The Hubbert Peak Theory

The Hubbert Peak Theory explains how the production of a finite resource—like oil—tends to follow a bell-shaped curve. Initially, extraction is slow, then accelerates rapidly as technology and demand grow. Eventually, production reaches a peak when half of the resource has been extracted. After the peak, production declines as remaining reserves become harder to access. This pattern suggests that for non-renewable resources, there’s a natural limit to how much can be produced over time, emphasizing the importance of planning for resource depletion and transition to alternative energies.