Werner Zittel

Physicist

Jorg Schindler

Retired executive

They have jointly written a chapter to Peak Oil Personalities describing their work with an institute in Munich that was established by one of pioneers of the German aviation industry. It concentrated on the energy situation and has long seen the need to develop renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels subject to depletion. They describe their efforts over many years in explaining the situation to the government and industry in Germany and elsewhere, providing many fascinating insights. The issue of Peak Oil attracted their early attention, and they came to understand the problems of ambiguous definitions and lax reporting practices. They then moved on to evaluate the global coal situation. They have produced many publications, including the book Ölwechseln (“Oil Change”), and established the Energy Watch Group, which has had an influential role.

Acceptance does not come easily, especially to the political establishment.