The Oil Crisis: Solved!

The past hundred years have been some of the human race’s most important years for the discovery and production of oil. The world was producing more oil each year than the earlier year. An oil geologist from the U.S. named M. King Hubbert predicted that the U.S. would reach its peak of oil production, which was commonly known as Hubbert’s Peak[1], in or around the year 1970. Even though his theory was ridiculed at that point, when the year 1970 came, his theory became a reality. Ever since then, the U.S. has produced a lesser and lesser amount of oil per year. A similar peak is thought to have been reached in the last few years regarding the world’s oil reserves. This just brings about the thought that if the world’s oil was to run out, will the people’s lives be the same, and will they be able to live with the same quality of living as they do today? The world’s dwindling oil supplies would direct one to think that the standard of living would reduce. But the real solution to this growing problem lies in alternate energy resources. Yes, even if the world runs out of oil, one’s standard of living will remain the same or become better. Reasons that support the claim that the world can survive without oil include among others, at least two different types of energy: solar energy and hydrogen energy.

Solar power is a type of energy generated from solar cells that is only active in sunlight. Solar energy can be a good substitute for fossil fuels that are used to power homes, and sometimes even transportation devices. An example of the use of solar panels are rovers. A couple of years ago, two space rovers were launched for mars: “Spirit”, and “Opportunity”[2]. They were only meant to travel around 600 yards in their lifetime, before they would die due to lack of power. Today, after five years of service, the rovers still continue to operate, having traveled more than one mile. Their entire operation is run by the power generated from the solar panels attached to them. Another example of a use of solar power is the use of solar panels shingles. Solar shingles can reduce or even omit the electricity bill, while charging in the daytime and being used in the night and day. Some business-savvy users have even used solar panels to power an entire neighborhood. This can seriously lower CO2 emissions that come from the factories that are providing the same energy. Solar power will allow a common man to maintain his lifestyle, without dependence on oil, as it can produce as much energy as fossil fuels.