Activism > Environment > Power
Summary. The United States represents 4% of the world’s population, yet consumes 25% of the world’s oil. We’re using 21 million barrels of oil every day. Over 70% of our oil usage is imported. That’s 700 billion dollars a year in dollars leaking out of the United States – a situation that will soon bankrupt us. [Source: PickensPlan.com]
Automobile Dependency. In the United States, 750 people out of 1000 have a car. As a result, our economy is in peril. We are running into trade deficits and are trillions of dollars in debit. Automobile dependency does to a country what it does to an individual. In China, 44 people out of 1000 have a car. China is now a superpower in the world, with 96% of their population relying on bicycles, walking, and public transportation. Yet, we rely on China for most of the products we rely on for daily life. So, it’s clear that a country need not depend heavily on the automobile to be a successful superpower.
Natural Gas as a Bridge Fuel. Oil tycoon and billionaire, T. Boone Pickens explains that natural gas is sufficiently abundant that it should serve as a bridge fuel for about 20 years while we develop an alternate fuel for transportation in the United States. In a video from his private jet he states, “… Natural gas would be the only bridge fuel that we could use for the next 20 years until we get to the next generation of transportation fuel which would probably be the battery or hydrogen or something else. Now that one’s so far out you’ve got to worry with that because I’ll be gone by then, but I’ll be [with you] clear up to the natural gas bridge fuel.”
The Pickens Plan. The T. Boone Pickens Plan addresses this problem with a solution that will help the United States become more self-sufficient and sustainable by using solar, wind, and natural gas. From the Pickens Plan website: “America is in a hole and it’s getting deeper every day. We import 70% of our oil at a cost of $700 billion a year – four times the annual cost of the Iraq war. I’ve been an oil man all my life, but this is one emergency we can’t drill our way out of. But if we create a new renewable energy network, we can break our addiction to foreign oil. On January 20, 2009, a new President gets sworn in. If we’re organized, we can convince Congress to make major changes towards cleaner, cheaper and domestic energy resources. To get this done, I need your help. Check out the plan. If you think it’s worth fighting for, please join our effort.”
Video. Please watch the video below for an introduction into the problem and the solution. It may take a short while to load.
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