Energy Crisis

Our world is currently in the midst of an energy crisis. We have been relying on oil as our primary source of energy since the late 1800’s and we are about to hit the limit. Before we started consuming oil, the world had a reserve of around 2 trillion barrels of recoverable oil. Currently we are consuming over 32 billion barrels of oil per year and that number continues to rise. At this rate, if oil production remains consistent, we will run out of oil in about forty years. There have been efforts to find new sources of crude oil, but very little headway has been made in the past thirty years. Right now a majority of the oil producers have reached their peak in oil production and it is only a matter of time before we find ourselves with no more available oil.

Researchers have been informing world leaders for years that we need to start relying on different energy sources because of our depleting oil reserves. Government officials have been provided with data predicting the depletion of oil for some time now, but strong action has not yet been taken. There are now more talks of alternative energy sources, but not many countries have taken a strong stance in reducing their dependency on oil. With estimates saying that we have only forty years of oil left, more countries need to follow Sweden’s example. They have been working since 2005 on becoming the first country to phase out oil consumption and start investing in renewable energy. Currently almost 40% of Sweden’s energy comes from multiple renewable sources (Kangasmäki).

The reason that other countries are avoiding alternative options to oil is that they see switching over as being too expensive. Overhauling our energy needs will have a large start up cost, but that is to be expected with a change of this magnitude. By reducing our dependency on oil we would be saving the environment and slowing down the effect of global warming, which was in part caused by our oil usage. There are multiple alternatives that we can pursue in working to lessen our need for oil. For example, solar energy would provide us with clean energy that we do not need to fear depleting.

Action needs to be taken in investing in alternative energy sources or our situation will continue to worsen. We would be better served by using oil only as a manufacturing material. The leaders of the world need to take firm action in ensuring that we will have the energy we need in the years to come. It is up to them to start moving forward to reduce our reliance on oil.



Works Cited
Kohl, Keith. "World Energy Crisis." Energy and Capital. 19 Feb 2008. 30 Jul 2009 .

"The Implications of Peak Oil." Planet For Life. Aug 2008. 30 Jul 2009 .

Howden, Daniel. "World oil supplies are set to run out faster than expected, warn scientists." The Independent. 14 June 2007. 30 Jul 2009 .

Kangasmäki, Päivi. "Finnish And Swedish Strongholds In Renewable Energy." Arctic Startup. 24 June 2009. 30 Jul 2009