Synthesis and conclusions

Abstract

We stand at a juncture in human history, between societies powered by drawing down petroleum and other fossil energy stocks accumulated over hundreds of millions of years, and societies powered by contemporary solar flows. The time horizons and pathways for such transition are unknown, but we can be reasonably confident that our most important energy source, petroleum, is at or near its peak production rate. This is despite sufficient resources remaining to ensure its continued widespread availability and use many decades into the future (Mohr et al., Fuel 141:120–135, 2015).