Addiction to oil isn't limited to U.S.

During last week's State of the Union address, President Bush uttered the words few thought he would ever say: "Here we have a serious problem. America is addicted to oil."

To be sure, the U.S. is the biggest consumer of crude in the world. But it is hardly alone in its addiction. A review of data from the International Energy Agency shows Canada's consumption mirrors that of the U.S. And China has seen its increasing capacity to swill oil blamed for some of the run-up in crude prices, and the fear is that China is just getting warmed up. Even though the Chinese consume only about 2 barrels of oil per person each year, the country has all the hallmarks of North America's "big country syndrome."

Canadians use slightly more oil per person each year than Americans do - 26.2 barrels, compared with the U.S. average of 25.6 barrels. Canada is cold, and Canadians need crude to keep warm. Both countries have industrialized economies with a multitude of oil-intensive industries, from manufacturing to farming. And in the absence of any meaningful public transportation system, big countries build a lot of roads and have legions of cars, trucks and SUVs driving on them. Of course, the U.S. has more than nine times the population of Canada, which makes it, far and away, the largest overall consumer of oil on the planet.

But big country syndrome, along with all of its energy implications, is why so many energy watchers are so nervous about China. The country has a population of 1.3 billion people itching for a better standard of living. Getting there requires oil.

Post a Comment:

Comments are closed for this entry.

« World's largest... | Main | Panasonic to setup... »

Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :

1. Singapore MRT rail network length to double by 2020
2. 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car specifications : 107hp, 24KWh lithium-ion batteries, 100-mile range
3. Live spot gold price quotes chart on COMEX
4. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
5. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 direct download link
6. Real-time live gold and silver price quotes chart on COMEX
7. Singapore electric vehicles : Government agencies EMA and LTA to study EV introduction
8. Book review : Shut Down by William Flynn

Featured articles on lowem.log :

1. Book review : Shut Down by William Flynn
2. Singapore electric cars testing starts with 9 electric vehicles
3. Honda, GS Yuasa JV to make lithium-ion batteries for 2010/2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
4. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
5. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
6. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
7. NYMEX crude oil recovers from $32.40 low after 2.2 mbpd OPEC production cut announced
8. Singapore : Nuclear power not ruled out