We spend billions of dollars every year on oil that could be spent on cleaner, cheaper, American-made fuels. The impact of this addiction can be seen throughout our economy in a cycle of job and money loss:
- AMERICAN JOBS: When oil prices fluctuate, all levels of the economy are affected. When businesses have to pay more to ship their products because of a spike in fuel prices, they have to cut those costs elsewhere, leading to job loss.
- RECESSIONS: Of the 11 recessions in the U.S. since World War II, 10 were preceded by an oil-price spike. By breaking our oil addiction and investing in fuel choice, we can break this cycle.
- RELIANCE ON IMPORTS: The U.S. imports about 40 percent of its oil, sending money abroad that could have helped our economy at home. Building up the domestic infrastructure of alternative fuels would spur economic activity, instead of siphoning away billions that flow overseas.
- HOUSING: High gas prices hit close to home. As gas prices rise, the value of homes farther away from big cities, according to economist Joe Cortright, begin to devalue as the cost of commuting rises.
- WALL STREET: In July 2008, the price of oil hit $147 a barrel, and two months later Wall Street followed suit. In one day, the DOW Jones Industrial Average fell 777 points, ushering in the financial crisis.
- FLUCTUATING PRICES: When gas and oil costs go up, the cost of other products follows. Suddenly, consumers have to pay more for everyday goods that require gasoline or diesel to be shipped. And when we’re spending more on our everyday necessities, we’re spending less on other things we need — delaying big purchases.
- LIMITED CHOICES: With no other options (unless you’re driving a flex-fuel or an electric car), the fluctuation of gas prices leaves the average consumer a sitting duck — unable to pay the price, but unable to purchase any other fuel. That’s why bringing fuel choice to the pump is so important.
The U.S. is at the mercy of oil companies as prices fluctuate, impacting our economy, including day-to-day prices for consumers and the overall job market. It’s time to break this cycle of dependence by bringing fuel choice to the pump.
Join the movement: http://www.fuelfreedom.org/take-action/
News about an imminent ‘mini ice age’ is trending — but it’s not true
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Details on the sanctions against Iran
International sanctions imposed to force Iran to curb its nuclear program have halved its oil exports to just over 1 million barrels per day since 2012, and hammered its economy.
7 ways our oil addiction is hurting the economy
/4 Comments/in Economy, Over a Barrel Blog mgattenyo, staff /by Fuel Freedom StaffWe spend billions of dollars every year on oil that could be spent on cleaner, cheaper, American-made fuels. The impact of this addiction can be seen throughout our economy in a cycle of job and money loss:
The U.S. is at the mercy of oil companies as prices fluctuate, impacting our economy, including day-to-day prices for consumers and the overall job market. It’s time to break this cycle of dependence by bringing fuel choice to the pump.
Join the movement: http://www.fuelfreedom.org/take-action/
Iran reaches nuclear deal with world powers
Iran and a group of six nations led by the United States said they had reached a historic accord on Tuesday to significantly limit Tehran’s nuclear ability for more than a decade in return for lifting international oil and financial sanctions.
Here are 10 striking images of future sea levels
You may have heard that the world could be in for 20 feet of sea level rise even if it meets its climate goal of keeping warming below 2°C.
That rise would vastly reshape coastlines around the world. Specifically, 444,000 square miles of land that’s home to more than 375 million people today will be swallowed up by the oceans. To really understand that, photos do the trick.
Drive healthy: Keep windows rolled up, hit the recirculate button
/in Environment, Over a Barrel Blog lhall /by Landon HallIf you see someone driving a convertible with the top down on the freeway this summer, you might shout a question at them above the roar of traffic: How’s your health insurance policy?
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Refineries and chemical plants struggling to find enough experienced people to replace a swell of retiring workers are hoping to scoop up some engineers laid off by oil and gas firms.
Oil prices could fall further, says International Energy Agency
The IEA said lower oil prices were likely to last well into 2016.
CO2 emissions threaten ocean crisis
Scientists have warned that marine life will be irreversibly changed unless CO2 emissions are drastically cut.
There are 2,200 new coal plants being planned worldwide — enough to cook the planet
On the upside, this electricity boom has helped these countries lift themselves out of poverty. But it’s also meant a rapid rise in carbon-dioxide emissions — and if coal continues to be the world’s energy source of choice, we’ll have little hope avoiding drastic global warming.