David Stipp of Fortune has referred to climate change as "the mother of all national security issues (2004)." I see no reason to disagree, since as explained in my new textbook (2007), a peaking of global oil production in the near future could be labeled the father. Moreover, these are related, because when oil becomes less available, the use of coal will be drastically boosted, and among other Jeffrey Michel (2008) clarifies what this means. I also emphasize that one difference between a climate meltdown and a peaking of global oil production is that many readers of this contribution are certain to experience the latter; and although less traumatic than the former - should the former take place - it will not be the kind of rendezvous that Frank Sinatra described in those marvellous songs that accompanied our apr