Acknowledgments

It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped with this book in some way. The chapters herein developed over many months, during which I was traveling a great deal and speaking to audiences large and small about the problem of oil depletion, its likely consequences, and what we can do to wean our societies from our collective addiction to fossil fuels. I met hundreds of people during these travels whose words and pioneering actions are reflected in these pages.

Once again, I must acknowledge an enormous debt of gratitude to my wife Janet Barocco, who supports and balances me in so many ways as I pursue the rather lopsided life of a writer-lecturer.

This is the fourth book project on which I have had the pleasure of working with Chris and Judith Plant of New Society Publishers. A note of appreciation must also go to Ingrid Witvoet, who shepherded the book through the production process, and Murray Reiss, who copy-edited the manuscript.

My thanks to Jennifer Bresee for research assistance, and to Susan Williamson for general assistance.

As in the past, my students and co-faculty at New College deserve mention for their ongoing support, as do the subscribers to my monthly MuseLetter.

Finally, I would like to voice both appreciation and thanks to Julian Darley and Celine Rich-Darley — founders of Post Carbon Institute, and catalysts in the global response to the twin crises of fossil fuels (climate change and resource depletion).