The End of Suburbia

cork | environment | event notice Wednesday November 24, 2004 13:49 by John Baker - Cork Grassroots Regrowth666 at hotmail dot com

Video Showing

The End of Suburbia

A talk by Dr. Colin Campbell and a screening of 'The End of
Suburbia- Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream'

>Tuesday December 14th Tigh Fili, MacCurtain St, Cork City 7.00pm

>The screening will be followed by a group discussion about what we
>as a community can do about the issues raised.
>Admission is EUR6 and all proceeds go to the Friends of the Hollies Fund.

Co-sponsored by Walnut Books and Cork Grassroots Network

No prior booking is neccessary. For further information email: [email protected].

See you there!

Since World War II North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. As the population of suburban sprawl has exploded in the past 50 years, so too the suburban way of life has become embedded in the American consciousness.

Suburbia, and all it promises, has become the American Dream.

But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal
honesty and a touch of irony, /The End of Suburbia/ explores the American Way of Life and its prospects as the planet approaches a critical era, as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. World Oil Peak and the inevitable decline of fossil fuels are upon us now, some scientists and policy makers argue in this documentary. The consequences of inaction in the face of this global crisis are enormous. What does Oil Peak mean for North America? As energy prices skyrocket in the coming years, how will the populations of suburbia react to the collapse of their dream? Are today's suburbs destined to become the slums of tomorrow? And what can be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid /The End of Suburbia/ ?

Here in Ireland we import over 90% of our food and over 90% of our energy, which leaves us very vunerable to any fluctuations in supply. This event will look at how much oil is left and what that means to the country as a whole. Have we reached the peak of world oil production and if so what are the implications for Ireland and for our sense of community? Does it simply mean that petrol will cost a bit more, or does it fundamentally affect the entire structure
of our society?

Dr. Colin Campbell is the world's authority on oil depletion. He worked in the oil industry for more than 30 years and since his
retirement has dedicated himself to informing the public on the true state of affairs. On Tuesday evening he will speak about the extent of remaining oil resources,where they are located and how long it will take before they run out completely.

The End of Suburbia is a new film produced in the US, which looks at the effect of oil depletion on the American way of life. It is a hard-hitting and uncompromising film that sets out very clearly where we find ourselves at the beginning of the end of the 'oil age'. It was shown recently in venues around West Cork to packed houses; this is your opportunity to see a film you can't miss.