"Today we are so dependent on oil, and oil is so embedded in our daily doings, that we hardly stop to comprehend its pervasive significance. It is oil that makes possible where we live, how we live, how we commute to work, how we travel....Oil (and natural gas) are the essential components in the fertilizer on which world agriculture depends; oil makes it possible to transport food to the totally non-self-sufficient mega-cities of the world. Oil also provides the plastics and chemicals that are the bricks and mortar of contemporary civilization, a civilization that would collapse if the world's oil wells suddenly went dry." Daniel Yergin, The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money & Power
Ever since he arrived in office, and especially after the tragic events of 9/11, Bush has made it his mission to spread 'decent' and 'reasonable' values across the world. This mission has been cast in various forms; sometimes he wants to teach us about democracy; sometimes about freedom; and sometimes, his own record notwithstanding, about honest and responsible government.
Now it seems that Bush the autodidact has a new lesson to impart: he wants to teach India and China, to help them become 'more energy efficient', and to reduce their dependence on foreign oil sources.
Laudable hopes indeed. But what about Kyoto? Remember Kyoto? This is what the White House press secretary said when he was asked during the first Bush Administration about the pact, which was meant to ensure energy efficiency: "The President has been unequivocal. He does not support the treaty."
The Kyoto Protocol commits 38 industrialized nations to cut their emissions of the main gases produced by human activities, which are blamed for climate change. By 2012, they would have to cut emissions by an average of 5.2% on their 1990 level, and the US by 7%. The US is responsible for about 25% of global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main pollutant covered by Kyoto.
By the 1950s the U.S. was importing 10 percent of its oil; by the 1960s 18 percent; by the 1970s 45 percent (in 1972 U.S. domestic production entered an irreversible decline); by 1998 over 50 percent; and today just over 56 percent. The portion of imported oil marches ever higher as the U.S.'s own crude oil production drops. Most of our productive fields have already been exploited. Meanwhile, Americans continue to use more and more oil. The 13.5 million barrels per day of oil we used for transportation in 2001 is expected to rise to 20.7 million in 2025. (All statistics are from the U.S. Department of Energy.)
{{/usCountry}}By the 1950s the U.S. was importing 10 percent of its oil; by the 1960s 18 percent; by the 1970s 45 percent (in 1972 U.S. domestic production entered an irreversible decline); by 1998 over 50 percent; and today just over 56 percent. The portion of imported oil marches ever higher as the U.S.'s own crude oil production drops. Most of our productive fields have already been exploited. Meanwhile, Americans continue to use more and more oil. The 13.5 million barrels per day of oil we used for transportation in 2001 is expected to rise to 20.7 million in 2025. (All statistics are from the U.S. Department of Energy.)
{{/usCountry}}In 2001, just weeks after being sworn in, President Bush had appointed Vice President Dick Cheney to lead a major review of U.S. energy policy. On May 17, 2001, the Cheney team issued the National Energy Policy, a detailed roadmap of America's strategy to deal with growing demands for energy and the dwindling supplies. Interestingly, the plan does not call for any reduction in use of oil by the Americans. Instead it proposes to increase consumption by expanding America's oil production, for example, by drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.