THE LAND CONUNDRUM

Abstract

Fossil fuels, particularly petroleum, have been the primary source of energy of the world for a very long time. Under its aegis, the world has been changed, for better or for worse. Can we imagine the world without vehicles powered by oil, gas or coal, the road networks meant to accommodate them and the buildings that could not have been built or operated without fossil fuels? The very production of our food depends greatly on the energy available for cultivation, irrigation, harvest and processing.