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"Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Theodore Roosevelt, 1901
The world is fighting over oil like a group of third graders fighting on the playground with America starring as the international bully. It reminds me of President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous line from a speech in 1901 addressing American’s foreign policy strategy: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” This policy appears to still be an integral part of America’s policy – the only difference is we’re now screaming loudly.
"Blood and Oil" is a very informative book detailing the worldwide struggle for control over oil. Written by Michael T. Klare in 2004 with an updated afterword, he sets the stage for the reality of the enormous competition and fight over oil. I personally had no idea the extent of the worldwide fighting relating directly or indirectly to oil. I conjecture that most people are as naïve as to this situation as I was.
Klare begins by laying out America’s dependency dilemma focusing on the imported oil and national security issues. He then lays out four key trends that will dominate the future of American energy behavior and proceeds to discuss them in detail.
- An increasing need for imported oil
- A pronounced shift toward unstable and unfriendly suppliers in dangerous parts of the world
- A greater risk of anti-American or civil violence
- Rising competition for what till like prove a diminishing supply pool
America has been relying on foreign oil since the 1940s to fulfill its growing needs. "The United States - with something less than 5 percent of the world's total population—consumes about 25 percent of the worlds total supply of oil." And as we resist conservation strategies, this continues to grow. But how are we currently (and will continue to keep the oil flowing)? War. Klare writes, "…we will continue to have to fight—literally—to ensure our access to oil…and unlike other wars…these encounters will require the permanent presence of American soldiers—for as long, that is, as we remain dependent on these sources for a significant share of our energy."
He then cautions us that we need to consider the "real cost of oil" which must include the price we pay as a country for the military presence in foreign countries needed to ensure the safe passageway of oil to the west. A recent report states that our yearly bill for defending Persian Gulf Oil adds more than $1.00 per gallon of gas. And many of us are nearing or have topped the $4.00 per gallon mark with no relief in sight.
One of the best aspects of this book is the fact that Klare lays out the problem and then presents "A strategy for Energy Autonomy and Integrity". The strategy includes a well-balanced energy policy that includes wind, solar, hydrogen, biofuels and more. Although he doesn’t purport to know to all the perfect set of solutions, he keeps reminding the reader that no action will lead to catastrophe. Want to try your hand at creating an alternative energy strategy for America? Check out Chevron's website www.willyoujoinus.com where you are given energy scenarios, create a revised energy strategy and are then critiqued on your solution.
I don't have time to tell you all the things I want you to learn from this book - everyone needs to educate him or herself about this issue. And maybe more importantly, people need to re-evaluate their personal beliefs as to what our country’s energy policy needs to look like. I surmise that more people will rethink the benefits of some of our current alternative energy solutions including ethanol, biodiesel, wind, and solar. This book is a must read.
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