BREAKING: Oil crashes by most since 1991 as Saudi Arabia launches price war

[TaraJo]

Mostly, what's bothered me is that fossil fuels have fought so hard to prevent any research or development into alternative energies, especially green energy.  Do I think we're going to be able to function without all those gas burning cars filling the streets?  No.  But I also don't think it would hurt to build a few more windmills here or there and maybe build a few hydroelectric dams.  Unfortunately, doing things like that would hurt oil company profits so politicians have been actively fighting against them.  Previously, elected officials would at least be subtle about it, but then Trump came in and started talking about windmill cancer.

And the saddest bit is that there are countries the have eliminated virtually ALL fossil fuels, and other that have decreased their use by as much as 50%. This is why I have trouble taking seriously the arguments against alternative energy sources.

Boru

That's what happens when the same corporate entities that own the politicians also own the media and pump an anti-alternative energy message into the media.  

I just hope when/if big oil has less of a voice, we can finally start getting some green and alternative energy and push for more energy efficiency.  Hell, building a new, green energy infrastructure could start pulling us out of the depression that the coronavirus kicked off.  Lots of jobs could be created building and maintaining hydroelectric systems, geothermal plants, windmills and solar panels.  New, more efficient cars and generators and other engines could bring even more jobs.  Sure, we'll still have some fossil fuels, but we wouldn't be so addicted to them that we're suddenly crippled if something happens to the supply.

Also, worth saying this: the public is much better served with the price drop we have.  A lot of people are struggling with money right now.  A lot of jobs have been lost, a lot of others are taking a big pay cut and one of the jobs a lot of people are turning to are delivery drivers.  Guess what?  Those drivers are saving a lot of money now that they're paying half as much for gas at the pump.  

But I can also see a problem to it.  I live in Oklahoma and oil is a big industry here. There are a lot of people who have jobs that depend on the oil industry here and they're losing hours, losing their jobs, taking pay cuts, things like that.  I'm not without sympathy for them.