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by PokerPaul on August 4th, 2005

PokerPaul

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If the world's supply of oil suddenly disappeared, how would we be affected?

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Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by n_o_u_s on August 27th, 2005

    n_o_u_s

    IntellectualCritic is right, except our dependence runs far deeper. Petroleum is used to make almost everything, especially plastics. How about never buying things in plastic bottles again? It'll be too expensive. You'll pay $4 for the milk and $8 dollars for the bottle. How about electronics? Cars and synthetic fabrics too. Adjustments will be made, new technologies will arise. But I think that the transitional period will be far more painful than most people realize.

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  • by IntellectualCritic on August 15th, 2005

    IntellectualCritic

    We can make petroleum-like fuels and lubricants from other raw materials (corn, soy, garbage, etc.) or extract it from oil shale. Those willing to pay for these fuels (they will be more expensive than current equivalents) will be able to use current engines and burners with little or no modification. But the cost of energy would go up significantly affecting most segments of the economy. It would also change the balance of economic and political power in international affairs.

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  • by lincoln on January 22nd, 2006

    lincoln

    If this were to happen suddenly, this planet as we know it would end within a couple of years. There wouldn’t be any “slowly adapt” to a different way of living, you have to remember that crude oil is the base for almost everything we use, or use to run the machinery we use to make almost eveything.
    The other factor we have to add into the question, is the panic factor. Watching the aftermath of Katrina, the social structure broke down within three days. I think a total loss of control would be expected with people trying to grap the last drops of oil, with no real use for it.
    To reconstruct factories to produce the same products would take months, if not years. All forms of basic transport would collapse within days leaving people struck in their homes. Issues like heating would take a huge toll on whole communities. Countries would refuse to share either the technology or oil. This would start world wars and we would slip back into the Stone Age. It's like putting your pet dog out into the middle of nowhere; he wouldn't stand a chance. Game over!

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  • by joeyknuckles on January 20th, 2006

    joeyknuckles

    As hard as it would be to believe, we would only be inconvenienced for a relatively short period of time. mankind has the remarkeble ability to ADAPT and OVERCOME most if not all road blocks to life. yes life would be different, but we would still manage to survive and live gfreat lives as we do now.

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  • by Farino on August 6th, 2005

    Farino

    Many many machines would now be rendered useless as a whole. We would have to convert every motor to an electic motor. This will take time, so anyone with petrol powered motors will have to commute with electric cars which will get very annoying for them at first.

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  • by stonedsober on December 26th, 2009

    stonedsober

    Then we would be forced to grow a lot of hemp. right away. without delay. like yesterday. Like it could have should have been if we weren't ruled by greed. But we are. So be it. Go Green.

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