Energy Crisis is TRUTH!

After I read the article called, “Energy Crisis Not so much about Energy,” published by Elaine Posluszny, I have been thinking about how to make some people change their minds respect to the relationship between energy and environment. Most of the people are just thinking on themselves and on their generation, but what about the future generations? What are we doing to guarantee that next generation enjoy the same benefits that we already have? In the article, “Energy Crisis Not so much about Energy,” the author gives the reader several facts related to energy and environment which deny the existence of the energy crisis and indirectly accuse environmentalists for exaggerating the reality of the oil. I disagree with some of these ideas for the reasons that I will explain in the next paragraphs.

First of all, the article begins with the next question, “How can the United States have a crisis over energy when we have more coal reserves than any other nation in the world?” Although this fact is true, the author does not take into an account that population and coal consumption are increasing, and it well known that coal is a fossil fuel and that one day it will be over. In addition, in paragraph one, the author says that environment “should be considered separate from the claim of an "Energy Crisis." In my opinion, these two issues are much related. Then, they cannot be separated. Due to the high dependence of fossil fuels, mankind releases to the atmosphere large amount of greenhouse gases, which are contributing to the global warming. In addition, the article makes an interesting statement. “To be clear, America is not lacking in fossil fuel deposits. The reservoirs in parts of Colorado and Utah could hold "upwards of 1 trillion barrels of oil"- more than 3 times the proven reserves in Saudi Arabia.” I totally disagree with this statement. It is well known that there is a fossil crisis in America and in the rest of the world. According to a study made by the Central Intelligence Agency CIA, in January 2008, “the world oil reserve is 1,332,000,000,000, from which Saudi Arabia is the country number one with more reserves, 266,800,000,000, and the U.S. is the country N. 13 with 20,970,000,000.” In order to understand this, it is necessary to explain briefly how oil is formed. According to the Energy Information Administration, “Oil was formed from the remains of animals and plants that lived millions of years ago in a marine (water) environment before the dinosaurs. Over the years, the remains were covered by layers of mud. Heat and pressure from these layers helped the remains turn into what we today call crude oil.” With this explanation, it is very clear that oil is a nonrenewable source. It means that one day, it will be over, and it will take millions of years to be formed again. But the real problem with the fossil fuels like oil is that while it is decreasing, oil consumption is increasing. Today, the world has approximately 6.8 billion people, and it is expected by 2050 to have 9.3 billion people which will increase the oil consumption. According to the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, “From now to 2020, world oil consumption will rise by about 60%. Transportation will be the fastest growing oil-consuming sector. By 2025, the number of cars will increase to well over 1.25 billion from approximately 700 million today.” Then, there is not balance between oil offer and demand, which is already producing an energy crisis.

Moreover, it is important to have into account that some countries such as India, Brazil and China are growing very fast, and they are demanding a lot of energy, which make the oil scarcer and more expensive. According to the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, “In the next two decades, China's oil consumption is expected to grow at a rate of 7.5% per year and India’s 5.5%. (Compare to a 1% growth for the industrialized countries). It will be strategically imperative for these countries to secure their access to oil.” Again, oil dependence is growing up, but the source is shortening. Furthermore, the article, “Energy Crisis Not so much about Energy,” also makes another interesting comment about environment. It says that Energy Crisis “should be labeled the Environmentalists Anxiety Crisis.” With this statement, it could be inferred the point of view of the author respect to environment. It seems that the author does not believe the connection between fossil fuels, and their impact on the environment. But fortunately, scientists have showed that fossil fuels like oil, coal or natural gas have been affecting the environment killing many animals, plants and species and also depleting the habitats. In addition, fossil fuels are the first contributor to the global warming by releasing large amount of Carbon Dioxide and other greenhouse gases. According to the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, “The United States continues to be the largest single national source of fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions with emissions of 1577 million metric tons of carbon in 2005.” The U.S. is the top contributor of carbon dioxide, and the reason is the Americans high dependence on fossil fuels. Finally, the author makes another interesting comment when she says “It is dangerous for a country to be dependent on another for any reason, political or economic, and it is even more dangerous when a country to dependent on another who's political nature differs so greatly, as America and Saudi Arabia's do. So we should lessen that dependence and dig into the great gift of oil beneath our own surface.” I agree with the first part of this statement that talks about that a country should not depend on another country’s resources. Each country should work harder to find its own sources of energy that substitute fossil fuels. Although I agree with the first part, I totally disagree with the second part that says that encourages oil consumption.

In conclusion, I think that scientist community should work harder to find a renewable source of energy that substitutes fossil fuels. Governments should invest more money to support universities and scientists research to find renewable and environmentally friendlier sources of energy, and finally, people should save the scarce fossil fuel energy that we have today.