[Curt]

Demand comes from temptation. Temptation is a human fault that has got man into trouble for generations. Temptation also gets other animal species into trouble. Make it more difficult for those who dangle the tempting carrots in front of our noses and you reduce the temptation and thus the demand. But that ain't gonna happen in a capitalistic society because demand is wealth and wealth, well that's power. Kill advertising and we kill much of the demand - but what government is going to start by killing advertising? Just look how long it has taken warnings on tobacco packets to filter through and actually start having a positive effect on the masses - some would argue it still hasn't and only imposing on individuals "rights" by banning smoking in certain places will have a greater effect. That's the humble cigarette, Global Warming and the actions needed to stem it seriously would go far beyond denying such an individuals "right". The effects on corporations would be massive. It will take somebody with enormous balls and power to even start to change things.

Sam - all hell will break loose long before the fossil fuels run out. Much of the battling and jockeying going on right now in the Middle East is only the start. Control of such a vital resource is everything and I dread to think the lengths that some would go to to have that control. Only hugely succesful, cheap and environmentally friendly renewable resources will prevent something catastrophic imho. But by then the damage to our beautiful planet may well be irreversible.