The next twenty years will be completely
unlike the last twenty years.
The world is in economic crisis, and there
are no easy fixes to our predicament. Unsustainable trends in the economy,
energy, and the environment have finally caught up with us and are converging
on a very narrow window of time—the "Twenty-Teens." The Crash
Course presents our predicament and illuminates the path ahead, so you can
face the coming disruptions and thrive--without fearing the future or
retreating into denial. In this book you will find solid facts and grounded
reasoning presented in a calm, positive, non-partisan manner.
Our money system places impossible demands
upon a finite world. Exponentially rising levels of debt, based on
assumptions of future economic growth to fund repayment, will shudder to a halt
and then reverse. Unfortunately, our financial system does not operate in
reverse. The consequences of massive deleveraging will be severe.
Oil is essential for economic growth. The
reality of dwindling oil supplies is now internationally recognized, yet
virtually no developed nations have a Plan B. The economic risks to
individuals, companies, and countries are varied and enormous. Best-case,
living standards will drop steadily worldwide. Worst-case, systemic financial
crises will toss the world into jarring chaos.
This book is written for those who are
motivated to learn about the root causes of our predicaments, protect
themselves and their families, mitigate risks as much as possible, and control
what effects they can. With challenge comes opportunity, and The Crash
Course offers a positive vision for how to reshape our lives to be more
balanced, resilient, and sustainable.
