We must conclude that alternative energies, overall, don't "make the grade," although they will have roles to play on a local basis if they're renewable and there's excess land not needed for food or ecological restoration.
In my travels I'm called upon to answer difficult questions on energy supply and how today's complacent U.S. population will cope with petroleum famine. While there are technical answers and a crying need for skills like permaculture and revived handcrafts of all kinds, the key to our survival post-peak oil will be cultural, not technological. I've benefited from going around the country to speak and learn about our petroleum reality and how our ecosystems and communities will have to quickly adapt. I'm known to ask, "Where's your ecovillage?"
Grist
