From Dependence to Resilience: Overcoming the Fossil Fuel Legacy of the 1970s
The 1970s showed us weaknesses that still affect the way we live today. An OPEC boycott caused a sudden lack of oil, which led to "stagflation," or slow growth and rising prices. This shock showed how much people depend on limited, dirty fuels and growth.
Ecological economists could see that the West's reliance on oil was bad for both the economy and the environment. Still, change was hard to come by. Today, fossil fuels are still the main source of energy, which is driving the climate problem.
Developing countries used the same extractive approach, putting profits ahead of being good stewards. Large-scale use of resources is now putting towns and systems that keep people alive in danger.
On the other side of pollution is economic uncertainty. Exposure to uncertain markets makes things worse, as the crisis of the 1970s showed. The world is still vulnerable because of this.
Even after 50 years, little has changed. We keep struggling with patterns of consumption and creation that can't last. To make people and the world more resilient, we need to rethink how development works with the gifts of nature.
We need to stop using fossil fuels if we want to live in a better world. With bravery and belief, we may collaborate in harmony, save energy, and give everyone access to clean energy to end our dependence. Our grandchildren will judge if this problem led to the changes that the climate needs.