It has only taken Toronto-based author Jeff Rubin 12 days to become “controversial”.

This Friday (June 5) the former chief economist for CIBC World Markets will address the Vancouver Board of Trade at a luncheon at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

He will speak about his book, Why Your World Is About To Get A Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the End of Globalization (Random House Canada).

The Board of Trade’s June 3 press release, sent out by communications director Terry Hadley, describes Rubin as a “Controversial bestselling author & economist”.

A May 22 Board of Trade release described Rubin as an “economist and world-renowned energy expert” who will speak at an “exclusive engagement” on the only West Coast stop of his book tour.

Rubin is “controversial” because he dares to talk about peak oil.

That’s the phenomenon whereby global oil production is expected to peak and then go into inexorable decline. As it does this, prices will skyrocket.

Rubin’s book argues that the shift this will bring about will require a total reversal of globalization.

More on peak oil:
Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson promises action on peak oil
Vancouver’s long commuters face problems of peak oil
Peak-oil spike reshapes the suburbs
Is B.C. ready for peak-oil refugees?
Preparing for peak oil