The Environment of Oil

Oil is the lifeblood of the global economy, and its misuse carries the risk of heavy economic and environmental penalties. This text 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 the competition issues in the production and distribution of petroleum products. The wide range of topics reflects the many different ways in which petrol production and use affect the quality of our lives. The essays are the end result 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 aim to offer new insights into the critical task of living with oil, for today and for the future.