Oil, Water, and the Future

No one can deny the importance oil plays in the world. It powers every aspect of everyday life, from trains, planes, and automobiles; to industry; to the farms which supply our foodstuffs at the supermarket. It fuels war, too. Only the crassest of individuals believe that the war in Iraq is primarily about terrorism. In reality, the utmost priority focuses on the control of oil. And it's going to get worse.

Nations have already begun to position themselves around the globe to ensure a steady supply in the future. Canada has built bases in the Arctic, as global warming will open up drilling opportunities in the polar icecaps. China has invested heavily in African countries such as Angola, so as to obtain rights to drill offshore. They've also ramped up the development of their navy to protect oil interests in the South China Sea and elsewhere. Europe heavily depends on an increasingly assertive Russia. America endures leaders, countries, and policies it finds distasteful.

Global warming has worsened the situation. As climate change grows increasingly severe, it will affect food and water supplies. At present, for example, many of China's cities face water shortages. What's more, deserts in the west of China are rapidly encroaching on farmland, too. The same has begun to happen elsewhere around the globe, to the alarm of scientists. Water could become a non-renewable resource like oil. If so, then countries will need even more oil to guarantee food and water for its citizens.

It's important to note that many countries coveted oil in the years before World War I. Alliances were formed to protect interests around the world, and this led to the start of the Great War. As vital oil and water become scarcer in the 21st century, there can be only one result: conflict.

Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Oil, Water, and the Future."

Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.

1. Only the () of individuals believe that the war in Iraq is primarily about terrorism.

2. The () priority focuses on the control of oil.

3. China has invested heavily in African countries such as Angola, so as to () rights to drill offshore.

4. China has also () the development of their navy to protect oil interests in the South China Sea.

5. Europe heavily depends on an increasingly () Russia.

6. America () leaders, countries, and policies it finds distasteful.

7. Deserts in the west of China are rapidly () on farmland.

8. Water could become a non-() resource like oil.

9. It's important to note that many countries () oil in the years

before World War I.

10. As () oil and water become scarcer in the 21st century, there can be only one result: conflict.

Post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!

1. What do you think about our need for oil? Is it good or bad? Why do you think so?

2. The article suggests that the war in Iraq is really about oil. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

3. What can people do to prevent the grim future predicted in the article? Can you personally do anything?

4. What do you do to help the environment?

5. What do you think about the future? Will life be better or worse in 100 years? Why do you think so?

Google Search: Type "oil crisis" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.

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