Dirty oil, the lifeblood of the world economy is the vital ingredient in everything from transport to petro-chemicals to agriculture (fertilizer & chemicals). The handful of massive corporations and producer countries that control the global oil industry are among the richest and most powerful interests on the planet. Since the election of George W. Bush, U.S. oil interests now effectively control the federal government of that country.

Oil corporations along with their corrupt and willing host governments are responsible directly and indirectly for wars, human rights abuses and massive pollution in Russia, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

They have actively sought to sabotage the Kyoto Treaty with much success. Oil feeds 32% of the world's energy "needs" and 30% of consumption is in North America with Western Europe coming in at 17%.

Oil is responsible for the non-biodegradable plastic bags which litter our hedgerows, the noxious fumes in our towns and cities and the dangerous, unhealthy and toxic materials littering our buildings.

$300 billion is spent annually by Governments to subsidise fossil fuel use including oil. Imagine if this was spent on research and development for alternative energy sources. It would take an investment of $660 million to make solar electricity competitive, about half of one per cent of the $89 billion spent by oil companies on exploration and production alone. Each day's sunshine contains more energy than the planet's 5.9 billion inhabitants would consume in 27 years !

Hemp

Attempts to move away from oil and other fossil fuels have often been thwarted by these greedy corporations and morally bankrupt governments. Hemp, a plant which can be grown very cheaply in most climates has 25,000 uses including as a fuel. Up to the 1920s 80% of clothing was made from hemp textiles. Now man made fibres (made from oil) and cotton rule.

In the U.S. in 1937 it was seen as a threat to the oil and cotton industries and under pressure from private interests it was outlawed. Even today, hemp may not be grown in Australia or the U.S. and only in other countries under license.

The party is over

But the oil companies and car manufacturers are now realising that the party is coming to an end. Oil reserves are dwindling.

Witness the recent coup by the Bush administration, desperate to get their hands on the Alaskan nature reserve. The recent upswing in oil prices has also focussed attention more on alternatives. Not to be outdone, some of the oil companies are now investing in solar and hydrogen energy as a way to guarantee their futures.

Hydrogen is coming

As far as transport is concerned, hydrogen energy will be the future. The chemistry of hydrogen energy is relatively simple. A hydrogen fuel cell is like a continually regenerating battery which chemically combines hydrogen and air to produce an electric current which can then be used to power an electric motor. The only waste is pure water.

Today most hydrogen is made using fossil fuels. The key challenge in the future is to use only renewable resources. Germany and Japan are both leading the way in hydrogen research and development.

Iceland has committed itself to making the island nation the world's first hydrogen economy, replacing petroleum in its buses, cars, and fishing boats over the next 30 to 40 years. Hydrogen will be manufactured there using hydro-electric power.

A little help is needed

Worldwide we will see hydrogen fuel cell cars on our roads within 3-4 years. However without mass production, we are unlikely to see these cars available at affordable prices. High demand and low prices will depend on stiff green taxes on petrol and diesel and tax incentives for the purchase of hydrogen vehicles. Irish Governments have so far avoided imposing green fuel taxes by not providing any alternatives. (Irish motorists think they have it tough. In fact petrol and diesel in Ireland are now among the cheapest in the EU).

Our public transport is in a disastrous state. We are building new roads and planning our towns to ensure that good public transport is not viable. We invest minuscule amounts in our rail and bus networks. We expect them to make a profit when we should be realising their benefits and subsidising them like other countries do.

Yes, the new roads mean less congestion in our towns and cities but they will also attract more traffic, faster speeds, higher fuel usage and probably more accidents and fatalities. They also mean the division of farms and communities. Judging by our haphazard Irish planning standards, they will also result in more ugly linear development (on the old roads).

Lets hope that the next Government has a little courage and imagination.
Maybe they could start by following Iceland's example.

Website of the month: www.stopesso.com