Oil: The Cost in Human Lives

How many human lives is it worth to secure future access to world oil supplies? Take a minute right now and answer this question for yourself honestly. Then continue reading.

People are dying because of a war being fought over future access to oil in Iraq. The US government under the Bush Administration views the nation of Iraq, and not insignificantly the oil which resides there, as a matter of major strategic importance. Iraq is also of strategic importance due to its geographic location, but oil is the ranking concern currently.

People are dying because the Bush Administration thinks it is necessary to secure the oil rich nation of Iraq under a "friendly" government. Friendly to the Bush Administration means willing to offer the resources of the nation up for exploitation and use by Western Corporations and Governments (mainly the USA.) The Bush Administration wants control over who benefits from the oil of Iraq.

People are dying, and it's about oil. How does it feel? How can we allow it to continue? Can we? Can you sit idly by in your comfortable American Lifestyle and behave like a normal happy consumer knowing all the while that this economy is underwritten by petroleum? The economy of the USA is dependent on easy and reliable access to petroleum.

There is a war being fought over it and people are dying.

Instead of putting energy into increasing efficiency and conserving what energy we do have, policy makers have decided to tread the road of destruction. Yes, the US is on the road of destruction. People are dying. Families are being ripped apart. All so that the USA can ensure the futures of oil.

But there are alternatives. We don't truly need oil. It's time to start moving in different directions. Let's think creatively and explore some of the alternatives - in earnest. After all, people are dying!

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Aldo Leopold: "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."

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