Time to Stop Worrying about Global Warming

The good news is we can finally stop worrying about global warming. And, you might be tempted to ask, why would that be? Well, because we humans are on a gigundus and enormously efficient global killing spree that is removing species from the Earth 1,000 times faster than historical rates of loss. It’s only the fastest rate of extinction since dinosaurs disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous Period about 65 million years ago. As an aside, Creationists would have us believe they were wiped out around 6,000 years before Christ. Oh my, I desperately needed that laugh.

The sobering thought is the bad news: by the time global warming cranks up to levels even the brain dead, characterized by poster child Jim Inhofe, will be unable to deny, most people will be on the road to starving to death because all the bees, birds, and insects that pollinate plants and make much of agriculture possible will have disappeared under the juggernaut of human progress. Yeah, let’s build more sprawling subdivisions, assemble and drive more SUVs, bulldoze more worthless tropical forests and wetlands, apply more herbicides and pesticides to our fields, crank up global population growth, use more non-renewable energy resources, and pollute every single environment we touch.

The die-hard tech evangelists typically counter anyone weeping and wailing about environmental destruction with a catalogue of the ways technology has lengthened the human lifespan, conquered diseases, expanded economic opportunity, and created the worldwide communication web, etc., etc. They see technology as a resource-liberating force, maintaining that an Earth bombarded with plentiful solar energy and practically covered with water can not lack the ingredients for a productive life. After all, didn’t God give dominion of the Earth to man and tell us to be fruitful and multiply?

Only problem with that scenario is humans are on track to hit the terrific mark of being the only species to have developed themselves into extinction by extirpating as much flora and fauna as we can possibly get our hands on, an achievement of which we should be proud because we have worked so hard to get to that point. Congrats all round for us being too stupid to see the finger writing on the wall: mene, tekel, peres. We have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Period.

Which should come as a tremendous relief for all the politicians and enviro-diplomats since they won’t have to go to those hugely depressing international conventions on bio-diversity that have never, in the history of the world, accomplished one single positive action on a global scale.

As Pogo said to Porkypine in the famous cartoon strip published on Earth Day (February 26), 1971: "We have met the enemy and he is us." A tip of the hat to Walt Kelly for his perspicacity and sardonic foresight.

In the words of the immortal (oops, poor choice of words there) gospel song, “Good news, chariot's comin.' Good news, chariot's comin.' Good news, chariot's comin' and I don't want it to leave me behind.” The bad news is that particular chariot is being driven at break-neck speed by none other than humans dressed as the Grim Reaper intent on running over every single critter around.

Why Gasoline Prices Are High

Tea Party ranting and GOP candidates’ pronouncements aside, American presidential or Congressional decisions, or the lack thereof, have not one thing to do with the price of gas now and most likely into the future, not unless the U.S. goes to war to secure petroleum reserves. The cost of petroleum is set on the global market and by conditions in oil-producing nations, not by politics here in the U.S.

So, let’s cut straight to the reality of rising gas prices. Be warned: the problem is neither simple nor straightforward.

Global production of oil from all sources was essentially flat from 2005 to 2010 (the last year for which global data are available). To be absolutely accurate, world oil production rose approximately 2.7 percent during that period, amounting to an annual growth rate of around 0.45 percent.

In the recent past, oil supplies from Iraq, Libya, and Iran have been disrupted or reduced.

Demand from Asian nations is spiking and will likely continue on a tear into the foreseeable future.

Economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the U.N. and responding threats by Iran to stop oil production and close the Straits of Hormuz have caused an increase in the futures market; although most petroleum economists believe the role speculators play overall is fairly minor, that situation may change quickly if war breaks out between Iran and Israel.

Internationally, oil is valued in U.S. dollars, thus, the 40 percent decline in the value of the dollar over the last five or six years resulted in upward movement of oil prices.

Since December 2011, the U.S. has lost about four percent of its refining capacity when two refineries in Pennsylvania and one in St. Croix closed.

Most East Coast refineries are configured to refine Brent “sweet” crude, which is a benchmark of light, low sulfur oil that comes from a blend of crudes from fields in the North Sea. As Brent prices have risen in comparison to heavier crudes from Canada and South America those refineries have been forced to produce more expensive gas than that produced in the Midwest, which can refine cheaper crudes, especially West Texas Intermediate and the heavier crudes mentioned above.

Several U.S. oil refineries temporarily shut down this winter to make refining process adjustments to be able to meet increased demand during the summer driving season; that shut-down has decreased supply and caused upward pressure on pricing.

No new American oil refineries have been built in decades and none will likely be built in the future, nor will refining capacity be increased; all of which will have the effect of further constraining domestic gasoline supply.

Annually, the U.S. consumes about 22-24 percent of the world’s petroleum. We’re energy addicts and energy hogs, no doubt. The problem is we like it that way and have no desire to change our behavior. Where energy is concerned most Americans act like spoiled, narcissistic children who have no desire to understand the complex reality. We want what we want, when we want it, and want it to be cheap. Period

What we have today in terms of gasoline prices is a perfect storm that has no easy solution. But Americans want an easy solution that won’t cost us a dime more than we are prepared to pay. Hate to burst your bubble but that ain’t gonna happen any time soon.

Let me lay it out in the simplest terms possible. World-wide production of crude oil has plateaued and will likely begin decreasing in the near future. Global demand is increasing and will continue to do so. Supply of refined oil products (gasoline) is limited by low production of crude oil and by refinery constraints (intentional and unintentional).

The conclusion: low gas prices are history. Americans should get used to it and stop their pathetic whining.

One more important point. Politicians and others who promise that they can deliver cheap gasoline and other non-renewable sources of energy by increasing American production are lying. If you do not believe that statement you desperately need to educate yourself on energy economics and stop listening to TV commercials that intentionally distort energy realities.