Here is another good posting from Fred for we the readers of MT Position, a narrative of the present state of affairs for the frogs in the pot. No reference to those of Roman ancestry, more about clinging to the status quo even at grave peril. Inaction is not an option.

It is important to consider the issue of food, as well as the choice of telecommuting. In fact, Peaking Oil is lurking in this situation, and cannot be ignored. All of the benefits of transit; ie; alternatives to the so-called flexibility of rubber tire transport, are wrapped up in this energy crisis. But we forget we “Eat Oil”.

The local papers here in Northern CA are filled with notices of meetings to discuss Earth Day: Climate Change, energy security, electric cars & alternative fuels for… cars. Peaking Oil threats to business as usual- NADA.

Some thing have a way of getting out, even with this unconscious unwillingness to face reality, however. Truckers are becoming the miner’s Canary for the energy crisis, it appears. Keep an eye on where this trucking problem goes. At some point, the need to revert to rail haul will manifest itself, and the planners for transport and distribution will get hold of the rail atlas maps for their respective locale, and set about getting the dormant rail lines and abandoned corridors rehabbed to de-minimus condition for freight movement. Victuals.

You other readers, maybe impatient for the responsibles to do their duty, can see website http://www.spv.co.uk for listing of 18 railway map books for the USA. This is an event of degrees of discomfort, sort of like the potted amphibs noted above: we are in high price phase of fuel.

Next, see possible food shortages, gas rationing, negative feedback effects that shout for rehab of railway branchlines, vast expansion & extension of mains. Add renewable infrastructure to match rail energy demand growth. This will buy time at least. In a perfect world, we would be able to perfect the perfect car, emissions free and almost unlimited mpg. This is a world used to cheap fuel, we are being forced into a new energy paradigm, and we are acting neither quickly enough or intelligently. Try “Deer in the headlights”, if you don’t like the frog analogy…

To the web: we are entering “The Long Emergency”.