Oil Dependency

Oil Dependency

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Axia College of University of Phoenix

Modern human lifestyle especially when it pertains to the American lifestyle is heavily dependent on oil. America imports most of its oil from foreign countries. This puts America in a situation where it is dependent on unstable trade partners for an important resource. This resource provides the gas needed to power cars, trucks, and other vehicles. It also used in machines that prepare our food. This constant and growing consumption of oil and depleting reserves of oil is a real issue, not only financially but most importantly socially. America is consuming 25% of the world's reserves of oil, so the long term view of America's lifestyle can be a dangerous unless changes are made so Americans can be less dependent on oil. As the developing countries such as China and India become more westernized, it is only a matter of time when they too will be consuming just as much oil. This will obviously create a future problem of oil shocks due to shortages. Examining where oil and other fossil fuel comes from, what is it used for, how much is left and consumed, environmental effects, possible alternative resources, and the proposed social effects as the world reserves are depleted are very important to understand the issues that revolve around oil dependency.

There are actually three forms of fossil fuels which are coal, natural gas, and oil. All three were formed hundreds of millions years ago before dinosaurs. Dead plants and animals along with peat and rocks formed what is known today as oil, natural gas, and coal. Most of the fossil fuel consumption especially oil comes from the United States. Unfortunately, the U.S. gets its oil mainly from the Middle Eastern nations. These include countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Iran. Even though we have some reserves in Alaska, California, and Texas, it is not enough to make up the difference needed to meet the demand of Americans. It is...