A Preliminary Assessment of a Rural County’s Chances of Surviving Peak Oil

The Mayo Energy Audit 2009-2020 is an investigation into the implications of peak oil and subsequent fossil fuel depletion for a rural county in west of Ireland. The study draws together many different strands to examine current energy supply and demand within the area of study, and assesses these demands in
the face of the challenges posed by the declining production of fossil fuels and expected disruptions to supply chains, and by long term economic recession.

Perhaps not too surprisingly, the outlook is not good. Although the area studied has a wealth of untapped and undeveloped renewable energy resources, and a relatively low population to support, the audit clearly demonstrates that not more than a small fraction of current energy demand can be met by renewable sources of energy.

The authors of the study evaluate each individual resource on a case by case basis and make an assessment of what might be achievable by 2020 and beyond. Very little is taken for granted with regard to emerging but unproven technologies. Instead, the authors focus primarily on the technologies already available,
and examine how these sectors might be developed further.

The links between economic growth, resource depletion and energy use are established early in the report. It is acknowledged that economic growth will not occur in a world of declining energy resources. Furthermore, not only is the free market economic model - which prioritises shareholder’s dividends over social and civic responsibility - incapable of delivering a sustainable society, it also bears much
responsibility for creating the problems humanity now faces.

The inescapable conclusion is that the structure of society will have to be transformed in order to adapt to a much lower supply of energy. In the future, much will have to be done differently. While the problem is global, the solutions will be largely be local, community based ones in which cooperation takes precedence over competition.

The Mayo Energy Audit asks crucial questions about the way in which society both defines and organises itself. While not attempting to provide a definitive list of answers, it offers guidance as to the direction societies might take in order to survive peak oil.

More on the Mayo Audit

"The Mayo Energy Audit is a ground-breaking study which investigates how the county of Mayo might adapt to the challenges posed by fossil fuel depletion and global warming. It is intended to form the basis for a comprehensive strategic energy action plan for Mayo. The audit has examined all of Mayo’s renewable energy resources as well as considering the future role of fossil fuels. It represents the first regional study of its type to be carried out in Ireland."
 
"The Mayo Audit highlights some of the steps that need to be taken by individuals, communities, local and national government to prepare for a future of diminished energy supplies. While some of the recommendations are specific to Mayo, many of them are applicable to almost any community currently dependent on fossil fuels for its energy supplies. The authors, Andy Wilson and Paul Lynch, hope that the study will be a template for similar studies carried out at local and regional level."

Ordering a Copy

Copies of the Mayo Audit may be ordered directly from the Sustainability Institute.

Click on the link below:

Mayo Audit

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