Peak Oil and the War on Iraq
December 9, 2005
Despite all the talk in the past weeks by both the Democrats and even some Republicans about pulling our troops out of Iraq, the war is not nearing an end. The reason is simple. Our nation's people, while largely disillusioned by the war and the President's performance in office, have a tremendous appetite for oil and cheap energy. In fact, we demand it from our government. This demand for cheap energy and all of its products is pervasive in our culture. In a relatively short amount of time, what adds up to only a couple of hundred years since the beginning of industrialization, we have become accustomed to energy when and where we want it, at relatively low costs. You might say we have become "addicted" to oil. Most Americans feel entitled to consume as much energy as they want and expect it to be cheap and plentiful. We rely upon oil not only for our cars and heating our homes, but virtually every product that we utilize. Just think about all that plastic that you put in the trash!
The real problem is that fossil fuels are not renewable. Some prominent geologists of both past and present (most notably M. King Hubbert), have predicted that eventually, in the not so distant future, we will extract all of the earths available fossil fuels. The term "peak oil" refers to the instance at which our oil resources reach the highest level of extraction and thereafter begin an inevitable decline. The United States "peaked" in1971 and has since been importing more and more of the black stuff in order to keep up with its citizens insatiable appetite for all things oil. Some geologists believe that we have already hit the "peak" of oil production worldwide, while others predict that is merely years away. At any rate, we will run out of the substance that drives our economy and daily lives.
Our government and our leaders are very aware of this dilemma. The occupation of Iraq, while having been touted as a war against terrorism, non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction, and the American urge and responsibility to spread freedom and democracy, is actually a quest to control the small amounts of oil that do remain deep below the earths surface. This notion has been apparent to many anti-war activists since even before the invasion, however, the full scope of this idea, and the implications of peak oil have not truly come into context, even in most anti-war circles. Large, successful demonstrations have been organized throughout the nation, but have been ignored by the corporate media. Anti-war demonstrators have approached this topic with slogans and demands like “No blood for Oil” and through internet websites that attack the Republican Party, accusing it of being “In Bed” with the oil industry. Connections between these corporations and our leaders are seamless. While there is ample evidence to prove this claim, including closed-door meetings between the Vice President and energy providers prior to the invasion, as well as numerous no-bid government contracts, it is important to realize that the agenda to conquer Iraq’s oil supply goes beyond partisan politics, and instead into the heart of the average American household.
While it is 100% necessary to maintain persistent demonstrations and civil disobedience, these tactics alone will not end this war or future wars bound to arise as oil supplies continue to dwindle. If Americans want to end this illegal occupation and its atrocities (polls show that they overwhelmingly do), then they must be willing to make changes in the way that they consume energy. This is a mounting task, which some believe is a true question of survival for the whole human race, as the oil age has brought with it the destruction of our life giving resources.
There are many direct actions that individuals can take part in on a daily basis, which will reduce the demand for oil, thus making the war increasingly irrelevant, while at the same time preparing our country for the low energy future. The most basic and obvious way to boycott oil is to stop driving cars. In this suburban world, with barely adequate public transportation, this task may seem at odds with the necessities of daily life, however, drastic reductions in the use of automobiles by individuals is entirely possible, and may even feel refreshing once adopted. Americans opposed to the war machine should begin a nationwide boycott of automobiles. They should instead rely upon walking and riding bicycles whenever possible. If cars are necessary, they should be used with discretion and as minimally as possible. If it is necessary to use cars minimally, which will be the case for many, opponents of the war should not purchase any new automobiles and instead should purchase used vehicles. This will send a signal to automakers that their products are out of touch with the needs of consumers. Careful choices should be made when purchasing used cars. The smaller and more fuel efficient the better. Anyone that can afford hybrids, or other lower energy vehicles, should apply the same minimal use tactics to their driving patterns.
Another simple way to reduce the demand for oil is by growing a garden. During WWII citizens began to grow “Victory Gardens” in order to conserve in a time of war. Victory gardens were planted all over the nation in both rural and urban areas. Neighbors grew food on any available soil for their family’s and each other. This distinct gesture of self-reliance by the citizenry was utilized to send more supplies to their fathers, husbands, and sons who were fighting wars on two fronts. Now anti-war activists should be urging their citizens and neighbors to grow gardens in order to oppose the governments’ unjust war. Most Americans now rely vastly on huge chain supermarkets which sell meat and produce, created in monocultures, dowsed in petroleum based fertilizers, processed with petroleum powered machinery, and shipped with diesel powered boats and trucks to tables across the country. By growing food the need for oil is greatly reduced. Citizens may also find it refreshing that they can go to their backyards to get nutritious and tasty foods.
Because the oil age allowed for such unrestricted growth, even since WWII and the time of the victory garden, the United States contains huge swaths of oil sucking suburbs. Areas that were not so long ago farmland are now cement and chain stores. Minimal land exists in these areas for residents opposing the war to grow food. For this reason, concepts such as biointensive gardening and permaculture should be studied. These relatively new methods of food production allow for large yields in small areas without using oil based pesticides and fertilizers. Anyone trained in these methods should teach those who are interested. Neighbors who oppose the war should be creative and find ways to utilize the small amounts of land that they do have, by tearing down fences and redesigning backyards and neighborhoods to maximize food production.
Transportation and agriculture are not the only places where huge amounts of oil are used. Our culture has become disposable. Many products that we buy, even down to water, or a cup of coffee, now contain disposable elements. Products with disposable parts should be avoided. Because corporations are making so many products of a “disposable” nature, many of which are made of plastic, it may be difficult to avoid buying something that is truly needed and yet still contains disposable oil based elements. In these instances, the waste products should be reused or recycled. Small business owners, looking for a competitive edge should find creative ways to reduce waste and recycle common throw away items. This tactic will not only reduce the demand for oil, but also make the American quest to control oil supplies less desirable for corrupt politicians who are imbedded in the oil industry.
As these small, personal, and highly functional steps are taken by ordinary Americans concerned about the current war and our environment, it seems logical that more localized economies will slowly develop. Anyone opposed to a war over oil, following the above steps, will find themselves living closer to home. Proponents of ending the occupation of Iraq should nurture local businesses and encourage and demand "oil reduced" services. As these new systems develop, large corporations tied to the oil industry and the military industrial complex will be subverted. In addition, living an "oil reduced" life will become easier as economies localize.
Anti-war organizations and activists need to make a more direct link between the war on Iraq and the current energy and environmental crisis. Demanding an end to the war, while also demanding large quantities of cheap energy is counterproductive. By reducing Americans demand for oil, we will not only put an end to the illegal war on Iraq, but also transition more smoothly into the inevitable world after oil.