4.1 The End of Peak Oil and the PetroChemical Economy

Essential Question(s) How did the petroleum become the world's most important energy product and what does the future hold for the industry?

The petroleum boom has changed the world more than any other technological revolution in the history of our species.

Today we rely on petroleum and other carbon sources for most of our infrastructure and technology. We may be living in a time when this system will be forced to change. We will be evaluating our oil past and considering the possible futures. Before we delve into the future it is time to consider how we got here.

Part I- Visit this link to complete a short worksheet on the history of oil and evaluate how oil gets from its source to your tanks.

Part II- Watch this informative and speculative documentary about the concept of "peak oil" and the end of the petroleum economy.