Blog 4 : newspaper article

This article explains to the public of a study done by the German military that leaked onto the internet of what our futures hold for oil and how it will affect the inhabitants of the world. People are having a hard time grasping the fact that we have reached our peak oil and from this point on oil is depleating faster than it is being produced. Evidence of this is all around us, just as anyone who drives a car knows that gas prices are climing at an alarming right. But this isn't the most problematic thing that is going to occur. We can always find different methods of transportation that don't use gasoline and oil, but what about the security of our country, our economy and our government. According to this article, it is estimated that 15 to 30 years after the peak oil (which we are currently in) the impact of security is expected to be felt. Meaning we haven't seen anything yet.

Oil is the foundation of civilization. It is because of oil that the Earth's population has increased at a staggering rate. So, it is common sense that when we take away our foundation, civilization will crumble. This is a scary thought because it is well in our lifetime. This isn't something that is said to happen hundreds of years from now but mearly, decades. Oil determines a nation's power it is what runs our military, our economy and our goverment. The United States of America currently imports approximately 60 % of our oil. Without these imports our country would fall by the side leaving us powerless.

Reflection Questions: What do you think the problems are with importing oils from other countries? Do you think it would benefit the United States to find an alternative fuel source? What do you think will happen if the world continues to consume fuels at the rate it is doing? How do you think life without oil would affect the citizens of the world? Do you think that oil truely determines the power of nations? If we do run out of oil in the estimated time, what types of affects do you think it will have on economy, government, people and relations with other countries?

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html

Schultz, Stefan. "Military Study Warns of a Potentially Drastic Oil Crisis." Energy and Natural Resources 1 Sep. 2010: n. pag. Web. 28 Apr 2011.