Includes bibliographical references (pages 187-196) and index.

"Resource depletion and population pressures are about to catch up with us and no one is prepared. Oil is running out and, if the U.S. continues with current policies, the next decades will be marked by war, economic collapse, and environmental catastrophe." "There are alternatives. A "Powerdown" strategy, for example, would aim to reduce per-capita resource usage in wealthy countries, develop alternative energy sources, distribute resources more equitably, and reduce the human population humanely but systematically over time. It could save us, but will require tremendous effort and economic sacrifice." "Powerdown speaks frankly to these dilemmas. Avoiding cynicism and despair, it begins with an overview of the likely impacts of oil and natural gas depletion and then outlines four options for industrial societies during the next decades."--Jacket.

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