Ted Talk: Transition to a World Without Oil / Rob Hopkins - Activities Blog #2

Summary
     This was  a video surrounding the issues of peak oil and a transition away from an oil driven world.  Rob Hopkins discusses how society has discovered a non renewable resource, oil, and has based an entire way of life around it.  He presents how society's well being is directly related to oil, and how there will not be this luxury in the near future.  Hopkins offers the solution of taking a "realistic approach" in order to move forward and face the current situation.  He makes it clear that change cannot be based on technology alone.  In order to improve the above issues the concept of "Transition Response" is proposed.  Hopkins describes this concept as looking at the issues that society faces, and responding with integrity and adaptability.  He touches on the idea of resilience versus sustainability, saying that resilience focuses on reorganizing the function of basic processes, and in turn this reorganization will create a more resilient society.  Hopkins closes his discussion by saying that society does not have to change everything right now, but society needs to work with the current changes.  Overall, this video was able to highlight the current issues surrounding peak oil, and offers realistic solutions for the societies that are ready to implement change.

My Impressions
     I feel as though this video does a great job of emphasizing the current issues of oil use without forcing it in my face.  To me Rob Hopkins is a great speaker, and he is able to draw his audience in with the use of humour and intelligence.  I like the comparison between resilience and sustainability, and feel as though the concept of resilience described by Hopkins is achievable.  I found the data presented to be quite informative.  I was interested to learn that there are 98 oil producing nations, and that 65 out of the 98 have already reached peak oil.  Another great part of the video was the insight into Hopkins Transition Response organization.  Hearing about the differences that people are creating all around the world gives me a sense of hope, and also compels me to become involved.  I enjoyed this video and the positive changes that is is promoting.