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Drowning in Our Own Greed How does a nation justify Hummers that reach 1 mile per gallon while calling for cheaper gasoline prices? Why do we demand that other countries lower trade barriers, providing cheaper oil, when we send nothing in return? How do we explain our refusal to promote public transportation to island nations disappearing under rising sea levels? These were among the larger issues that brought together leading climate change scientists, human rights groups, environmental and peace activists. Gathered at the Petro Politics Summit in Washington D.C on January 6th, participants charged the Bush administration with encouraging a national addiction to non-renewable, unstable sources of oil. This addiction began long ago, yet with automobiles obtaining fewer miles per gallon now than the Model T, the situation is definately getting worse. The Bush administration justified the war in Iraq by the search for weapons of mass destruction. Yet, our lust for oil was confirmed when troops guarded oil wells over people, museums and hospitals. Iraqi voices heard at the Petro Politics Summit told of day-long lines in Iraq to fill gas tanks. These lines continue within view of oil wells that continue to pump, and export to the rest of the world. Beyond Iraq, in nations such as Algeria, Angola, Congo, Ecuador, Gabon, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Trinidad Tobago, real, per capita incomes are plummeting, even as oil revenues increase. These countries have trouble providing running water and electricity to their citizens, not to mention jobs. When oil prices fluctuate so do public, health and education services. Citizens know their oil is being exported and demand better treatment from their government. However, the state lacks funding to apply for loans, backed by future oil sales. These loans will exist long after the oil supply has been depleted, forcing nations to turn to even more exploitive industries while dealing with the lingering effects of oil. This situation has, and will continue to, result in regional and civil wars. These wars are fought over the remaining oil reserves, water supplies, and even communities rights to exist. Oil companies create sub-corporations to securing contracts with oil rich communities. When communities refuse to sign they are threatened, removed from their land, denied resources and killed. The United States and its allies have sold the weapons used in these conflicts. The military and security forces have been trained by our specialists. Plans for new US military bases are underway in Algeria and Nigeria. Unsurprisingly these nations are among the top 10 oil suppliers, and contain indigenous people who do not receive shares in profits from oil exports. To bring attention to these, and many more issues, the Petro Politics Summit is calling for all presidential candidates to refuse money from oil companies. This goal is possible. In the last presidential election candidates refused tobacco money, resulting in a discussion of tobacco’s role in politics. The Petro Politics Summit believes refusal of oil money will have the same effect. Candidates will be forced to discuss both their plans for the environment and programs to move the nation away from its oil dependence. Beyond the elections, each of us can take action to move away from oil dependence. Carpooling, using public transportation, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Every other developed nation is taking steps to reduce climate change. Be it from taxes on gasoline, shifts to renewable energy suppliers, or public transportation. The United States needs to follow this trend, setting an example of clean development. We must stop forcing nations to drown in our own greed. - Allison Hahn |