Peak Oil For Dummies
The Worlds Master Domino? Are Resource Wars Coming? What are the Experts Saying? Science Can Save Us Right? How Much Is Left?
So where is this oil going to come from? The Middle East is where the prize ultimately lies.
In World War II, the United States consumed about a gallon of fuel per soldier per day. In the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War, about 4 gallons of fuel per soldier was consumed per day. In 2006, the US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan burned about 16 gallons of fuel per soldier on average per day.
We can do a better job in conservation, but we darn sure have to do a better job of finding more supply.
The great nations just aren't throwing enough money at the problem. Instead, they are preparing to fight for the last drops of oil.
Energy consumption is indispensable to our standard of living and a necessity for the Army to carry out its mission. However, current trends are not sustainable. The impact of excessive, unsustainable energy consumption may undermine the very culture and activities it supports.
Oil is unique because it is so strategic in nature. We are not talking about soapflakes or leisurewear...the Gulf War was a reflection of that reality.
I fear we're going to be at war for decades, not years . . .  Ultimately we will win it, but one major component of that war is oil.
The amount of energy is finite, up to now in relation to demand, and competition for access to energy can become the life and death for many societies.
Given the thermodynamic deficiencies of the alternatives to oil, the complexity of a large scale switch to these new sources of energy, and the wrenching economic and social effects of a declining energy supply, you can see why our leaders view force as the only viable way to deal with the coming crisis.