(PRWEB) March 7, 2006 -- Over 30 leading experts in energy, agriculture, economics, engineering, geology, politics, transportation and sustainability will gather during the final week of April to address the local impact of what is viewed to be an impending crisis in world affairs.

As the world’s demand for oil has grown to match total production capacity, some experts believe reserves have virtually disappeared.

The Hirsch Report, a study on Peak Oil and its consequences was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy and published in February 2005 (http://www.projectcensored.org/newsflash/the_hirsch_report_proj_cens.pdf). The report warns that after Peak, liquid fuel prices will increase dramatically, and without proper planning and concerted effective action, “the economic, social and political costs will be unprecedented.”

Peak Oil occurs when half of all existing oil has been pulled from the ground. After that, oil will become, over time, increasingly scarce and expensive. When oil becomes more expensive the economy goes into recession until it becomes cheap again. Peak Oil means that oil will only get more expensive, forever. Many experts believe we are at Peak right now.

While many are painfully aware of how rising fuel prices affect the economy, the full scope of the problem has not yet begun to be appreciated. But it is clear that even slight disruption to world oil supply can cause severe fuel price shock, such as those from the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s and last summer’s hurricanes. Turmoil in the Middle East could quickly bring more. Over time, permanent shortfalls are certain.

Peak Oil, NYC, a citizens group; Local Energy Solutions, and the Five Borough Institute (a 501(c)3 organization) will host the 3 day conference at 2 locations in Midtown Manhattan: the 750 seat Community Church on East 35th St. and the 1200 seat Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom. The goals of the conference are to increase public awareness of the impending energy dilemma and to encourage government, business and civic organizations to begin strategic planning discussions to adapt to growing energy scarcity and permanently increasing energy prices.

Confirmed speakers include:
• Steve Andrews, Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO, USA)
• John Darnell, Energy and Environment Projects Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett
• Catherine Austin Fitts, founder of Solari (promoting local living economies)
• Dale Allen Pfeiffer, Geologist and Science Journalist
• James Kunstler, Author of The Long Emergency, 2005
• Derrick Jensen, Author of The Culture of Make Believe, 2004
• Geoff Lawton, Managing Director, Permaculture Research Institute of Australia
• Michael Klare, Author of Resources Wars, 2002 and Blood & Oil, 2004
• Faith Morgan, Filmmaker: Cuba – Artificial Peak Oil: Transformation of a Society
• David Pimentel, Professor of Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Cornell University
• Michael Ruppert, Author of Crossing the Rubicon, 2004
• Matt Savinar, Author of Life After the Oil Crash, 2004

Admission to the conference is available for 1, 2 and 3 days, with professional, student, senior, low-income, and group rates. To enroll go to: www.energysolutionsconference.org. A highlight of the conference will be a screening of “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil,” an inspiring documentary about the Cuban people’s response to a national energy crisis.

Contact
Philip M. Botwinick or Daud Abdel-Aziz   
Phone: 845.639.8304
Local Energy Solutions
83-05 98th St #4B Woodhaven, NY 11421
Website: www.energysolutionsconference.org