When Y2k reared it's ugly head, and yes it actually was a threat, the powers that be realised the potential and ensured that it was a non-event when it occurred. Why? Because the workings of the Industrialised world depended on it.
I tend to see this in the same light. The world cannot afford the ramifications of running out of liquid energy. The onset of the problem could be delayed substantially right now by the mandating of hybrid vehicles for all. The only thing missing at the moment is the political will.
Unfortunately, with a least a trillion barrels of recoverable oil still left in the ground, Big Oil sees at least 100 trillion dollars worth of business still to be done and Government see the tax revenues that will bring.
Maybe, with the environment also at stake, the solution would be for people to start demanding these sorts of changes. (and tip all the damn 4WD's in the recycle centre!
)