"In the 20th century, mankind's massive material and financial progress were only made possible by the exploitation of oil. Oil was a main force in global geopolitics and the driving force behind unprecedented industrialization. Oil has been such a powerful lynch pin that it is hard to believe that its days of prominence may be waning. But as demand for oil steadily increases and reserves are consumed, oil is in the autumn of its life. In its place will increasingly emerge an array of alternative— non-fossil-fuel —energy technologies, both high tech and old tech. This is the dawn of the alternative energy age..."

"Oil—It drives the planet; it is the fuel for transportation, a key source of heat and a critical component of virtually millions of products, from clothing to construction materials. But given that the supply is finite, there are two inescapable facts about oil and other fossil-based fuels: the supply eventually will be depleted and along the way, demand will outstrip production capacity..."

"China has seen two revolutions in half a century—a political one which shook the balance of power after World War II and an economic one, which could well remake the global economic landscape this century transforming China into the world's most dominant economy..."