I have been watching a lot of interviews of Jeff Rubin, a Canadian economist. He has a few wide ranging theories regarding the price of oil and its ties with globalization. While his theories are provocative and aren't necessarily mainstream, I find them convincing.
Jeff Rubin on Oil and the End of Globalization
So in a nutshell - here's why I hope his forecast is correct:
If globalization trends become reversed then carbon emissions recede drastically. That's basically it. We would pollute less.
Of course, if his forecast are accurate, then travelling to PNG would be expensive beyond what I could afford. Digital camera prices would also be incredibly expensive. Prices of damn near everything would be more expensive. The percentage of disposable income used for necessities would increase (things like food, toilet paper and soap).
We would consume less as a species. And while I enjoy buying lots of shit, ultimately I would prefer we pollute less. I am painting in broad strokes here and touching on different points but I would be interested in others opinions on the matter (even though opinions completely opposite to my own).
Cheers,
Jeremy