Sunday Lecture: What happens when the Oil Runs Out?

Chris Rhodes will give an overall view of the peak oil problem and the lack of any technological fix to the consequent liquid fuels crisis. After discussing resource supply problems in general he will move onto the media hype over fracking etc. compared to true levels of gas and oil that might be exhumed and then to the shortages of metals such as rare elements for electric cars and wind turbines. He will conclude that as a result technology isn’t going to be our salvation and so we need to adapt our behaviour leading to thinking locally and Transition Towns as the final optimistic solution.; Professor Chris Rhodes is a writer and researcher who became involved with environmental issues while working in Russia during the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. He studied chemistry at Sussex University earning both a B.Sc and a Doctoral degree (D.Phil.); rising to become the youngest professor of physical chemistry in the U.K. at the age of 34.; He has published more than 200 peer reviewed scientific articles and 3 books. He is also a published novelist journalist and poet. His novel “University Shambles” was nominated for Brit Writers’ Awards 2011: Published Writer of the Year.; Chris has given numerous radio and televised interviews concerning environmental issues both in Europe and in the United States – including on BBC Radio 4’s Material World. Latest invitations as a speaker include a series of international lectures regarding the impending depletion of world oil and the need to develop oil-independent sustainable societies.; 11.00 £3 on the door/free to members; Tea & Coffee will be available.