Comments on: Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong Suited to a Peak Oil World

By: Simon Tay

Simon Tay — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:44:00 +0000

Thank you for writing for my country however as a peak oiler myself, I see lot's of public denial about this topic and even some regard it as a taboo subject.

Imagine the lack of preparation in my country for peak oil effects? It's going to be tough.

The world is going to be a different world.

We import virtually EVERYTHING.

By: Deron Kawamoto

Deron Kawamoto — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:49:23 +0000

I think that you are correct when looking at the effects of energy scarcity on the first pass. The problem is the second-order effects that I think are likely to swamp the impact of the first-order effects. Economic depression and desperation often cause people and nations to do foolish things.

Major wars often occur at such times and city-states are too small and weak to survive in that environment. Heck, last time Singapore couldn't be defended even with over 100,000 troops from all over the British Empire. What will happen to Dubai if the US pulls out of the Middle East and Iran gets frisky?

By: Jeoff

Jeoff — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:49:12 +0000

I usually like your articles Dan, but this is too simplistic a look on these areas. I would lean on your side in this case of Dubai but certainly not on Singapore, or even more dangerously, Hong Kong. Peak oil would *severely* disrupt their economies and they have virtually no domestic resources to live on.

By: Tim A

Tim A — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 07:15:48 +0000

Surely dependence on trade, tourism and finance industries are liabilities, not assets. Trade requires shipping, tourism requires transport, finance depends on growing economies. These are all going to be impacted by declining energy availability. Isn't demand for these services going to contract?