Confused by the media about what's happening with oil prices and how we might sensibly respond? Here's a quick look at what the some economically conservative voices are saying.

This excerpt of Daniel Lerch's presentation at the Spirit of Red Hill Valley 2007 lecture in Hamilton, Ontario, categorizes some of the short and long term challenges that peak oil will present to local governments. A good introduction for colleagues who may have heard of peak oil but don't associate it with local issues.

Post Carbon Institute's Julian Darley and Richard Heinberg present the facts and relevance of peak oil for local policymakers. What is peak oil? What's the evidence? Why don't we just drill for more? How does this relate to climate change? And what can policymakers do in the face of these daunting challenges? A good introductory video.

Two years ago, when Portland created the Peak Oil Task Force, it sounded apocalyptic. Not anymore. Summer of 2008 may be remembered as the moment we awoke from our long national gas binge. Whether oil production has peaked or will do so in a few decades is almost academic. Every fill-up knocks home the realization that we can't afford to go on like this.

A proposed resolution submitted on Feb 26, 2008, to the parliamentary group of Bündnis90/Die Grünen-GAL (the Green Party in Hamburg) after intensive discussions within the Peak Oil Group Hamburg, with the intention of submitting the resolution for approval to the state parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (Bürgerschaft).

ASPO-USA hosts their fourth annual "Dialogue with the Experts," a high-level conference to discuss impacts of and responses to a peak in world oil production. ASPO Week will consist of three days of high-level energy discussions, including a pre-conference day, daytime and evening presentations, and mix & meet receptions with speakers and sponsors.

The Center for Energy, Environment and Economics at the New York Institute of Technology is hosting their third annual conference, titled Energy Shock and Climate Change: Sustainable Solutions for Converging Crises. A full day of speakers and panelists, including Post Carbon Cities' Daniel Lerch, will explore the issues of climate and energy uncertainty.

Presentations and reports presented at the 2007 Challenge of Global Warming and Peak Oil for Local Government conference, sponsored by the Municipal Association of Victoria (Australia), illuminate many aspects of the issue for local governments.

Maribyrnong City Council, covering the inner suburban area west of the centre of Melbourne, is rapidly proving itself to be Australia's (if not the world's) most peak oil aware council. On Tuesday 15th April, the council unanimously endorsed a Peak Oil Policy and Action Plan.

Planning for likely high oil prices and reduced supply of oil is essential to avoid the worst consequences and ensure public services can be provided in a timely and economic manner. Maribyrnong Council's Peak Oil Policy and Action Plan describes how they will continue to deliver community programs and services in spite of global oil price increases.