I only just read the excellent article at http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/02/u_s_shale_oil_are_we_headed_to_a_new_era_of_oil_abundance.single.html, which an American colleague who works in the oil industry sent me some time ago.
Quote:
It will be hard to muster the resources to develop replacements for
fossil fuel energy if we wait until both the economy and climate are in
ruins. We are in for a hard landing if we don't use our current
prosperity to pave the way for a secure energy and climate future.
