In fairness to Heinberg et al, it is true that petroleum is an extremely energy dense substance and, from a lay perspective, no alternative seems visible at the present. However, it would be very interested in hearing scientists actually versed in the field address the viability of wind technology, hydrogen, solar etc. SR
^^^^ CB: Alarmingly, as has become apparent from various discussions of this issue here and on related lists, wind, hydrogen and solar do not fill the bill of no fossil fuels. In general, several of the alternatives take more energy input (usually as fossil fuel) to prepare than they replace in power output. Humanity seems in a serious bind. The market is not trustworthy for solving it.