In the developed world, oil and its derivative products are completely and inextricable interwoven through all parts of the society and economy. It’s inter-connectivity is all-encompassing, with all parts of civilisation interacting with and dependant upon one another simply by the fact that they are part of the same system.

Similar to the complex eco-system of a forest, it is almost impossible to analyse through consideration of its individual parts. Each component plays a part in maintaining that ecosystem to form a fragile equilibrium, and any event affecting one part will affect the entire ecosystem. And peak oil is upon us.