Is Oil Evil?

 

  

 

 

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    1. 1. Is your personal consumption of oil part of the problem?
    2. 2. What impact does oil have on our environment?
    3. 3. Are there any viable energy alternatives?
    4. 4. Is there a connection between oil and violence in the Middle East?
    5. Works Cited:
    6. Contributors:

 

 

1. Is your personal consumption of oil part of the problem?

 

 

Individual consumption of oil is not the problem; it is the collective consumption that is "killing us."  For example, if you drive a hybrid car that doesn't use a lot of gasoline and has a high miles-per-gallon rate, you wouldn't have a lot of spending on oil and you wouldn't consume a lot. But, if you take people who drive the exact same car, but like to travel, it increases the consumption rate collectively.  When you add up all of the figures of all of the people that use that car, it will be a big number, even though you don't use that much oil.  Also, the type of car does a number on the consumption too.  If you and another person drive the same number of miles each day, but you drive a hybrid and the other person drives a suv, you will have fewer trips to the gas station.  Again, even though you are doing good on the trips to the "filler," the overall consumption is still hurting us as a nation.

 

 

                    -Jarryd E.

 

   

 

Oil Addictions can be stopped by using several different techniques...     

 

 

This political cartoon explains how demand and supply kick in to oil prices and addiction...

 

2. What impact does oil have on our environment?

 

    Oil can cause many disasters towards our environments. Just from extracting oil from the ground, there is agitation towards the sensitive environements, such as the tundra, rainforest, and ocean habitat. The spills from transporting the oil are devasting towards the surrounding environment, and the animals that live there. Some say that recent usage of oil has nothing to do with global warming, while a majority say that the pollution from vehicles is breaking down the ozone layer. I believe that carbon dioxide emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels is greatly contributing to the current situation of global warming. The carbon dioxide emissions cause holes in the ozone, which in turn, cause more direct UV rays from the sun, which then, causes the numerous results from global warming.

 

                    -Paige W.

 

 

 

The 58,000-pound oil spill shut down over a dozen beaches and killed at least 60 birds. Ecologists warn that it could take months to clean up and that it threatens the Bay's diverse ecosystem, including several endangered species. Costguard officials said they waited over 4 hour before notifying of the spill.

 

 

3. Are there any viable energy alternatives?

 

 

Different types of energy can be substituted for oil...

 

Page on "Oil Depletion"   - for this one, click on the text that says, "Replacements as a possible solution."

 

    Oil in the United States is becoming too big of a problem because it is being used every day.  Because we are so addicted to it, we are helping deplete the world wide supply of oil, so we need to find alternates fast.  So, I think that wind energy (the giant wind mills with terbines in them to create power, hydro-powered energy (energy that is created from running water which turns a turbine and creates energy), and solar energy (energy that is taken in by the sun by solar panels to create power) could be good replacements.  Wind energy and hydro-powered energy can help with running cities.  For example, the Hover Dam outputs a lot of energy.  and also, solar-powered cars could help impact the gasoline industry also.  For more information on energy alternatives, go to the link above.

 

 

                    -Jarryd E.

 

 

Because of oils prices, we need to start looking for alternatives and conserving energy...

 

 

 

4. Is there a connection between oil and violence in the Middle East?

 

    There is an absolute connection between oil and violence in the Middle East. The violence in the Middle East is both a result from the oil, and the sudden jumps in prices in oil. The timing of the bombings in the Middle East correlate directly with a spike in gas prices. The higher the amount of bombings, the higher the oil prices have surged. As a commentor on Droke's page asked rhetorically, "Would the U.S. be in the Middle East if there wasn't oil there?" (par. 6) The only reason for occupation in the Middle East, specifically Iraq, by the military forces is for the economic benefit towards the U.S. only. Also, in the Middle East, there are few oil-rich tycoon "royalty", with the rest of the population being poor. This drastic difference in wealth causes hatred and hostility towards the "Haves" of the country.

 

                    -Paige W.

 

This picture shows the relationship between gas, and war. Where the word "Empty" would be to signify having an empty tank, is where now "War" has replaced it. Since the needle is pointing towards War, and also Empy gas, shows that when gas prices are high, and your tank is empty, there is violence caused.

 

 

Works Cited:

 

 

 

(Jarryd E.)

Fisker, Jacob Lund. "Oil depletion: One of the most important problems of the world." Oil depletion: One of the most important           

    problems of the world. 20 MAR 2006. quasar.unibas.ch. 10 Dec 2007 <http://quasar.unibas.ch/~fisker/401/oil/oil.html>.

 

 

 

“Promising New Developments in Alternative Energy.”  Energy Independence for North America: An Alternative Future, Symposium.    

 

    Prod. Praxis Strategy Group. Cinevision Productions. Bishop's Lodge, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 03 July 2007.

 

 

 

Tamminen, Terry.  "Overcoming America's "Oil Addiction"."  Lives Per Gallon: The True Cost of Our Oil

    Addiction.  Prod. Fora TV.  Idea Immersion.  California.  13 Nov 2006.

 

 

 

(Paige W.)

Droke, Clif. "Oil, Death and the Dollar." Gold Digest. 29 04 2006. 11 Dec 2007

 

    <http://www.gold-eagle.com/gold_digest_05/droke042906.html>.

 

 

"Environmental Impacts of Oil Exloitation." The Coming Global Oil Crisis. 21 July 2001. 11 Dec 2007

 

    <http://www.oilcrisis.com/environment/>.

 

  

 

Contributors:

Paige W.

Jarryd E.

 

 

 

 

 


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  • Recent comments:
    Cristina:Hey Guys! Great job on your blog! It was very interesting. Overall I agree with most of what you said. However in question number one you said that our own consumption wasn't part of the problem and that collectively it was the problem. But if collectively we are the problem then individually we are part of the problem. Essentially you are saying the same thing. You say that all together we are the problem but even if one person stops it can make a difference, and if all of us stop using oil individually then there is no problem. So individually we are part of the problem. I really liked your answer to question number 2. Most people tend to forget that although global warming is heating our planet it is also destroying our ozone layer. So thanks for adding that. Your videos were also very interesting and helped convey your message. All in all great job!!
    Megan Sah:In response to #2, global warming isn't just the breaking down of the ozone layer. In fact, it's more of the building up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, which is trapping heat in our environment, making it hotter. Also, for #1, yes, your personal consumption may not be a huge problem, but it still does add to the problem.
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