Oil Consumption to Drop for First Time in 25 Years

In the 1980's what you saw was the effect of millions of people trying to conserve the valuable natural resources of the earth.

Then you saw industry realize they could make a fortune selling HUGE VECHILES that could run on the fuel that was cheap because of lower consumption.

WEe can not have this cycle repeating it;s self over and over. Conservation has to be mandatory even for businesses and designers.

The recession coming at 'just the right time' will probably keep this 'huge vehicle' rebound from happening as quickly. That is just my perception of the market realities. But those that are pre-disposed to needing large vehicles (especially commercial trucks) are glad to see the relief.

Given our new president elect's stand on energy use, I see the price going back up again with a target roughly equivalent to what you see the EU pays, whether by industry 'incentives' or taxes. That is if he lives up to what he said publicly during the campaign. Being a politician (let alone a Chicago politician), I hesitate to believe everything he says at face value without seeing the results of his actions.

From the president elect's remarks, he would rather see the price change SLOWLY, so the economic factors can be worked into the economy without significant instantanious disruption like we saw over the last year. ... I may not agree with him, but I understand his perspective and views.

Well the real change is going to come from the fact that the USA can not longer bully the 3rd world around and our Corporations get the natural resources cheap and externalize the cost on the backs of the poor in those countries. There are leaders who won't take the World Bank loans and put their country in debt then have to give access to their resources by our corporation really cheap. They are not falling for that old con game anymore. Military intervention is not going to work anymore either to take their resources. We need friends around the world and keeping those people poor so we can live rich lives is not the answer.

Natural Resources are going to need a base price that no Commodity Market can be allowed to sell below. Equity in the natural resources must be maintained to force the change of human behavior and how these resources are viewed, accessed, processed and recycled. Advanced Planning has to be part of equation so there is little waste and recycling is planned and built into the system.

That sounds an awful lot like the old communust '5 year plan' idea that worked out so well.

Do you plan to have gulags set aside for those that won't go along with your plans? It might be easier to just line them up and shoot them.

Change is that scary ? Government mean little over time they all have the same goals. Control of the hearts and minds as well as the economy.

Read "Confessions of an Economic Hitman" if you reallly think the USA is different from Russia.

How could a resource based economy work. We know that a Lienar System can not work when the economy is based on shortages to keep prices up.

Like Diamonds they burn at the mines to keep supplys low. Or the bad seeds they sell to keep production low. The weed killer that the weeds adapt to really fast then require a stronger more expensive weed killer after 2 or 3 years. Round up has almost stopped working on the farms.

"Then you saw industry realize they could make a fortune selling HUGE VECHILES that could run on the fuel that was cheap because of lower consumption."

I am sorry but you have the cart before the horse--- Industry can produce any product they choose, it is the BUYER that dictates what is successful. A good business leader follows the buyer's preference

"WE can not have this cycle repeating it;s self over and over. Conservation has to be mandatory even for businesses and designers."

You can force industry to design and build items that no one will buy, but I do not see how this helps either the consumer or producer. You want to make a change, then focus on changing the consumer's preferences-- controlling the supply side is fatally futile. If you attempt to force people to buy inferior products, they will simply hold on to their existing products longer.

I agree we have to change but forced change is the only way some will change.

Excellent Answer!! I could not agree more!

Regards Dragon

Oil found its high point on what people are willing to pay.

As far as politics goes, each person that goes into politics no matter what good intentions they have, gets consumed by the corruption, no matter if its a democratic, communist, colonial or a dictator government.

That is because they sell their soul to the company bank to get there. If they don't but still make it the good old boys won't play because the federal reserve and the IMF control their purse strings.

I don't hear any of our fearless breeders saying a word about the 2 trillion FRN dollars loaned by the Federal Reserve and back by the Tax payers, or ask to who it was loaned to. So the U.S, citizen backed a loan that devalued the money in their pockets by a considerable amount. I smell fishy pork.

Brad

Oh No.......its the fall of the roman empire all over again........

Their still drinking out of lead pipes?

Speaking of oil, I got a kick out of the speculators having the oil storage full of artificially high priced oil and their is no room for over production and this is driving the oil prices down further. So they are taking an even bigger loss.

Some how I can't find a tear to shed after this summers speculation wars. The fuel here is $1.75 but I'm still keeping my driving to a minimum.

Brad

ha..

What was so foolish of consumers, is when the prices was climbing, oh say 3.50/gal. when it would drop a poultry 10 cent /gallon, you would hear them say what a deal that is . only a few days later it would jump back and then add 30 more cents to the gallon.

they (the producers) are in a predicament now. the producers do need a minimum amount of revenue generated, but I'm sure they will find a way.

"they (the producers) are in a predicament now. the producers do need a minimum amount of revenue generated, but I'm sure they will find a way."

They WILL make a way. They'll lower production to create an artificial shortage.

But I'm already in the "lower my consumption" mindset. I carpool to work. Consolidate errands. Shop closer to home. Only turn on my oil-fired water heater when needed. Shower at work. Keep my foot out of the throttle. Burn pellets or wood.

If everyone did this stuff, then they'd have a REAL problem.

I carpool to work. Consolidate errands. Shop closer to home. Only turn on my oil-fired water heater when needed. Shower at work. Keep my foot out of the throttle. Burn pellets or wood.

@ $4.00+/gal, I think we all began to conserve, That is the only good that became of high gas prices................

btw......how does showering at work conserve?

"btw......how does showering at work conserve?"

We have a big, wonderful shower/locker room at work. About 400 guys take their showers there every day. Actually, I've almost always showered there for years, now I always do. I think it's a conservation practice, as the water there is heated by NG, no oil involved, and there is an "economy of scale".

My point is, even though I just payed $1.62 for a gallon of gas, I will continue these practices.

My point is, even though I just payed $1.62 for a gallon of gas, I will continue these practices.

I agree to these practices even though, not so much in my youth, which seemed short.

My girlfriend has (2) girls (3 when you count the oldest thats married), they felt very comfortable having their mother/father, making unnecessary trips (or multiple trips) for them because they forgot something immaterial. They tried that with me, that didn't last long.

Now the middle one just got her drivers license last fall. She pretty much pays for her own gas, with the money she earned. She quickly is taking a more conservative view.

She just have to work on her choices though when to be conservative and to what makes the cut.

yah, I think this is still on topic.

phoenix911