The world's oil and conventional gas reserves are being rapidly depleted and at some point, production will begin to decline. How soon will the decline begin and can other conventional sources of energy - coal, tar sands and nuclear - be developed to prevent shortages occurring?

A. When will the world's oil and gas production peak? - Colin Campbell

Panel on the prospects for oil from tar sands

Panel on Shell's approach to oil depletion

B. Exxon-Mobil's view of the future - Harry J. Longwell

C.The role of coal in achieving energy sustainability - John T. McMullan

Panel on sequestration by Euan Baird

D. Renewable energy and nuclear power - Ian Hore-Lacy

Part Two: Do renewable energy sources have the potential to fill the gap?

It will take considerable time and energy to develop renewable energy sources and to adapt the economy to their use. Despite this, renewables may not be able to supply enough power for economic growth to continue at anything like its present rate.

A. A sustainable future? - the limits to renewables - David Elliott

B. Using the net energy concept to model the future - Malcolm Slesser

C. Switching the European economy to renewable energy over the next 50 years - Olav Hohmeyer

D. Building a Lean Economy for a fuel-poor future - David Fleming

E. The prospects for a hydrogen economy based on renewable energy - Werner Zittel

Panel on car makers' plans for liquid hydrogen refuelling

Panel on the methanol versus hydrogen debate

Part Three: How energy availability will limit Ireland's development options

If fossil fuel use is restricted by shortages or by action to slow climate change, the physical composition of an economy rather than the availability of money determines the level at which it can operate. Accordingly, the ECCO computer model focuses on energy and material flows between the various sectors of the Irish economy rather than flows of money.

Simulating a Sustainable Ireland - David Crane and Larry Staudt

Energy Analysis: A Primer

ECCO models used around the world

Part Four: EU policies and energy security

EU policies are likely to play the key role in determining the pace and extent of Ireland's transition to renewable energy and the technologies used. The next Irish presidency could help shape those policies, particularly on transport fuel.

A. The European Union's support for renewable energy - Nuala Ahern

Panel - Europe Reaches Agreement on Energy Tax Framework

B. EU policy and the development of renewable energy technologies - Andrew Gouldson

C. The risks of oil supply disruption for the transport sector - Dan Plesch

Panel - Grim energy security scenario developed for the US

Part Five: The attitude of the electricity companies to renewable energy

Major changes will be needed if an electricity supply system built on the basis that a few big plants will supply the power is to cope instead with smaller, scattered, less-constant renewable energy producers. Political and public support is required.

A. Towards a sustainable energy system - Owen Wilson

B. The challenge to the National Grid in coping with renewable power - Anne Trotter

C. Selling green electricity - a wind farmer's view - Declan Flanagan

Press release from the Commission for Energy Regulation, July 2003

Part Six: How a renewable energy economy will affect rural life

The food production and distribution system uses large amounts of fossil energy and is thus very vulnerable to fuel supply disruption and scarcity. The only sustainable approach involves much more local production for local use and changes to sewage systems.

A. How the farmers' world will change: new problems, new crops, new opportunities - Bernard Rice

B. Sustainability through local self-sufficiency - Folke Günther

C. Hydrocarbons versus carbohydrates - the continuing battle in the United States - David Morris

D. Maximising the returns from growing biomass - Michael Doran

E. The case for returning to real live horse power - Charlie Pinney

F. Moving towards zero-impact building materials - Tom Woolley

Part Seven: The potential for renewable energy in Ireland

Two elements are crucial to the development of renewable energy sources in Ireland - the quality of the resource and the quality of the people involved in developing it. This section reviews both - and the obstacles people face.

A. Ireland's renewable energy resources and its energy demand - Kevin Healion

B. An overview of bioenergy in Ireland - Seamus Hoyne

C. Small-scale hydro - the potential to grow but no incentive - David Miller

D. Ireland's geothermal potential - Brian Connor

E. Solar power is accessible to all - Douglas Gordon

F. Wind energy in Ireland - the present situation - Inge Buckley

Part Eight: The Way Ahead

It is crucially important that the world begins making the massive investments required to start the switch to renewables now, before oil and gas production peaks, so that enough fossil energy is available. Waiting a few years could condemn millions to misery.

A. The editor's conclusions: so little time and so much to do - Richard Douthwaite

B. Rules and guidelines for the Energy Challenge game - Jackie Carpenter

C. Hail and farewell - Pádraig Culbert and Richard Behel

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