Pearls in the Oil Crisis

Oil—is there an infinite supply to fuel our Manifest Destiny or are we nearing the point of exhausting it? Many learned experts say it’s about gone—30 years of known oil reserves—while others, including the Bush administration say, or at least ACT, as if there’s a bottomless well.

Oil interests only win if there is in fact a plentiful supply. And they can explode that victory to massive profits in the scarcity-filled atmosphere that now exists, especially if they know of a bountiful supply that's in the hole.

Combine this fact with a hope that were this crisis real President Bush would surely respect the national interest enough to talk about conservation, accelerated hybrid productions, etc.--and it LOOKS as if there is plenty of oil.

Then comes Matthew R. Simmons, who in Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy convincingly shows that the Saudis are nearing peak production. This would be Armageddon for a nation of people who feel it their birthright to consume with an unquenchable desire.

The great news, really great news, is that the solution depends not on the level of supply. That is absolutely the wrong way of looking at it. In any situation Universal Moral Principles can direct the way forward.

In regard to resource usage those principles dictate: a) a use of humanity’s highest intelligence to get the MOST productivity out of the LEAST expenditure of resources, b) a use of only what is needed—“waste not, want not”, c) a show of the same respect for others’ needs and wants as that which we give to ourselves.

Our national policy then becomes abundantly clear—and a moral imperative: require vehicles getting at least twice, up to 4 times the fuel efficiency as well promote and incentivize conservation by citizens and businesses.

The energy crisis is actually a major opportunity. We will encourage students to apply their gaming skills to devise new ways of conservation. Whole industries will evolve devoted to efficiency, while those with desire and aptitude will work on new ways of energy creation and delivery. Already bio-fuels and other non-oil sources are showing real promise.

It IS doable, but only with a focus on what best benefits the Greater Public Interest instead of what maximizes the profits of the oil or automotive industries or that of any entrenched special interests. This renewed focus on the greater common good is yet another benefit of the energy crisis.

We might still be able to have our cars and drive them too. But our destination must be clear, just and worthy.

Richard F. Dawahare 6.28.05