I read Powerdown shortly after The Party’s Over, Heinberg’s earlier book on the subject of hydrocarbon depletion. The two books are very closely related with Powerdown containing many references to the other. For this reason I would not recommend Powerdown to anyone who hasn’t already read The Party’s Over or already has a good understanding of Peak Oil.

Powerdown doesn’t aim to convince the reader of Peak Oil theory. It is taken as read that oil depletion is upon us and sometime soon the rate of oil extraction will decline. For this reason anyone who hasn’t already accepted this may not get on well with book.

What the book does cover are four scenarios for the future given than less oil is going to be available in the near future than today. Briefly the four scenarios can be described as:

Last One Standing: resource wars to control what remains.
Powerdown: cooperation and conservation to manage oil depletion whilst maximising the remaining way of life.
Waiting for a Magic Elixir: waiting for a ’solution’ be it fusion, renewables, new discoveries etc… denial of the problem.
Building Lifeboats: accepting that the current way of life can not continue, we should act to preserve the best bits, preservation.

All points are well argued although Heinberg doesn’t hide his personal political opinions, I expect this could put off anyone with opposing political views.

The saddest thing about this book is that the two things we need to do (powerdown and preservation) aren’t being done whilst the two things that only amplify the problem are being done (resource wars and denial).

Anyone who’s read The Party’s Over should definitely read this. The arguments are tighter, more mature and thought out. It is clear that Heinberg has refined his analysis between the two books.

Highly recommended.

Powerdown, Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World
Richard Heinberg
Paperback 224 pages (October 25, 2004)
Publisher: Clairview Books
ISBN: 1902636635