Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told the BBC that if a war was to break out between Iran and Saudi Arabia, oil prices could rise up to “unimaginably high numbers.” He says this is possible if the world doesn’t try to deter Iran, and that more escalation will threaten the world’s interests. “Oil supplies will be disrupted and oil prices will jump to unimaginably high numbers that we haven’t seen in our lifetimes.”
He also told the BBC that the Middle East region “represents about 30% of the world’s energy supplies, about 20% of global trade passages, about 4% of the world GDP.” These numbers indicate that there could be a huge impact on the world’s economy if a war was to break out between the two biggest players, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Saudi crown prince warns of 'Iran threat' to global oil https://t.co/Mla86DtlIy
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 30, 2019
This situation just shows that we, as a globally connected nation, need to find ways to become more sustainable. Imagine if we didn’t need oil because we used solar power, wind power, hydropower, and electric transport. Instead of having the rest of the world punished because two nations are disagreeing, we would be enjoying self-powered electric transport.
https://twitter.com/tesla_truth/status/1178519315055693824
Fuel security, and related economic security, is one concern. Greta Thunberg’s message to the world’s political leaders is another. Her speech at the United Nations not only demanded the world leaders wake up, but invoked them to own up to their part in not doing enough to address climate change. She also emphasized the urgency of this global situation — fueled by the fire of her spirit as she demanded, “How dare you?”
Greta’s energy put a jolt into broader society from the climate movement. We must evolve, as humanity has continued to do for the thousands of years we have existed. Instead of fighting over oil, we should find ways to become more sustainable and eliminate our dependency on oil.
“I can’t afford solar panels” or “I can’t afford to switch to an EV” are the most common reasons I have come across when having conversations with people who want to “go green” but feel as if they can’t. And I get it — I pay rent in an old house that doesn’t have solar panels. I use natural gas and electricity. I don’t even own a car. So, I definitely get the struggle. But there are many who can go solar and can go electric.
Further, many people are genuinely not aware of the crisis, and how bad it is. Greta is waking them up — and like cranky children who don’t want to be woken up, some of her critics are whining and complaining about a child telling them what to do.
As we sit here and watch how the situation between Saudi Arabia and Iran plays out, we need to focus on better ways to become sustainable. Whether it’s starting your own garden or taking part in a community garden like a few of my neighbors and I do, or leading the youth on climate strikes like Greta is doing, it all matters.
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