Remember the oil crisis of the 1970's? The production of America's oil peaked that decade and we became more dependent on foreign oil. The End of Cheap Oil creates an uncertain reality for all of us. It's hard to know how to respond, what to expect, how to plan for the future. We have an ominous feeling that it will change our lives more drastically and permanently than the Great Depression, Sputnick, or the Cold War ever did. It looks like the Industrial Age and the Information/ Service Age will be followed by a Post-Carbon Age, where the developed nations learn to return to Third World modes of living.

The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, which has a long history of involvement in civic, social, and economic issues, is hosting an environmental forum this Sunday to address the coming of global "Peak Oil" and how we can respond and take action locally. The Forum will be held at the [Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church]church at 2931 Kingston Pike at 11:15 on Sunday, July 9. Guests are welcome. There will be a vegetarian potluck following at 12:30.

The reality of "Peak Oil" and the challenge it represents will be presented by Geoff Trowbridge, a student at Gaia University who has researched the topic extensively. His presentation will be followed by four local experts, each of whom will present important parts of the solution: Jonathan Overly, Executive Director of East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition; Sabrina DeVault, representing Beardsley Community Garden; Jill Wolverton, Smart Trips coordinator for the Knoxville Region Transportation Planning Organization; and Rachel Matvy, Stewardship Coordinator for Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light.. Members of the TVUUC Environmental Committee will offer suggestions for specific ways individuals can respond to the coming oil crisis and Gene Burr, local architect/planner and committee chair, will moderate the one-hour Forum. Please join us for this timely and informative discussion of how our children's lives will change and what we can do about it now.