The early signs of the shift
It has to be said that there are lots of single year and recession related specifics that made this true for 2009, and in 2010, it's likely to shift back towards the normal pattern, but, historically, I think it's highly symbolic that for the first time the Saudis exported more oil to China than the US last year.
(It should also be noted that the Saudis are pushing this narrative of a "failing" America to press the Obama administration on its energy policies.)
(It should also be noted that the Saudis are pushing this narrative of a "failing" America to press the Obama administration on its energy policies.)
posted by mikevotes at
6:11 AM
4 Comments:
When it comes to energy and climate policy, the Republicans are better representatives for Chinese and Saudi Arabian interests than they are of America citizen's. I expect this will be another "the sky is falling!" bullet on the Republican/Fox/hate-radio talking point list.
I see it as a perfect opportunity to sell an alt-energy Apolo project... unless we no longer have the go-to engineering base in this country that we did in the '60s.
By
-epm, at 8:24 AM
Yeah. That's kinda why I thought it was interesting. It's a somewhat artificial data point on a very real curve that will be exploited.
As for the Apollo energy program. There's probably not the will to spend that money right now.
(Although you could get a lot of bang really selling efficiency, although that's often presented as anti-American. (which says alot about the useful image of being American.))
By
mikevotes, at 9:59 AM
Right....less consumption should be good news but it's not.
By
Anonymous, at 1:07 PM
Generally speaking, I have the feeling most Americans don't have a sense of social responsibility. There is no "greater good" in the modern American psyche. Indeed, "greater good" is "socialist".
To acknowledge error, or even a need for change of behaviour -- let alone sacrifice (*Gasp*) -- is not what Americans do. We crash our economic car into a tree and blame the tree for getting in our way.
Maybe this was always the case. I don't know. But it just feel like we're a lazy generation -- intellectually, spiritually, and physically -- that is living off the honor and efforts of our predecessors. Like the proverbial spoiled heiress, we've lost connection to what it means to actually achieve greatness, rather then just claim greatness.
We cry crocodile tears about putting financial burdens on your children, but really we're just cheap bastards who are concerned about our own material greed. Otherwise, we'd have paid for Bush's wars instead of punting it down the generational food chain.
So, no. I guess I don't really expect Americans to gird themselves for the challenge of developing alternative energy sources or to become energy independent. If the healthcare debate is any indication, we'll run our economy and our society into the ground before we even consider making material changes in energy policy. And we'll do it in the name of our children...
By
-epm, at 1:13 PM
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