wwo

In this section of the Energy Unit, we will be trying to understand the impact of petroleum products on our lives and react to the possible scenario of a global oil shortage. By participating in the role-playing game: The [|world without oil], we will read, watch, discuss, and reflect on peak-oil, our dependence, and impact of a shortage.

Day 1: How important is petroleum? During this lesson we explore the far reaching impact of petroleum on our own lives and begin to think of the impacts of a shortage. How much "stuff" do you have that is directly made from petroleum? How would a petroleum shortage affect things indirectly like food availability/cost? What "post-peak" skills do you have that you could use to thrive in a shortage?

Day 2: Feeling the pinch as the shortage hits. Begin by reading the [|weekly reports] up through week 9. Then we'll watch some citizen journalist segments and discuss the the changes happening as the shortage hits. Read some of the following citizen reports about shortages: What things are we seeing/reading that will affect us? What things won't affect us? Why/why not? Quickly review with the students the economic concepts of scarcity: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarcity and opportunity costs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opportunity_cost Group discussion on Topic - Scarcity - Opportunity Cost Reflect: (post in the discussion)
 * A town without water [|http://aeldric.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!A859FF3D2F2384E4!126.entry]
 * Going electric vs. "this isn't happening" http://wwotext.blogspot.com/2007/05/fw-from-amanita-pavlova_06.html
 * We may outlive the net http://ironmonkey.blogspot.com/2007/05/we-may-outlive-net.html
 * It's the little things http://winefromthesegrapes.blogspot.com/2007/05/its-little-things.html
 * Researching alternative fuels http://youporkchop.livejournal.com/2270.html
 * What items you use on a daily basis have become scarce? What changes do you have to make?
 * How are you having to prioritize your needs and your wants? What are your feelings about giving things up? Do you feel you have alternatives?
 * Are you worried about losing necessities such as food, water and power? Do you think other people are worried about losing these things?

World Without Oil Lesson One Reflection by Vivian Lin

__Day 3:__ >> [] >> [] >> [|http://willwithoutoil.blogspot.com/2007/05/>> never-want-for-food-or-fire.html] >> [] >> [|http://peakoilparty.blogspot.com/2007/05/>> growing-your-own-frankenfood.html] >> [|http://aeldric.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!>> A859FF3D2F2384E4!127.entry] >> []
 * Reimerse by browsing the WWO pages between weeks 9-14
 * Watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19R3Ae7EhPw Grocery shopping without oil
 * Read the blog []
 * Pick three items from your lunch today and find out how far they traveled to get to you.
 * Rice:
 * Driving directions to Hainan, China**2,780 km** – about **1 day 4 hours**
 * **Cabbage - 28.9 km from Beijing. (at a Green house in Xiaotangshan)**
 * Read some of these posts
 * Wild edibles and gardening
 * Show PeakProphet's A visit to the farmer's market
 * Burnunit's CSA video []
 * Never want for food or fire
 * Thinking about food
 * Growing your own Frankenfood
 * Gardening in preparation for post-peak
 * Brainstorm solutions to the problem with the class.
 * Check out the reports from weeks 15-23...
 * We'll watch the video: http://heartlandnotes.blogspot.com/2007/05/petro-terrorism-in-nashville.html on Petro terrorism
 * Read some of these posts:
 * Revolution in Slow Motion [|http://postpeakmilwaukee.blogspot.com/2007/05/>> revolution-in-slow-motion.html]
 * Riot gear [|>> http://lead-tag.livejournal.com/4783.html]
 * The threat becomes real [|http://xblitzxkriegx.vox.com/library/post/>> the-threat-becomes-real.html]
 * Update from the Southeast [|http://wwotext.blogspot.com/2007/05/>> fw-update-from-southeast-north-carolina.html]
 * Enjoying life in the red zone []
 * The spark
 * Discuss the appropriate responsibilities of government in a crisis situation like this. How much should they do? What is their responsibility? What is beyond their responsibility?

Final: >> [|http://gailtheactuary.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/ >> what-are-our-alternatives-if-fossil-fuels-are-a-problem/] >> [] Develop a 30-year plan to reduce the United State's dependence on oil. The plan should include each year's percentage mix of (a) energy from oil (b) energy use offset by increased efficiency (c) energy from alternate sources and (d) reduced energy consumption. (Students so inclined may want to pair this with an analysis of carbon emissions.) The plan begins in the current year, with energy from oil = 100%. Student groups should either share their plans with the class or post them to their individual blogs for others to see. > [|http://ceegeepeakoil.blogspot.com/2007/05/ > pulling-into-driveway.html] > [|http://prudentrver.typepad.com/3catsstalking/2007/05/ > conservation_ou.html]
 * Review the following posts by Gail The Actuary:
 * What are our alternatives?
 * Corn-based ethanol: Is this a solution?
 * Read "Pulling into the driveway" by CeeGee:
 * Read "Conservation, our new major fuel source" by PrudentRVer:


 * Reflect individually on the above posts.

//Can we just go back to our previous life? Why or why not? What long-term changes do you think we should make? Why do many people feel the desire to go back to life as it was before the oil crisis?//

What changes can WE make, right now, that will help us avoid a scenario like this?

How can we limit our consumption of petroleum here at ISB? Take Action!