The fact that Exxon was out bid by China National Petroleum shouldn’t be surprising considering 2008 was the first year that developing countries led by China consumed more energy than developed countries.  It was also noted in BP’s report that industrialized countries reduced their energy consumption by 1.3 percent led by a 2.8 percent decline in energy consumption from the U.S. the steepest single year decline since 1982.  However the potential benefits of energy reduction were offset by countries who increased their energy consumption. China accounted for nearly three-quarters of the 1.4 percent global consumption increase.

So, did we reduce our global oil consumption or what?  While that is good work 2008 also marked a reduction in proven oil reserves.  Since 1980 oil reserves have fallen only three times, 1990, 1998 and 2008.

Oil, oh oil, where has thou gone?
 

BP estimated that we have 42 years of oil left at current consumption rates 60 years left of natural gas and 122 years of coal.  This might be fine and dandy if the people of the world used the same amount of energy each year. They don’t.  They use more each year.   The price of natural fuels as we know them will only go up.  It will reach the point that only the elite rich and military forces will have use of them long before they run out.  If we waged war for oil in the past is debatable.  The thought that if we don't change we will have to wage war for oil in the future is fact.
 

According to The International Energy Outlook, world marketed energy consumption is projected to increase by 44 percent from 2006 to 2030.  Total energy demand in developing countries is estimated to increase by 73 percent, compared with an increase of only 15 percent in developed countries.

The U.S. is hoping to curb its fossil fuel consumption through the Cash for Clunkers program, increased fuel economy standards and proposed Climate Bill.  It is also hoping to increase bio fuels use through the Bio fuels Inter agency Working Group and boost the pace of bringing hybrids and electric cars to market in part through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
 

What’s the moral of this story?  Oil is running out.  Accept it and move on.  The world must change how it produces and uses energy.  Now.

I am looking at that clear, sunny sky and I can not believe that our leaders are so corrupt that we are just trying to find ways to slow down how fast we burn dinosaur juice when we have the ability with 300 square miles of solar panels placed in a dessert that could make all the energy needed for the world!  Fuel from Dino's needs to go the way of the Dino!
 

I am not saying stop using oil.  I don't really care about going green.  I am saying solar, wind and hydrogen power is the way of the future so lets stop waiting around.  We need to lead the world in new fuel technology and implication the way we lead the space programs of the 70's and 80's.

We already have a good start on what is needed.  We just need to take the next step.