The real problem is the consumption of fossil fuel irrespective of the price or availability.  Clearly and simply, fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse emissions which are already approximately 60% above the levels needed to sustain our planet.  Increasing current consumption levels cannot possibly be the solution in the short or long term.

Compounding the problem is the fact that oil is either close to or past its peak.  That means that oil is guaranteed to become more expensive and dirty as producers extract oil from less efficient sources.  For example, the Tar Sands in Canada has catapulted to number one in known oil reserves.  It is extremely costly and dirty to extract and destroys the environment in a large area.  Greenhouse emissions will skyrocket as people begin to consume more oil from these dirty and inefficient sources.

Confusing our understanding of the problem is the discussion about the price of oil.  Obviously, the oil companies want you to believe that it is related to the supply of oil and hence the solution is to produce more oil.  Surprise! Surprise!  The real problem is neither the supply which has been fairly constant nor the demand which is rising due to the increasing consumption in countries such as India and China but can still be met for a while given current reserves.  The real problem is speculation.  Speculators are not only betting on the price today but the price well into the future.  It is their predatory betting for quick profits that is driving up the price for consumers.

Possibly the problem would be fully addressed if those with ties with the oil companies, including oil company executives, shareholders, lobbyists, and politicians who are in a bed of oil with the oil companies, paid more attention to the fate of their younger relatives than to the ever-increasing profits of oil companies.

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