Can you Imagine a World without Oil

We live in a world today completely dominated by energy, in it's obtainment, security and consumption. It is the bedrock of our wealth, our comfort, lifestyles and an essential ingredient in economic and social growth. We produce and consume energy throughout almost every part of our daily regime. From feeding ourselves, hygiene, transport, to educate and entertain, to construct and reconstruct our world.

Oil on its own has changed the lives and lifestyles of many, in ways to numerous to mention. Black gold or Texas tea, no matter what you name it oil has many a tale to tell playing as the currency of political and economic power in a world dependent on it's supply.

Everything we buy and in almost every action we take, from a coffee at a cafe to fruit at a country roadside stall, from the chair your sitting on to a ticket to a football game, from medical services and supplies to the daily garbage collection, from supermarket shelves full of your favorite products to the new 'must have' gadget, oil has been a part of it all.

So can you imagine a world without it? First thoughts probably turn to the bowser and transport, although a world without oil would have devastating and far reaching effects on lifestyles, industries and economies. Actually, devastating is probably an understatement.

It's also worth remembering that energy was at that core of winning world war one.



For decades we have lived and as a civilization developed under the supply and use of cheap energy, but that last forever. As developing nations come online and want we have come to enjoy, they too will grow a thirst for oil and add to the demand on world supplies. Role into the equation Peak Oil, the nationalization of oil assets and unstable regimes and regions.

A brief look at history has a story to tell - past major oil production drops such as the Arab Oil embargo of 1974, the Iranian revolution in 1979 and the 1991 Persian Gulf War all resulting in price spikes pushing the world into recession. These were only temporary issues, or just disruptions to delivery, one could only imagine the large scale effect of dry wells.

It's also incredibly costly to have the modern world dependent on single product for it's existence. He who controls the oil controls the world, and the battle for control continues on and on.

With such a cost in terms of war, possible climate effects and the economic risk from supply disruption/decline why do we remain dependent on this product - Big Oil? Hardly, the major oil companies have long lost their power to domestic and geo-politics, now resigned to being not much more than merchant bankers with their name on a bowser.

So where does the future lie?
The list of potential substitutes to crude oil based fuels is growing including bio-fuel from sources such as waste and plant matter, hydrogen, cellulosic ethanol or algae based bio-diesels. Or an electric car that is charged from power stations running on natural gas, solar, geothermal, nuclear fission or fusion.

The underlying technology or source isn't the total answer.

The answer is the United States of America. The US is the only country with the economic power and influence, technological expertise and the international standing, hand in hand with it's citizens to mold a new world energy economy. When America acts the rest of the world will follow.

And it's the exactly what the US does best, it solves the worlds problems. Solving the worlds energy needs may also be the solution to re-bolstering the US economy with an export the world can't live without.

Originally submitted by: Jack Sampson