Oil Closes above $100 a barrel « It’s Getting Hot In Here

oil world And just when you thought the economy was looking good again! Oil just jumped across another milestone today, closing at above $100 a barrel for the first time. Rising demand, combined with a general loss in production and general tremors due to violence in Nigeria, an explosion at a Texas oil refinery, and Chavez’s recent threats to limit supply, combined in the perfect storm to push the price above the triple-digit mark.

So far, not much discussion in the media of this as yet another reminder of the need to transition away from oil. We’ll see if any of the presidential candidates or other politicians issue some statements. No matter what, now is a good opportunity to crank out another LTE to your favorite newspaper about renewable energy.

What’s next, $4 a gallon gas at the pump? Well, actually, maybe. According to Tom Kloza, an analyst with Oil Price Information Service, it’s looking like gas may reach $3.50 - $3.75 as early as April or May. At this rate, we could be shelling out $4 a gallon by the middle of the summer. I was in Detroit when gas hit $3 a gallon in 2005 and, while a hit to the pocket book, the high prices were a tremendous tool in talking with people about the need to develop more fuel efficient cars. We should be thinking of ways to do education about $4 a gallon this summer. Ideas?

About Jamie

Jamie is the co-coordinator of 350.org, an international global warming campaign. A recent college graduate, he lives in San Francisco, CA. In 2007, he co-organized Step It Up, a campaign that pulled together over 2,000 climate rallies across the United States to push for strong climate action at the federal level. He's also an early member of the youth climate movement, leading one of Energy Action's first campaigns in 2005: Road to Detroit, a nationwide veggie-oil bus tour to promote sustainable transportation. He's traveled to Montreal and Bali to lobby the UN with youth, but he's a strong believer that change happens in the streets not in meetings. Jamie received the Morris K. Udall award in 2007 and has been recognized by the mighty state of Vermont for his work on climate change. You can also find him blogging at Campus Progress' "Pushback," Changents.com, and 350.org.

1 Response to “Oil Closes above $100 a barrel”

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1 Mithun Sridharan Jul 5th, 2008 at 8:42 am

The education should not stop there, but should trickle down to the fundamental understanding about fuel use. I’ve blogged about the selectivity here : http://mithuns-memoirs.blogspot.com/2008/07/oil-and-ecology.html

It’s Getting Hot In Here