Societies beyond Oil Oil Dregs and Social Futures

by Urry, John

• ISBN13: 9781780321684
• ISBN10: 1780321686
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-02-05
• Publisher: UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS

Summary

This groundbreaking book, from a distinguished sociologist, examines the profound adjustments required to live in a world where oil is no longer an easily-available energy source. It considers what societies that are powering down would be like; what lessons can be learned from the past; will rationing systems or the market allocate scarce energy? Can virtual worlds solve energy problems? What levels of income and wellbeing would be likely? Urry analyzes how the twentieth century created a kind of mirage of the future that is unsustainable into even the medium term and envisions the future of an oil-dependent world facing energy descent. Without a large-scale plan B, how can the energizing of society possibly be going into reverse?

Author Biography

John Urry is a Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University.

Table of Contents

Introduction: the problem of energy * Part 1 oil dregs * 1. Oil and the crash of 2007-8 * 2. The century of oil * 3. Consuming miles * 4. Carbon capital * 5. Peaking * 6. The Chinese century? * 7. The curse of oil * Part 2 social futures * 8. Magic bullet future * 9. Digital lives * 10. Resource fights * 12. Low carbon society * 13. After easy oil