Eventually, alternative forms of energy will come about once folks have had enough, but it will take awhile.
With all the environmental wackos that forced all these laws and prices on us Americans, where are they in forcing China to grow without oil like they try with us.
"Alternative" fuels will come into greater use when the economics of them versus the economics of fossil fuels creates the improved market for "alternatives".
Natural, market-driven higher oil prices are the best, fairest and most efficient incentive for that development.