Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: What the Price of Oil Means for the Way We Live - Softcover

Our civilization as we know it is entirely dependant on cheap oil. And that civilization is about to get the shock of its life. Our systems of trade, finance, shipping and manufacturing, of labour and international relations are all going to be affected as oil supplies dwindle and prices skyrocket. Soaring energy costs are not going to get thrown into reverse; but, as a direct result, the machinery of globalization certainly will.

For years Jeff Rubin has been accurately predicting how the world's dwindling oil supply will affect oil prices. Now he shares his predictions for what is going to happen next. He explains why the conventional rules of economics don't work when it comes to oil markets and shows why oil prices will continue to rise in the coming years, even as demand increases. He reveals how globalization and developing economies are accelerating depletion of oil reserves and pushing prices ever higher, and in turn shows how this will lead to a new inflation, with higher food prices and transport costs. But there is good news: as Rubin shows, skyrocketing oil prices will lead to a new kind of localised living, in which we'll reinvigorate our national manufacturing industries, embrace local food production and make positive changes in where and how we live and work.

Cheap Oil = Foreign imports. Huge houses. Big cars. Binge flying.

Expensive Oil = Local food. Local industry. Small cars. Fewer flights.

We are poised on the brink of massive change. Our civilisation depends entirely upon cheap oil. It is the fuel that keeps the machinery of globalisation in motion, but as oil prices fluctuate and high prices become the norm, rather than the exception our oil-dependant, long-distance lifestyles are becoming untenable.

For years leading economist and expert on oil prices Jeff Rubin has been nearly alone in his predictions of oil scarcity and price hikes. Now he shares his insights into why oil prices are going to rise irreversibly over the coming years and what will happen to our way of life as a result. He explains why the conventional rules of economics simply don't work for oil markets and reveals how the wheels of globalisation will be thrown into reverse by the end of cheap oil. This will lead to dramatic changes in how we all do business, how we live and where we get our food, which will have profound, even positive effects on our economy and way of life. But the transition to a world without cheap oil is going to be a sharp shock for all of us.

Bold, articulate and utterly convincing, this is a fascinating insight into our collective future. Get ready for your world to get a whole lot smaller.
Jeff Rubin is the Chief Economist and Chief Strategist at CIBC World Markets. He was one of the first economists to accurately predict soaring oil prices back in 2000 and is now one of the world's most sought after energy experts.