The question is, "How long will oil prices keep rising?" Experts say that oil should have been phased out long ago, replaced by cleaner, and more abundant sources of energy. The unfortunate fact, is that the U.S economy is completely dependent on oil, and oil reserves are running out. Over the last century there have been many estimates about how much oil there and many debates about how long it would last, but combined data from oil companies and independent companies have shown that, all the oil in the world has been discovered.

This has been a serious problem for Americans who have not switched to fuel efficient cars. It is also a problem which the federal government has tried tackling. Not twenty five years ago, there was a movement to switch to fuel efficient cars. Some Americans already had them, most did not. Twenty five years ago the government substantially increased the fuel efficiency standards across the board, a smart move for the future. There were many objectors, but today we are very happy that such legislation was passed. Without it we would surely be totally helpless today. Today standards are much higher, but there are still many who rely on oil and gasoline. Increased oil prices are sure to be felt the most by Americans who rely on oil for heating.

The problem of oil is that all people, and businesses rely on it, in one way or another. It is a crucial part of our everyday life. Anything plastic comes from oil, the electricity in your house probably comes from an oil power plant, and any car you drive comes from or uses oil. There have been moves away from oil, but there are many who want to keep using it. The oil companies certainly want to continue selling their oil, domestic auto producers don't like the standards, but in this case the laws are looking out for the consumer.

The effects of the oil crisis can already be seen. The economy is in recession, flying is very costly, transportation in general is costly. The government is doing its part to get people off of oil. Despite all this there have been some benefits from the oil crisis. More cities provide better public transportation, which was initially funded by the federal government. This has led to higher growth in urban areas, less pollution, and better urban health. Cities are most grateful for the federal government's assistance in this instance, because without the federal funding it would have been impossible to build the newer infrastructure.

The shift away from oil, is having many positive effects, but the shift is coming in the middle of the crisis. The biggest benefit on the national level, is that the US is becoming more independent of oil producing countries like ones in the middle east. This gaining of independence is making some major foreign policy changes toward that region. All of which seem positive, after years of background dealings with them, it is nice to be free of such relationships. Hopefully the legacy of hatred in the middle east will dissipate as our need to have influence there decreases.

It is not very hard for Americans to become less dependent on oil. In fact the easiest way to do it is to buy a fuel efficient, car, or to take public transportation. Hopefully with incentives and market forces our economy will become less reliant on oil than it is now, and hopefully the current trends continue. If things do not go in this direction I think there will be very bad things ahead. I do not see a very bright future for us.