NORWAY — John Howe of Waterford, local engineer, farmer, writer, activist and long distance runner, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, at the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy, Fare Share Commons, 447 Main St.

He will speak about the fifth and final edition of his book, “The End of Fossil Energy and Per-Capita Oil.”

For over a decade, Howe, an engineer by trade and the designer and builder of a solar-powered tractor, portable grain thresher and other solar-powered devices, has been studying “peak oil” and how it will impact the future of a growing population in the U.S. and beyond.

In his book, Howe looks at consumption and production rates of crude oil, which is the backbone of the U.S. transportation and agricultural sectors, and compares this to the growing demand for automobile transportation and food commodities.

While gas and oil prices are now low, Howe warns that this will soon change as global demand increases and easily accessible reserves dwindle. A self-desribed “numbers guy,” Howe, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, will present various scenarios based on production, consumption and population variables.

After Howe’s presentation, center staff will host a forum on what can be done to lessen the impacts of dwindling oil supplies on our long-range prospects as a community, a nation and civilization in general.

For information call 207-739-2124 or 207-739-2101, or go to ecologybasedeconomy.org.