Into the Future
* A work of Fiction *
It was another new morning, another day. An announcement was made over the media: that the last few barrels of oil will be depleted & no new reserve have been discovered. Oil is now extinct.
Despite news as early as 2020 that the oil will run out, no one was completely ready to process and embrace the news. Yes there had been development of alternative energy as early as the 1990s. Yes many cars are in fact running on the roads with electric and kinetic energy. Yet a large part of the world is still running on black gold.
Yet in 2052 the news came quite as a shock. Not quite. I take it back. More of an 'inconvenience' instead of a shock.
* * *
Caleb had been outside cutting wood. His sister Sue was nearby collecting dried twigs. "Susannah, do not wander too far." Using his big brother authority. Mum does that sometimes, call them by their full names. When they have done something wrong- or about to. Light was disappearing in the forthcoming dusk and soon they will be called home by mum. Today Caleb decided that he will be preempt the call home. He gathered the firewood and started calling out again to Sue, who had both hands full with twigs of different lengths- some do not look completely dried. Caleb, despite just having started third grade himself, is in charge of looking after 5 year old Sue as mum cooks dinner at home. He takes the job very seriously and Sue was his ticket to be outdoors- he doesn't like to be cooped up in the house too much.
As they approached the house the wafting smell of dinner made his tummy growl. Father had just taken his bath and was at his table, updating the community website. Eli their eldest had just gotten the fireplace crackling. Mary and Liz are busy in the kitchen helping mum prepare dinner. "Cal, once you have cleaned yourself up please help us set the table" he heard Liz call out as soon as he entered the house. 'kay' was his reply, the o silent. Sue set her twigs down next to Caleb's freshly cut logs. Mary came out of the kitchen and took Sue by the hand- 'let's get you cleaned up' and motioned to Caleb to get himself moving too.
Father spoke up, while still engrossed in writing on his computer: "World supply of petrol extinct by 2055- How will your world change?". He was reading a headline from the news. "Well I reckon not much". Father tells us things without telling us things. "I won't miss the Internet too much" he added looking thoughtful.
* * *
The meeting for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries was called to order. The Chair has an important task to do today: pass a motion on the dissolution of the Organisation.
Saudi and Brunei had had diversified their investment in other businesses for many decades. Way ahead and way before new entrants, as the latter struggled to do oil exploration using massive foreign investments. As these investments are paid out they realised that they have not invested much in sustainable energy, or redevelopment of their country. Blood money pass hands amongst corrupted officials, and their citizens lay barren in need of basic amenities. Central Asian countries are now oozing money, as their uranium powers the world.
The Chair knew that this day will come. When the world will literally quiet down as the energy source depletes. The OPEC building itself is solar powered. Its staff have been offered separation schemes. Some decided to work in alternative energy projects.
* * *
In the tropics: sun shines brightly & solar energy
* * *
Community farms and kerosene to light up at night. Tree planting for wood fire.
* * *
Roads emptier. Bicycles sale soars. Horse riding and horse carriages industry develop?
* * *
What else would happen?
It was another new morning, another day. An announcement was made over the media: that the last few barrels of oil will be depleted & no new reserve have been discovered. Oil is now extinct.
Despite news as early as 2020 that the oil will run out, no one was completely ready to process and embrace the news. Yes there had been development of alternative energy as early as the 1990s. Yes many cars are in fact running on the roads with electric and kinetic energy. Yet a large part of the world is still running on black gold.
Yet in 2052 the news came quite as a shock. Not quite. I take it back. More of an 'inconvenience' instead of a shock.
* * *
Caleb had been outside cutting wood. His sister Sue was nearby collecting dried twigs. "Susannah, do not wander too far." Using his big brother authority. Mum does that sometimes, call them by their full names. When they have done something wrong- or about to. Light was disappearing in the forthcoming dusk and soon they will be called home by mum. Today Caleb decided that he will be preempt the call home. He gathered the firewood and started calling out again to Sue, who had both hands full with twigs of different lengths- some do not look completely dried. Caleb, despite just having started third grade himself, is in charge of looking after 5 year old Sue as mum cooks dinner at home. He takes the job very seriously and Sue was his ticket to be outdoors- he doesn't like to be cooped up in the house too much.
As they approached the house the wafting smell of dinner made his tummy growl. Father had just taken his bath and was at his table, updating the community website. Eli their eldest had just gotten the fireplace crackling. Mary and Liz are busy in the kitchen helping mum prepare dinner. "Cal, once you have cleaned yourself up please help us set the table" he heard Liz call out as soon as he entered the house. 'kay' was his reply, the o silent. Sue set her twigs down next to Caleb's freshly cut logs. Mary came out of the kitchen and took Sue by the hand- 'let's get you cleaned up' and motioned to Caleb to get himself moving too.
Father spoke up, while still engrossed in writing on his computer: "World supply of petrol extinct by 2055- How will your world change?". He was reading a headline from the news. "Well I reckon not much". Father tells us things without telling us things. "I won't miss the Internet too much" he added looking thoughtful.
* * *
The meeting for the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries was called to order. The Chair has an important task to do today: pass a motion on the dissolution of the Organisation.
Saudi and Brunei had had diversified their investment in other businesses for many decades. Way ahead and way before new entrants, as the latter struggled to do oil exploration using massive foreign investments. As these investments are paid out they realised that they have not invested much in sustainable energy, or redevelopment of their country. Blood money pass hands amongst corrupted officials, and their citizens lay barren in need of basic amenities. Central Asian countries are now oozing money, as their uranium powers the world.
The Chair knew that this day will come. When the world will literally quiet down as the energy source depletes. The OPEC building itself is solar powered. Its staff have been offered separation schemes. Some decided to work in alternative energy projects.
* * *
In the tropics: sun shines brightly & solar energy
* * *
Community farms and kerosene to light up at night. Tree planting for wood fire.
* * *
Roads emptier. Bicycles sale soars. Horse riding and horse carriages industry develop?
* * *
What else would happen?
posted by elya at 8:04 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home