With demand already outpacing supplies, alternatives to fossil fuels need to be developed.

The plethora of recent letters, TV commentary, editorials and articles about our terrifying national mistakes culminates now in the Hurricane Katrina post-crisis documentation. Complementing the abundant analysis and criticism is the dearth of logic in our planning and implementation, coupled with a frightening lack of leadership. I have read that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security structure were established to react to such crises immediately and efficiently. Well? I have read also that reduction in funding for Louisiana levee repair by the Army Corps of Engineers may have seriously exaggerated Katrina’s devastation.

The Sun Journal editorial on windmills (Sept. 13) begins by pointing out the folly of our seemingly insatiable fossil fuel dependence and our collective lack of energy understanding. Katrina and Rita in its wake have given us still another sample of our crisis incompetence with a strange indifference to cataclysmic need.

There is a new crisis coming soon, much bigger than anything before: We will run out of oil.

Peak oil, the point at which supply and demand will force oil production to start declining, is here now. John Howe’s book, “The End of Fossil Energy,” provides the facts defining our energy emergency and the proximate catastrophes. Howe, who lives in Norway, did the research and publication all at his own expense. He did it for all the consumers.

If someone yelled “fire” in a crowded movie theater where people are busy being entertained, would individuals stop watching and react? Count on it. Here’s the equivalent in our world-wide theater. The least people can do is stop to investigate and consider Howe’s suggestions for saving our country.

Most disasters come with little or no warning. There is still time until the next one if people pay attention now. Another worthwhile reference is the August issue of National Geographic. Howe’s book provides an excellent bibliography as well as a list of Web sites. It’s available in some book stores and online.

Hydrogen is not an answer. It is extremely volatile (gaseous state) at room temperature, requiring more energy to get it than it gives back. It is good for cautious energy storage and transport but such advantages are virtually minuscule. Nor is science about to release some new and revolutionary idea. Nuclear power is expensive. The plant brings its own internal dangers – the 1986 Chernobyl threat has not gone away; site construction takes years; sites are considered strong terrorist temptations; and the problem of waste disposal has no solution. Coal is a wonderful pollutant, a real danger to health. Using more will make that worse. Unfortunately, in spite of the risk, we will likely need to increase coal production at least for a while. But there won’t be enough natural gas to make a difference.

Two renewable energy sources remain the most attractive – solar panels and windmills. Theoretically, we have the technical ability to produce all of our electricity needs from these benign devices. Solar panels also have some transportation potential. The oil saved could then be reserved for aircraft, hospitals, emergency vehicles and the military. This, it would seem, dictates stockpiling crude oil starting now. Obviously, we won’t be alone at this. Up goes the price and down comes availability. Trains may have to replace long-distance trucks while ocean travel will be restricted to non-human cargo. SUVs will become antiques.

The subtitle to Howe’s book is “Last Chance for Sustainability.” What will it take to wake us all up in time? Does anyone care about our country beyond next week? Let’s not let oil depletion become another bad example. Neglected, it could destroy the whole United States.

Petroleum has been civilization’s greatest benefactor. How ironic if our apathy to its abuse leads to its becoming an adversary, a detriment, sending us at least part way back to the 19th century.

People are the government. People must act now to conserve, preserve, protect and sponsor development, expansion and use of renewable energy sources. We must stop the glut now. We must help to direct our nation toward positive action.

George B. Flint is a retired electrical engineer living in Norway.