Oil Shortages in a Hungry World

Most people have refused to accept the magnitude of the oil crisis that is coming on like a gigantic tidal wave. They think the hybrid auto, Ethanol, solar power or wind energy will save them. But they all add up to very little savings in the face of a surging energy demand. The hopeful claim there is enough oil to meet this expanding demand, and that we have nothing to fear. Others say the demands for more energy will self destruct as prices rise. But the nature of that demand is so powerful that even higher energy costs cannot stop its tremendous force.

Oil wells are working at full capacity pumping out as much oil as possible. Every attempt at increasing production has resulted in only a small gain. No new oil fields have been discovered that are large enough to meet this growing demand for more oil. Now is the time for the world to accept that there will not be enough oil available to meet the demands of every nation. And even if they accept that dark reality the demand for more oil will not go away. The problem requires a solution.

Nations will pay any price to obtain the oil necessary to fuel their economy. China and India will not stop meeting the oil demands of their expanding economies only because the United States needs that same oil. Common sense says that there will be fierce competition between nations for a share of what is available. The possibility of military confrontation exists unless oil demands decrease.

World wide demand for oil is not decreasing despite higher prices and conservation. The economies of China and India are booming and will continue to do so even if oil reaches 300 dollars a barrel. They have billions of people with dreams of obtaining the luxuries of the western world. Those dreams will never end as long as there is a drop of oil available for their nation.

This situation is similar to the one where there are ten survivors on a lifeboat and only enough water to last one more day. Rather than them all dying they draw lots and the losers are thrown overboard. Is it the right time for the nations of the world to draw lots? If it is, I hope our nation is one of the winners.
melpol