There are 19 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated #1 by Helium's members.
Results so far:
| Yes | 73% | 119 votes | Total: 163 votes | |
| No | 27% | 44 votes |
I don't believe it's a question of, will water become more valuable than oil, but a question of, when will water become more valuable than oil? As we move towards viable alternative fuel sources,(and as ever hightening gas prices encourage us to move further and faster in this direction), I think it's clear that oil is on it's slow and steady way out. And even if you dispute this observation, you can't argue that oil has an endless global supply. We know for sure that this is not the case.
The 'Peak Oil Theory', devised by M King Hubbert in 1956, describes a likely decline in consumption as demand and therefor prices increase, while supply deminishes. He predicted Americas consumption peak to be between 1965-1970. Oil industry giants admit that most of the worlds oil reserves have already been found and globaly, we've peaked as far as daily production is concerned.
I believe that first the so called first world nations will move further and further away from oil as fuel, as alternatives become more reliable and cost effective. Once these alternative sources are perfected and proven, the second world nations then begin to move into them. Then of course, when prices fall enough as the new fuel routine becomes truly routine, the third world nations begin to switch, perhaps with a little help from thier friends. Once everyone has switched, the price of oil falls through the floor with it's demand.
The worlds population continues to grow, so too does the worlds oil shortage. Economics will definitely push us to develope our alternatives. But oil is not the only shortage we will face. Nor is it the most important. Fresh, clean water is also a limited resource. We do have technology to clean dirty water, but the process adds price to production. Nominal price so far, but as demand goes up and supply goes down, price goes up. And we can desalinize salt water into fresh but not very efficiently and so far, at great expense.
Our global ability to clean the water we dirty is not keeping up to the rate of consumption and as global population continues to rise, the shortage of fresh, clean water will become more and more evident. It may take another hundred years or so, but once the need for oil is all but faded into the annals of history, the need for water will not only still exist but likely increase. The only possible way to keep up will be to use technology to clean, re-clean, and clean again, all the fresh water we have. Every time we process it, we add cost to it's production. At this point water should be worth more than oil.
Global warming could very well continue to deminish our already limited supply of fresh water with each successive generation. This effect can only serve to tilt the scales more quickly. Water will absolutely be more valuable than oil at some point in the future, and then forever beyond. And any good philosopher would tell you, it already is.
Learn more about this author, Ivan Anthony.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:
by Ivan Anthony
I don't believe it's a question of, will water become more valuable than oil, but a question of, when will water become more
Will water become more valuable than oil?
Just a Sip
This debate is absurdly late for civilized people.
Water is already more
Add your voice
Know something about Will water become more valuable than oil??
We want to hear your view.
Write now!
Featured Partner
E Square has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse E Square's featured title...more
hide