COM310-6: Book Review 3—The Party's Over, by Richard Heinberg

Assignment: Read Richard Heinberg's The Party's Over. Critique Heinberg's book, citing brief passages directly or indirectly to illustrate. Discuss his views in light of your own experiences or observations. Given that we are approximately at (or just before or just after) global "Peak Oil,", outline briefly any changes that society must make to solve the problem implied by the book's title and state your view of the time span over which these changes should take place (and why this span).

As part of this assignment, attempt to develop a timeline for the rest of this century, with milestones at 2025, 2050, 2075, and 2100. For each of these four markers, briefly (1-2 paragraphs) provide your best projection as to how the world will be coping with the end of the Party. That is, what do you think will be the global population at each marker, what will be its usage of oil (home heating, personal transportation, industry, manufacturing, agriculture), what alternatives to oil will be coming on line (if any) to meet human needs, and finally, how will perception of needs (or actual needs themselves) be evolving?

Format: This review may be somewhat longer than our first two reviews, at your discretion. It should be printed, double spaced, 10-12pt font, 1" margins. Once again, make certain that you have proofread and that the final copy contains no typos or grammatical errors.

Due: Submit in class on 10/18.