Energy Oil and War

This past week end I had the pleasure of visiting with an old friend I have not seen in years. The conversation eventually turned to his area of expertise -energy. Specifically the law and energy. Some 25+ years as an energy attorney.

As such he has extensive experience in the where oil is and how it is processed and transported. Most interesting.

He noted the cost of finding new oil keeps rising and the finds are smaller. Saudi oil is running out. Iraqi oil is critical to the US and western developed counties. Therefore the reason for the war in Iraq. To protect the oil supply in the short term. So far so good; but, the real problem is yet to come. There is very little effort being expended in developing alternative energy sources; at least not enough to make a significant difference. In short we are rushing head long into an energy crisis with huge consequences for the developed and developing world. Actually the developing world is the immediate cause of the crisis and not the cure the presnet administration heralds.

The idea that improving economies will spur growth in developed economies and thus save us all is suspect to say the least. More likely will incite wars and more violence. Why? Because the fossil based energy sources are already in short supply and will only be exacerbated by consumers in China and India to name only two huge markets demanding cars and other consumer items.

Result: Shortages, wars, violence on scale never seen before.

Shame because Bush is supposedly and Oil Guy who understands energy. He could have been the energy president; the one who had the vision to make us energy independant and the dominat player and supplier of energy in the future. However aswe know he opted for the short term "fix" rather than a cure.

Will affect mainly thoses generations beyond mine. HIs predictions are very gloomy.