To What Extent Are the Environmental Impacts of the Global Increase in Demand for Oil Acceptable?

In terms of oil dependence, most of the general public believes that the world has enough oil to support us for the next hundred years; in truth we are rapidly depleting our petroleum sources due to the increasing population and demand. In fact, as was initially theorized by the Hubbert Peak Theory in 1950, Earth peaked in oil supplies in 1973 and the largest oil resources that have been discovered since then have been in Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. Here it must be

It is estimated that 1.3 trillion barrels of oil reserve is left in the world’s major fields (Institution of Mechanical Engineers 2015). At present rates of consumption this will be enough oil to last approximately 40 years. By 2040, it is intended for production levels may be down to 15 million barrels per day which is approximately 20% of the amount of oil which is currently being consumed (Institution of Mechanical Engineers 2015). It is likely by the year 2040 that the world’s population will be twice as large (United States Census Bureau 2015). Additionally, it is likely that more of the world will be industrialized and therefore more dependent upon oil.

Repercussions of burning oil have arisen more progressively. The debatable topic of global warming holds burning fossil fuels responsible for higher temperatures in colder climates. An article by World Book explains why oil is so harmful towards the environment. As more cars are produced more pollutants are released into the atmosphere, those pollutants cause smog in larger manufacturing oriented cities as well as, acid rain. Factories, burning oil, dispose of the remaining chemicals into bodies of water rendering them unsafe to drink for both humans and animals alike (Hunt par. 1). Another article produced through World Book describes the

The excessive use of oil in the United States has been a very controversial debate with American experts and scientists. In his article “How America Can Free Itself of Oil-Profitability,” Amory Lovins addresses the many different issues associated with excessive oil consumption and the risks versus the benefits. Amory Lovins is a physicist, environmental scientist, writer, and Chairman/Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute. He has written numerous research articles arguing for the use of renewable energy and alternatives for oil. Lovins also regularly gives presentations to other environmentalists discussing the pros and cons of oil consumption. It is clear that his target audience is the demographic of academics, scientists,

The excessive use of oil in the United States has been a very controversial debate with American experts and scientists. In his article “How America Can Free Itself of Oil-Profitability,” Amory Lovins addresses the many different issues associated with excessive oil consumption and the risks versus the benefits. Amory Lovins is a physicist, environmental scientist, writer, and Chairman/Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute. He has written numerous research articles arguing for the use of renewable energy and alternatives for oil. Lovins also regularly gives presentations to other environmentalists discussing the pros and cons of oil consumption. It is clear that his target audience is the demographic of academics, scientists, and well-informed policy makers. In this article, Lovins is not arguing against the consumption of oil but is rather presenting a solution to the issue. This style of writing will attract academics, environmentalists, and even big corporations in the oil industry. It presents useful information that these people can use to their advantage.

Another effect from the BP oil spill it’s jeopardizing the Gulf’s billion-dollar fishing and shrimping industry. With the Gulf accounting for 40-percent of North Americans seafood, it is the second largest seafood producing area after Alaska, and it’s effecting incomes for thousands. The high loss of seafood is going to change the way many people eat and increase prices because of the shortages. Also, many small fishers have filed for bankruptcy causing high stress. Captain William Allen-Kruse was so depressed with the loss of business he shot and killed himself after

Needless to say, that the exploitation of oil and gas created polarizing relationships between the economy and the environment at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. The phenomenon of the oil and gas production in Canada plays into environmental concerns of Climate Change in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, violations of First Nations land rights, vulnerability on an international market, and long-term ecological consequences, such as air and water pollution, oil spills and leaks, and etc., over “economic” benefits.

For the past several decades we have been relying on oil as our major source of energy. It is oil that driven the industrial revolution and turn the global economy into what it is right now. However, the increasing rate of our reliance and hunger for oil has been causing us devastating problems so awful that we can’t afford to ignore it anymore. It is a fact that the global oil reserve won’t run dry in either today or tomorrow but we are running out of supply. I believe that oil should not be the only major source of energy because of the following reasons, first, the

For example, crude oil tankers accident can release lots of oils which will be detrimental to the aquatic lives, agricultural land and environments as a whole and will cost lots of money in clean-up. According to the National Strategy for the Marine Transportation System (2008) “approximately 100,000 tons of oil from sources other than natural seeps is released annually into North America’s waterways and sea lane. Petroleum products spilled into waterways can have both short- and long-term effects on water quality and living resources”. There are lots of environmental impacts such as water pollution and contamination that can result in hazardous waste being discharged in the maritime ports which increases risk of illness, such as respiratory disease or cancer, causes significant damage water quality, and consequently affects marine life and ecosystems and human

The oil affected multiple industries that are prevalent in the Gulf that are still recovering or still facing the problem the spill caused. In 2012 it was calculated that the economy was doing great because of the influx of people to help with the cleanup effort and the 6 billion BP gave for the spill was more than the 700 million revenue lost from the fishing and tourism for that year but those costs do not take in count the long-term problems the spill has had on the economy of the Gulf (Amadeo). The economy is slowly recovering since the spill but in certain industries it is still struggling to regain its formal glory. The only solution to improve the economy is to advance cleanup efforts help get rid of the remaining effects of leftover oil and give more money to research that studies the effect of the oil spill on the ecosystem, so we can know the full extent of the

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an estimated 1.3 million gallons (4.9 million liters) of petroleum are spilled into the U.S. waters from vessels and pipelines every year. A major oil spill could easily double that amount. The recent BP oil spill is estimated to take 25 years to clean up (2035). Oil spills usually happen when people make mistakes, equipment breaking down, or natural disasters such as hurricanes. Oil floats on saltwater (the ocean) and usually floats on freshwater (rivers and lakes). Very heavy oil can sometimes sink in freshwater, but this happens very rarely. Oil spills take a long time to recover because of the damage it causes and the only available resources we have. One way that most oil spills are cleaned

Peak oil is described as the point in time when the maximum rate of petroleum extraction is reached, and at this point we assist to a diminution of the resource. Oil is one of the world 's most vital resource, we use it in every aspect of our daily lives, we use it for electricity, gasoline and even drugs. The disappearance of this resource can lead to a major global disaster. In an attempt to identify the potential impact of such a disaster and find alternatives energetic resources, a cloud of researchers started to focus their research around this topic. While the first researches made on peak oil where mostly focused on its plausibility, nowadays researches concentrate on determining the exact period of occurrence, as well as the economic and political impact of this event.

World oil demand is increasing as emerging economies need more energy to increase their living standards. Estimates, shown below, are that by 2030, China and India as emerging markets will import over 70% to 90% of their fossil fuel needs (1) . Coupled to a continued high and growing demand for oil, makes this a robust market for the next 30 years.

In the recent years, overall demand growth for oil is strong in Asia pacific region and North America. The consumption of energy resources in major developing and industrial countries, namely, China, India and Brazil is expanding rapidly, but on the other hand, G7 countries where most of the demand of oil are consumed, demand for oil has been static and seems to be reduced from last few years. In 1990s, U.S and G7 countries were top consumers of oil, at present BRICs countries and China, are becoming greatest consumers of oil, although G7 countries and U.S are reducing their demand as compared to past two decades but still their demand is higher even from BRICs and China.

In everyday life, humans consume different types of energy rapidly and all people have to do is look outside their window. Once its discovery happens, its consumption is exponential where people use non-renewable resources for energy as if it is for their own survival. There are no concerns due to the fact these resources such as energy, creates several benefits to everyone. These non-renewable resources came to existence four billion years ago and it proves that it has been a useful tool for the lives of society. However, the key word is “non-renewable” in the statement. Once its usage is gone, it remains gone forever, which influences the system in how the world is progressing. No one realizes the scenario without oil, but since that day is inevitable, people are going to need new methods in creating an alternative for oil while considering the expansion of human population. Oil, a necessity of life and growth, is a non-renewable substance and without it, society would have not progressed this far in this age. Once the day comes, the impact on the planet will be severe, where people are going to adapt in using less useful materials for their daily lives. In addition, this leads to several other negative effects, which includes poverty, unemployment, and the efficiency of materials, will get worse over time. Without recognizing the impact of their actions, this process will continue to progress forward into the future and possibly eliminate one of the greatest resources