Energy Crisis? Will This Lead to the New Zeitgeist?

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An Energy Crisis? Are we Heading for Another Energy Crisis? by Sandra Glotzbach

In 1973 the US experienced an energy crisis. People around the country began conserving energy for fear we might run out. In 1979 we experienced another. That one didn't leave the effect on me that the 1973 one did. I wonder if people didn't take it as serious. The warning signs that were in place back then, appear to be affecting not only the US but the entire world now in 2009.

The economic security of a nation becomes threatened when it is facing an energy crisis. The global recession is all over the news. Our energy consumption is increasing faster than production. Our natural resources are already nearly half used up. We should be concerned and become proactive about our energy usage.

How is an energy crisis determined?

An energy crisis occurs when a nation experiences a disruption in its energy supplies and rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. Economic security is threatened when the country sees a decline in economic growth, inflation rises, unemployment becomes greater and billions of dollars are lost in investments. We saw this happen in 2008 with the record high fuel prices and the onset of the global recession.

What are the warning signs?

There are many similarities between the 1973, 1979 oil crisis and now. Some major similarities are:
• Political unrest in oil producing countries that could decrease or stop oil production
• Value of oil stocks dropping
• Crude oil being imported from a limited number of suppliers
• US oil production decreased
• Increasing dependence on imported oil
• Decreased spending on the part of the oil industry
• Oil price speculation rising
• A slow down in the economy

Are we experiencing an energy crisis?

Officials were saying the potential for an energy crisis was never greater, back in 2003 when crude oil was at $30 a barrel. In July 2008 we saw oil prices top out at $147.30 per barrel, reaching a record high. Authorities report that another energy crisis could be the worst yet, if we don't take precautions now. Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources claim that the 2008 price explosion was due to declining oil reserves, worries over "peak oil", oil price speculation and tensions in the Middle East.

Some of the stronger factors for rising oil prices in 2006 were due to great natural disasters and other worldwide political unrest. However, those were temporary, not having such a significant influence on oil prices now as the global recession seems to take center stage.

Oil has dropped recently to below $40 per barrel. Some reports suggest this is just a temporary breathing point. We can only hope fuel prices will remain low until the economy returns to a better state. The fact still remains that our reserves are getting lower but our energy demands are not. The worlds natural resources are something we can not make more of.

Is our energy consumption demand out of control?

Our demand is growing faster than the supply. We have already used nearly 50% of the natural resources available. And our use of energy resources has really only accelerated since the beginning of the 20th Century. By the year 2030 it is estimated that U.S. energy demand will increase by 90% of our current usage.

It is inevitable that our oil supplies will be deleted soon. The impending energy crisis could be severe if we don't take action. If you are ready to take action and learn ways to cut back on your usage send a blank email to my autoresponder at: sandrastips@gmail.com and I'll share simple things you can do.

An energy crisis occurs when a nation experiences a disruption in its energy supplies and rapidly increasing energy prices that threaten economic and national security. We are now in a recession. The warning signs are there. Our energy consumption is getting out of control in comparison to the resources available.

If we wait on someone else to make the changes necessary to prevent an energy crisis, we will end up in a severe energy crisis. It is time to start cutting back and making changes. We must change the world...one household at a time.

Sandra Glotzbach is an environmental and money saving enthusiast. Reducing and eliminating monthly bills that also help the environment is on the top of the list. Visit AlternateEnergyToday and sign up to receive great money saving tips and some other really great free gifts for financial gain.