The alarm bells have started ringing as surveys indicate that oil will become increasingly scarce beyond 2030 at the present rate of consumption.. And to imagine a world bereft of adequate oil is simply bewildering. Oil explorations are going on all over the world and there appears to be some small pockets of suspected oil reserves, but these constitute only a fraction of the quantum needed to offset the anticipated shortages.
The signs are ominous, and if appropriate remedial measures are not immediately put in place, it is almost a certainty that by the end of 2020 most nations around the world will have to make do with less and less oil. An energy war seems to have already begun and as the world's limited oil reserves are getting depleted, the warlike situation will further worsen in the foreseeable future.

Likely Repercussions
As is known, fertilizers and pesticides cannot be produced without oil and/or natural gas. Agriculture without tractors, fertilizers and pesticides will mean a drastic fall in the production of food grain and that will lead to serious food security problems.

All manufactured goods (whether made with or without the use of oil) will become prohibitively costly as the transportation costs, whatever the mode, will sky-rocket.

As consumers will not be able to pay higher prices for agricultural as well as industrial products, there will be economic stagnation. Employers will resort to layoffs and unemployment problem will become more acute and many people may lose their homes and hearth.

The situation can lead public outrage and civil wars in many nations and the crime rate will escalate and the one possible outcome will be derailing of democratically elected governments and imposition of martial law in many countries.

Energy Alternatives
Technological innovations are the dire need of the hour for developing fuel energy alternatives. But one cannot lose sight of the current prices of oil, and the heavy investments already made in infrastructural facilities - like oil extraction, running of pipelines, oil refining, and oil distribution set-up.

America possesses the technology to harness solar energy. American solar energy would be economical as also renewable. For a startup, the initial hardware and other infrastructure has to be publicly subsidized.
Hydrogen can prove an excellent universal fuel to power automobiles, planes, trains, and ships. It can also heat residences and commercial buildings and generate electricity. A nation that succeeds in converting all power systems to run on hydrogen will cease to depend on oil. In fact, hydrogen can be synthesized from different sources of energy - that include nuclear, geothermal, biomass, wind and solar.

Scientists argue that the sole energy efficient source available is Nuclear, which can comfortably meet all requirements of the future. The biggest problem can be the safety issue. Otherwise, there can be no doubt that an investment in safe nuclear energy must be the right solution for all energy woes.