Globalization
of Media MCM404
VU
Lesson
36
"OIL
AND BEYOND"
Note:
In
lecture # 36 we have examined the
excessive and unhealthy dependence of
contemporary
civilization
on the consumption of fossil fuels,
specially oil and the
limited prospects for
continued availability
of
oil after 2040. In fact, the
production of oil is estimated to
reach a peak in about
2008-2010 after which
there
is little likelihood of finding the
size of oil deposits which
were discovered in the 20th century. A new
urgency
will have to be placed on the development
of alternative fuel sources, the investment
for which is not
at
all adequate at
present.
While
the ostensible concerns that
shape the debate and
discussion on oil resources
appears to be, and to
some
extent, actually is part of the vital
subject of the future of the
energy sector in humanity's own
future,
this
subject is part of a larger
question. This question concerns the
conflict between or the co-existence
of
major
nation-states such as the U.S.A. and
China, and groups of
nation-states such as the European
Union.
The
text of this handout comprises the
chapter titled: "Battle of the
Titans" from the book: "The
Final
Energy
Crisis" edited by Andrew McKillop with
Sheila Newman, published by Pluto Press,
U.K., 2005.
This
material is relevant for students to
study both lecture #36 as
background and geo-politically
important
material
as well as for lecture #38
concerning: "Emerging trends in
international affairs".
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