Comments on: Green Goblins http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/06/07/green-goblins/ arts, the environment and current affairs throughout South Devon and beyond Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:38:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Kevin http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/06/07/green-goblins/#comment-66632 Kevin Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:14:40 +0000 http://www.peoplesrepublicofsouthdevon.co.uk/2008/06/07/green-goblins/#comment-66632 I've just been down to Polruan in Cornwall to camp for the night. The roads do seem a lot quieter and the camp site was far less busy than it has been for this time of year. So was the cafe where we usually stop for breakfast on the way back. My local pub in Torquay is also now under used, to the extent that I'm the only one in there on occasions. Its a bit of a vicious circle, in that I might as well drink at home, leaving even less profit for a struggling landlord. I did read that a quarter of pubs could close over the next year. I'm now 48 so I've been through a few economic downturns and recessions, but this feels different. Certainly, people have less money and are reassessing their expenditure as they did in the past. However, I'm starting to think that the Peak Oil theorists may have a point, though perhaps I've been reading too many discussions on Peak Oil websites. However, news across the world does seem to link up and point in one direction. Also, although speculation is having an effect, people can only speculate when they see prices rising still further. Whatever the cause, I can't see energy costs falling significantly. To me it means not using the car as much and holidaying in the UK - not a bad thing for the environment. Though, for millions around the globe, it means poverty and famine. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like our society is starting to change quite radically, and we may be in for a very rough ride. I’ve just been down to Polruan in Cornwall to camp for the night. The roads do seem a lot quieter and the camp site was far less busy than it has been for this time of year. So was the cafe where we usually stop for breakfast on the way back. My local pub in Torquay is also now under used, to the extent that I’m the only one in there on occasions. Its a bit of a vicious circle, in that I might as well drink at home, leaving even less profit for a struggling landlord. I did read that a quarter of pubs could close over the next year.

I’m now 48 so I’ve been through a few economic downturns and recessions, but this feels different. Certainly, people have less money and are reassessing their expenditure as they did in the past. However, I’m starting to think that the Peak Oil theorists may have a point, though perhaps I’ve been reading too many discussions on Peak Oil websites. However, news across the world does seem to link up and point in one direction. Also, although speculation is having an effect, people can only speculate when they see prices rising still further. Whatever the cause, I can’t see energy costs falling significantly. To me it means not using the car as much and holidaying in the UK - not a bad thing for the environment. Though, for millions around the globe, it means poverty and famine.

I hope I’m wrong, but it looks like our society is starting to change quite radically, and we may be in for a very rough ride.

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