Does Oil Have A Crude Future?
Black Gold & The Court of Public Opinion
“When you live on a round planet there’s no choosing sides”
Dr Wayne Dyer (May 10, 1940 – August 29, 2015)
The mechanisms that bring about societal change are born of generational ideologies, political trends, and economic movement. As the tint of commerce becomes evergreen, the gas and oil industry has been forced to produce its product in more responsible and efficient ways. Even so, the news is awash with pieces on the environmental impact of sourcing, refining, and transporting crude oil. Images and videos of evangelical activists’ chaining themselves to machinery, seizing and occupying, vandalising, and sabotaging in the name of the environment are everywhere. For them, oil production and the use of any fossil fuels must be stopped and immediately. Alternatively, if you see merit in the new adage that ‘facts don’t care about your feelings’, you may be asking if they’ve thought their ‘now or never’ sentiments through.
There’s a reason crude oil is also known as ‘Black Gold’. Not only is it the lifeblood of nations, but human development was, and still is powered by it. Are we really expected to learn to live without something the world’s economy depends on overnight?
Allow me to paint you a picture without prejudice. After you plug up the pipelines, brick up the wells, tear down the rigs, melt them and create abstract installation art, here’s what happens. There’s no import or export, and no more getting from A to Z. No oil equals no planes, trains, or automobiles, and if you are formulating the word ‘ELECTRICITY’, you are unaware of the vital part crude oil plays in its production. No oil means brownouts and blackouts, which means lights will no longer guide you home or anywhere else. Correct, electricity is in the main generated by coal, but how do we get that coal out of the ground? That’s right, gas-guzzling mining machinery.
The global market for mining and oil and gas machinery alone is estimated to be worth $324.1 billion. Which brings us neatly to the next point. No oil means huge corporations fall. Those that view things through a ‘Postmodernist Marxist’ lens like that idea. Others pause to think about the millions that would suddenly be out of work. Some think renewables will solve the problem. Well no, not just yet. Currently, all renewables combined are only able to provide 27% of the energy we humans require to continue living our cushy and comfortable lives. Yes, getting rid of black gold would counter the devastation oil spills wreak on aquatic ecosystems, rainforests, and the ozone. It would also mean kissing our mobiles, laptops, TV’s, contact lenses, toys for the kids, and favourite convenience foods goodbye. In addition, medicines, medical machinery, and anything made from plastics would disappear. Put plainly, without crude oil the world as you know it folds in on itself.
Our planet is filled with mystery and promise. As she sustains us, there is no argument that we should do all we can to maintain her. Yes, we should aim to increase energy efficiency and reduce global demand. Having said that, in our day to day lives crude oil is as ubiquitous as it is pervasive. If it were to disappear overnight, I can guarantee neither you nor mawkish eco-terror would like it.
Words By George-Carter Cunningham
