The rise of the new energy world order

[bemildred]

Oil at US$110 a barrel. Gasoline at $3.35 (or more) per gallon. Diesel fuel at $4 per gallon. Independent truckers forced off the road. Home heating oil rising to unconscionable price levels. Jet fuel so expensive that three low-cost airlines stopped flying in the past few weeks. This is just a taste of the latest energy news, signaling a profound change in how all of us, in this country and around the world, are going to live - trends that, so far as anyone can predict, will only become more pronounced as energy supplies dwindle and the global struggle over their allocation intensifies.

Energy of all sorts was once hugely abundant, making possible the worldwide economic expansion of the past six decades. This expansion benefited the United States above all - along with its "First World" allies in Europe and the Pacific. Recently, however, a select group of former "Third World" countries - China and India in particular - have sought to participate in this energy bonanza by industrializing their economies and selling a wide range of goods to international markets. This, in turn, has led to an unprecedented spurt in global energy consumption - a 47% rise in the past 20 years alone, according to the US Department of Energy (DoE).

An increase of this sort would not be a matter of deep anxiety if the world's primary energy suppliers were capable of producing the needed additional fuels. Instead, we face a frightening reality: a marked slowdown in the expansion of global energy supplies just as demand rises precipitously. These supplies are not exactly disappearing - though that will occur sooner or later - but they are not growing fast enough to satisfy soaring global demand.

The combination of rising demand, the emergence of powerful new energy consumers, and the contraction of the global energy supply is demolishing the energy-abundant world we are familiar with and creating in its place a new world order. Think of it as rising powers/shrinking planet.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JD17Dj04.html

"Road Warrior" coming soon.

[mojavekid]

1. Interesting read. The Asia Times publishes some great articles,

on finance they carry Henry C.K. Liu, and also The Mogombo Guru. Some good energy links here;

http://www.energybulletin.net/

http://www.theoildrum.com/

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/



-mojavekid

[cliss]

2. Yes indeed.

The jungle drums have changed their tune. In just a short period, the dynamics have changed dramatically.
Whether we choose to blame the Government, blame OPEC, or Chavez or anybody, it really doesn't matter right now. Nor does it matter whether we have Peak Oil or not (I believe it's here).

We need to act fast, and assume that high oil prices are here to stay. If they happen to go down (which I don't believe they will) it will be a nice bonus. But - they won't.

1. Cut back on driving. Combine trips, carpool, use public transportation anything to wean ourselves off of the Black Gold.
2. Get rid of the Hummer, and the SUV. Use it for a boat anchor. Sell it quick while you can still get some money for it.
3. Check out the Europeans. They've lived with really high gas prices, for decades. They seem to manage just fine. Look at their tiny little cars, even their delivery trucks are these cute miniature vehicles they are so cute.

Thankx Bemildred.

[bemildred]

3. Yah. It's amazing what you can do on a scooter.

And how much cheaper they are. No kick for your inflated ego though. For that you need a Navigator parked in the garage that you can't afford to drive.

[tom_paine]

4. I volunteer to be the Lord Humongous.

"Just walk away. Just walk away now."