I run a pretty economical car, so what about the increasing costs for heavy transport? If we think the rise in petrol is steep, just consider the rising price of oil. A year ago a barrel cost $60, now it has soared to $145. Why is this happening?

The answer looks straightforward. Demand for oil is increasing faster than it can be supplied and the main reason for this is the economic growth in China and India. But on the supply side of the story another facet is being shown. It is called peak oil. This is the point where you can no longer increase oil production because it is starting to run out. The oil wells of the USA peaked in 1970, the North Sea in 1999. When production reaches its peak the remaining oil is diminishing, becomes more difficult to extract, which means it costs more.

Worldwide it looks like the oil boom of the 20th century is over. There won't be more cheap oil. Prices will go on getting higher. Whether we like it or not, we will have to get used to using less. We need to make the transition to a low energy, low oil society.



The town's new environmental group, A Greener Hawick, was launched in May and is working towards Hawick becoming a Transition Town. Throughout the UK, more and more towns are joining the Transition movement, which involves finding the best way locally to adapt to a new way of doing things. Biggar, Dunbar and Portobello have already became Transition Towns. Hawick is well placed. It once used the water that flows through the town to power its mills and could do so again.

The group is looking at how to reduce energy needs in the town, for example by increasing home insulation, how to open up new energy sources and how and where we can grow more local food. The Borders used to be a great area for fruit.

In this column, I'll be bringing you news of what is happening with A Greener Hawick, the reasons behind it and how we can all become involved. Why not join us? Pick up a form at Damascus Drum, Quintus or the Oxfam shop.

Dr Michael Shallis is a former Oxford University lecturer and research scientist, who has followed the research into climate change since the early 1970s. He retired to Roberton in 1993 and is chairman of A Greener Hawick and principal officer of Borthwick Water Community Development Trust.