Peak oil | National Museum of Australia

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The sharp increase in petrol prices throughout the year gave rise to concerns that global oil production had reached its peak. Many cartoonists were quick to comment on the increased price at the bowser and its impact on the Australian public. Others offered a long-term glimpse into a future without fossil fuels.

Political cartoon of a man swinging his small, smiling baby up in the air above his head. The baby has its arms thrown out and is smiling broadly. The man says, 'What?! Don't look at me that way – you'd have used up all the oil too, if you'd gotten to it first. Sheesh!' - click to view larger image — 'You'd have used up all the oil too' by Andrew Weldon

Political cartoon featuring a recent model car sitting on concrete blocks in the grass. Its licence plate is falling off, a sign in front of it says 'Dinosaur' and, in the distance, part of the another car also sits in the grass on blocks. In the background, two men in white shirts and ties carrying briefcases walk past looking towards the cars. One of them says 'On the bright side ... in a million years it will be fossil fuel!' Behind the men is a petrol station with the price signage displaying '800.9'. - click to view larger image — 'Dinosaur cars' by Paul Zanetti

Political cartoon of a dog wearing eyeglasses and a red bow tie stands on two legs with his arms behind his back. Next to him stands a boy in shorts, also wearing glasses and a Kevin 07 T-shirt. They resemble the characters Mr Peabody and Sherman, from the Rocky and Bullwinkle show in the 1950s. Behind them a complex machine is drawn on the wall. It includes a variety of dials, vials, arrows, wires, knobs, screens, meters and other parts. The words 'Danger' 'OPEC' and 'ALP Spin' are labels on the machine. The boy says 'Mr. Peabody, the time machine won't take us back to when petrol prices were affordable'. The dog says 'Oils ain't oils, Kevin'. - click to view larger image — 'Oils ain't oils, Kevin' by Peter Broelman

Political cartoon of a car with an open boot and engine bay bonnet is piled high with a range of domestic objects including clothing, golf clubs, socks, a mailbox, two umbrellas, a pillow, a school painting, a clock, family photos in frames, a potted plant and a TV. A variety of stickers and signs are stuck to the car, saying 'No junk mail', 'Rob's room', 'Kevin 07' and 'Home Sweet Home'. A woman with a baby and an older child is crammed into the front seat. A man in his undershirt and trousers holds a coffee cup and stands in front of the car. Next to the man with his back to him stands Kevin Rudd in gray suit and red tie. The man says to Kevin Rudd 'Can't afford to drive it and can't afford to rent or buy. So I guess we're doing our bit to save the planet, what do you reckon Kev?'. - click to view larger image — 'Can't afford to drive it' by Zeg

Political cartoon of a man and a woman, facing the viewer, walk up a long, dusty road somewhere in the outback, both carrying petrol containers. Their car is parked further down the road with its hood up. In the foreground of the cartoon a series of six signs of different sizes and shapes, that they must have driven past, say, 'Peak oil', Caution!', 'Go back', 'Warning No more fuel', ' Point of no return', 'Continue' at your own peril!' The speech bubble above the woman's head says, 'Why didn't someone warn us?!'. - click to view larger image — 'Peak oil – why didn't someone warn us?!' by Alan Moir

Political cartoon of a gaunt man in shorts and sleeveless T-shirt stands in front of a petrol bowser with the nozzle in his mouth. The bowser has the label 'Bio fuel'. - click to view larger image — 'Feeding the poor' by Ian Sharpe

Climate change

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