[PuerkitoBio]

While oil usage is globally still growing [0], so contrary to some replies, we are not already in a phase-out situation, some countries have taken steps to do just that, and I doubt they are reverting back to 19th century lifestyle.

Sweden aims to drastically reduce its dependency to oil by 2020 [1], replacing it with renewable energies. Of course the "how" part of the phase-out will vary depending on the region of the world. But this is doable, not science fiction.

I guess my point is that positions like "face it, we need oil so let's build more pipelines" are the ones that are holding us back from a better world.

[0]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_oil_consum... [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Making_Sweden_an_Oil-Free_Socie...