Our lives are not unmanageable, though, and our “addiction” to oil is not causing crisis.

Global warming, while a terrible thing, is not unnatural. An increase in temperature in the Earth has happened before, and not that long ago, either. Really look at the research: there is not one shred of solid evidence proving that we are the cause of global warming. There is proof that the earth has gone through cooling and warming cycles before.

Also, nobody is excited to go buy oil. It is not the direct cause of a “hit” in normal circumstance. Most, in fact, moan about the fact they have to stop to get it, and are happy to be on their way. Their happiness comes from where they are actually going: the bar, visiting family, restaurant, baseball game, whatever may be happy. The endorphins and dopamine come from things that would be there with or without oil.

What would still be there, is the way our society is now, and the fallout would not be good. People would loose their jobs, because they can no longer go all the way from Wappingers Falls, NY to New York City, NY on time. This is something our economy cannot afford. Divorced parents who live a distance from their kids would see them much less often, if at all, because they live so far away. They could move and buy a new home; but realistically, most can not, so the kids would miss out. It would be harder take a lot longer to transport severely ill people to medical care, something that would cost many lives. We would possibly revert back to horse and carriage which, while more environmentally healthy, is also a lot more dangerous. Among so many others.

Could we live without oil? Obviously, yes, as people have done so before. But society would be forced to go through an extremely painful, rocky, destructive time as people learn how to live without oil. For many years possibly, this country would be in a terrible state. If it is worth it or not is for you to decide. Personally, I am mixed.

The real problem lies in the fact that it is dangerous if it comes in contact with the wrong situations (such as the oil spill, something I am passionate about) and the fact we are running out. America forces ships carrying oil to have two walls of sorts, so if one breaks there is another barrier before it spills into the ocean. When this happens, I believe ships should find the nearest port and undergo repairs. More countries need to implement this. There should also be teams set up in every coastal area ready to rush in if there is a spill, both able to assist in getting the water out, and aiding animals. Government and private funding should sponsor these.

We also, most importantly, need to find a safer, less toxic, renewable replacement. Many ideas are being worked in. We need to put in a lot of funding and donations into perfecting these, comparing them, test each of them, and then put them on the market. If possible, there should be more than one option, so the competition can force a better product and lower prices. In addition to letting us choose, in the end, what we feel works best. Once we have these alternatives out, hopefully, oil will slowly fade into the background as people choose safer, more efficient options. It will take a lot of work, effort, and money; but it is possible.

We are not “addicted” to oil, we are a society that remembers nothing else. There are no cravings, or pleasure taken from it. As consumers, we buy it for many reasons: distance, time, comfort, convenience, and never knowing anything else. While I agree we should carpool, walk and ride our bikes – for health, environmental, and finical reasons – as much as possible, it is not the solution. Not at all.

As far as I am concerned, we have two options: revert back to a time before oil, or move forward to find a better alternative. Both are possible; but, in my opinion, finding an alternative is the best option. That way, we can keep moving forward, save money (in the long run), keep the environment safe, not a cause a huge, negative disruption in our way of life, and create a source that will last us for the long term.

What you decide is up to you.

Perhaps the problem is that both individually and collectively “we” can’t even begin to imagine a society without oil.

We can never revert back to living like we did in a time “before” oil. It’s just not going to happen. As much as I’d like to see or experience the past, we just can’t. So it’s about moving forward with new options…. environmentalists have been warning that there could be a huge oil spill, and now we have it. I am sure millions of people’s attitudes toward oil will now be changed.

I myself am not as “addicted” to oil as others. We New Yorkers who do not own cars are much greener than the rest of the country. Because of the distances in this country, and people’s expectations of comfort and privacy when travelling, we are still going to be very dependant on our cars, and other personal vehicles.