Oil is the lifeblood of the global economy, and its misuse carries the
risk of heavy economic and environmental penalties. This book is a
collection of essays bearing on economic growth and environmental
concerns for a world that will continue to be dependent on oil
throughout the next century.
Topics include the outlook for petroleum demand and supply, the
potential for alternatives to a petroleum-based economy, the costs of
controlling automobile emissions, the environmental costs of moving oil
by tanker and pipeline, and competition issues in the production and
distribution of petroleum products. The wide range of topics reflects
the many different ways in which petroleum and use affect the quality of
our lives.
The essays are the end results of an initiative by the University of
California Energy Institute and reflect careful research into the costs
and benefits of the petroleum economy. Together, they offer new insights
into the critical task of living with oil, for today and for the future.