the consumption of any finite resource must start and end, passing a peak in between... It can apply equally well to an individual well, an oilfield, a region, a country or the world as a whole.'

This presentation overviews the current situation - what "peak oil" means, when it is expected to be an issue (with the potential to quickly displace climate change as a public concern), how much consensus among "experts" there is, the outlook for bio-fuels and other alternative transport fuels, and how transport will be affected.

Dave Kilsby is transport planner and Director, Kilsby Australia, a consultancy based in Sydney. Dave was chairman of the Engineers Australia (EA) Sydney Division Transport Panel in 2006/2007, and is one of two Sydney representatives on the EA National Committee on Transport, which he also chaired in 2003/2004. He is the Sydney convenor of the Australian arm of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas (ASPO Australia), and a frequent contributor to professional forums both nationally and internationally on a variety of transport topics.

PEAK OIL, CLIMATE CHANGE & THE GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY EMERGENCY

26 June 2008

The world is facing a sustainability emergency. Peak Oil and Climate Change, along with water and food, are the immediate, inter-related, pressure points. The manner in which we respond to these immediate challenges will fundamentally alter society, business and government in the 21st century, both globally and nationally. Rather than being a problem, it is an unique opportunity to set humanity on a new course, built on sustainable principles.

Ian Dunlop has wide executive experience in energy resources, infrastructure and international business, including Royal Dutch Shell, and has worked in oil, gas and coal exploration/production, scenario and long-term energy planning, competition reform and privatization. He chaired the Australian Coal Association 1987-88, the Australian Greenhouse Office Experts Group on Emissions Trading 1998-2000, and was CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors 1997-2001. An engineer with an MA from Cambridge University, he chairs the Australian National Wildlife Collection Foundation (CSIRO), and is Deputy Convenor of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil Australia (ASPO-Australia).

Ian's interest is the interaction of corporate governance, corporate responsibility and sustainability. This presentation will concentrate on Peak Oil and Climate Change, and will discuss key sustainability issues to demonstrate that this important matter must be addressed as an integrated challenge.

PEAK OIL & ALTERNATIVE FUELS

31 July 2008

In this presentation, David Lamb, Low Emission Transport Leader, CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship, looks at ways of making us less dependent on Oil, and outlines the case for a National Fuels Strategy for Australia. A key component of any National Fuels Strategy is the contribution made by alternative fuels, including Biofuels, and more efficient transport vehicles. However, the expanding growth in land-use for Biofuels production has been accused of causing World Food shortages, and this raises a raft of new sustainability issues which need to be addressed.

David worked with the Ford Motor Company in Australia and around the world. He joined CSIRO as Chief Executive of the Australian Automotive Technology Centre and championed the CSIRO Low Emission Vehicle project that resulted in two hybrid electric cars. The aXcessaustralia low emission vehicle was exhibited around the world showcasing Australian innovation. The Holden ECOmmodore* Hybrid car was used by Holden in its Sydney 2000 Olympics promotional activities. David promotes emission reductions in the transportation sector and is responsible for planning CSIRO research into the fuels and technologies that will be used in future vehicles.

* SEE the video/transcript of David Lamb's ABC 7:30 Report interview on:

• 11 June 2008 : Hybrid hype, but who killed the ECommodore?

David is co-author of the Jamison Group Report: "A Roadmap for Alternative Fuels in Australia: Ending our Dependence on Oil" sponsored by the NRMA, which may be downloaded by clicking the NRMA image on the left.

CLIMATE CHANGE. PEAK OIL & PUBLIC TRANSPORT

28 August 2008

In the last year the world has started to understand the concept of Peak Oil, and the threat that it poses for our oil-based society. This threat comes on the heels of the growing awareness of global warming. How can we respond to these twin threats? This presentation focuses on urban planning options for our cities to contribute in solving these challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil, and proposes some measures our governments can take to set us on a more sustainable path to the future.

The presentation is also divided into three sections to facilitate download:

Climate Change : Overviews recent climate change science;
Peak Oil : Overviews peak oil and the emerging global politics of oil; and
Sustainable Transport : Presents some examples of integrated urban development and transport systems.

Dr Garry Glazebrook has over 14 years' experience in consulting and 15 years in government policy positions, and currently lectures in urban planning at the University of Technology, Sydney. His qualifications include a PhD and masters degrees in Urban Planning and Operations Research, and he has published widely in the fields of transport and planning. He has been Australia's representative on Intelligent Transport Systems standards, and is a member of the International Union of Public Transport, and the Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil. He has a particular interest in how to make our cities more sustainable, and was a member of the steering committee of the Warren Centre's "Sustainable Transport for Sustainable Cities" project.

Also worth viewing is Garry's "UTS Speaks: Getting About Green" presentation:

• The Future of Sydney's Transport 3 April 2008

PEAK OIL & GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES

23 October 2008

In the new era of Peak Oil, energy resources become the new currency, and this changes the global economics. With the peaking and decline of world net exports, and associated rising price and production forecasts, there are likely to be intense political and economic reactions in addressing these problems. There will be both challenges and opportunities for local economies, and there will also be many engineering challenges to address in the post-petroleum economy. The presentation discusses these challenges and the measures our governments need to take to ensure a more sustainable future.

David Bell is a Chartered Accountant and Sydney Convenor of ASPO-Australia. David's interest is in the area of Global and local economies and and how they can be made more resilient to effects of Peak Oil. David has appeared on Bloomberg TV discussing oil prices and risk mitigation strategies. He is co-author of an article on "Peak Oil Risk and Opportunity" published in Chartered Secretaries Journals both in Australia and Canada this year.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY & EMISSIONS TRADING

27 November 2008

EMINENT GUEST SPEAKER: Dr John Hewson

Dr John Hewson is an economic and financial expert with experience in academia, business, government and finance. He has worked as an economist for the Australian Treasury, Reserve Bank and International Monetary Fund, and as an advisor to two Federal Treasurers and a Prime Minister. His business career included Executive Director of Macquarie Bank from its foundation and as a Trustee of IBM Superannuation Fund. His political career included 7 years as a ministerial advisor and 8 years as the Member of the House of Representatives for Wentworth which included shadow ministerial roles in Finance, Treasurer, Industry & Commerce and as Leader of the Opposition for 4 years.

Dr. Hewson's presentation deals with the current faltering Global Economy and the introduction of an Emissions Trading Scheme in Australia as outlined in the forthcoming Federal Government's White Paper, including the implementation and likely effects of ETS and other initiatives in meeting the challenges of global warming in the context of a prolonged global recession.