I am talking about hunger for oil.. Americans consume quarter of all oil produced (total production - 85 million barrels per day) and If each Indian and Chinese were to consume as much oil as an average American does then the world oil production capacity (and availability) would have to jump by 250% to 200 million barrels a day.
Even if Indians and Chinese doesn't consume as much as Americans do, it is predicted that by 2030 India and China where one third of the humanity lives, would import as much as what US and Japan does today. To meet this demand, world oil production capacity would have to go up to 115 million barrels a day and just imagine what this would to do the price of the crude oil? It is hovering around USD 100 today and your guess is as good as mine as to what it would be in 2030.
What is even more worrisome is the fact that India and China seems to fast going down the path of aping US in its love for cars. Even though road infrastructure is far from perfect, its pot hole filled streets are already overflowing with cars, the appetite for Cars seems to have just started. Tata Motors has promised to bring out a people's car at INR 100,000 (USD 2500) which will only dramatically increase the need for imported oil.
I am happy that the Indian economy is booming and that is enabling more Indians to buy cars. But if this boom is not managed properly, we will have drastic and telling impact on the quality of life of all inhabitants of this earth, not just on Indians.
As two of most populated countries in the world, India and China owe it to the world to properly govern their growth, particularly the hunger for oil. Here are several things they can do:
- Make Car buying unattractive: This can be done via sin tax and in the cultural context
- Public transport system: Invest heavily on public transport system. It is unfortunate that cities like Chennai aren't effectively leveraging the train system. MRTS started in 80s is languishing with no direction and funds for years.
- Alternate Sources of Energy: Just like China and India leap frogged in telecommunications, they should jump ahead of oil hunger and find new and efficient sources of energy. India and China were lagging behind in the telephone connectivity, but they jumped on to the mobile bandwagon and now boast of several hundred million connections. They should do the same in transportation as well, but this time by inventing something new and showing the way to the rest of the world.
- Sin Tax: Just like cigarettes, increase the tax on gas and big cars to change citizen behavior.
- Tax incentives: Encourage use of smaller cars / alternative sources of energy via tax incentives.
- Improve Mass Transport System: Allocate more funds to mass transport systems and encourage people to use them via subsidies.
- Alternate source of energy: Put focus (and money) on finding alternate sources of energy in a big way.
Well said, Ram.
ReplyDeleteGoing even deeper, we must simply cut down on any form of consumerism, not just the travel. We must stretch the utility value of any resource and minimise wastage- clothes, food, utensils, tools, gadgets, etc.
Mindless consumption of goods, as is done in the USA, must not be replicated here. Every single item in the supermarket consumed a lot of energy and a non-renewable resource in its manufacture.
Old man Gandhi was right, yet again.
Our increasing need for material possesion is ably supported by opulence. One cannot stop middle class families to sever their material possesion need which is a status symbol.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how much price increases, people will long for items that is a status symbol.
Raman
I don't drink bottled water. Its more expensive than Gas! I don't run, I walk; I wear shoe/sandals that fit right.
ReplyDeleteI don't drink milk, I drink SILK;
I like my cigar; glass of scotch
and good women around me.
I watch Tv on a LCD screen. I use, i-thing to do the rest; it consumes little.
I consume less energy than I did 40 years ago.
I used to drive VW in the 60s when gas was 15cents/gal and they always
washed my windshield, checked my tires and oil. When I filled up I got 6 NFL glasses during the season. Now, I drive a Hummer I pay $3.60 and up, I fillup on self serve, I check the tires and oil during the weekend. I hope gas/oil runs out soon. 'Beam me up' Scotty will be reality in my life time
We still wage wars and spend whole lot of everything in the name of religion, country and libre.
Grass is still green, Sky is still Blue. God if u believe still the same.
Life you choose that fits you.
The rest is like a cheap Iranian movie.
Unfortunately I have very little faith that people in China and India will ever hold back on spending.
ReplyDeleteTheir excuse will be that old tired one: the rest of the worlds been doing it for so long, now its my time.
True strength of character would be if they paused and reflected and understood that they can live wonderful fulfilling lives with all the basics and not too much more.
India has a great weakness for western ideals, I dont see any hope that things will get better. What Indians forget is that the west has laws and regulations that are strictly adhered to dealing with environmental issues.
With increased personal wealth in India look out for more congestion on the roads, more pollution, and more spending.
Its the sad reality for India that while income increases, the overall quality of life is actually decreasing. But you will have to look beyond your four walls to realize that.
The amount of water we use for cooking and drinking is lot lesser than the amount of water we use of washing , cleaning , bathing etc.
ReplyDeleteGoing by the same logic , we could always survive without our vechiles but our other domestic energy needs are lot higher.
Will the nuclear energy help India meet her domestic energy requirements ? Does United States use nuclear generated energy for domestic consumption like electricity ?