When the oil runs out: diary

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How it works

Discover the science behind the scenes, as the Science Shack team try to cope without oil.

Sustainable futures

It's a question of when, not if, oil will run out. What does that mean for the planet? Can we live without oil?

9am
First things first as Adam sits down determined to catch the sun's ray's and cook a full English Breakfast. The sausage however is distinctly lukewarm. However, he keeps his pecker up and is sure it will work later in the day when the sun is at a higher angle. However, even in Cornwall this morning it got at least as warm as the standard hot dog served in Britain.

10am
As the bath is emptied after last night's success, Adam explains how it was made. The recycled plastic sheets were originally milk bottle cartons and disposable coffee cups. The team bent these into this coffin-shaped bath with plastic welding guns.

11am
Adam takes a tea break but can't resist putting a Stirling engine on top of it. Adam explains that this amazing engine runs off the heat generated off the top of a cup of tea and is used in submarines and in space. It was first invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 and can run on any fuel and requires very little maintenance.

12am
It's lunch time and the lukewarm 'solar' hot dogs are still lukewarm so Adam and the team head off for a pub lunch. Post-oil pub lunches would benefit from more sun.

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