Energy is the basis of all activity and everything in the world. Without energy, nothing moves or transforms; and so, a sustainable society can only exist based on a sustainable energy system.
Nowadays, Human-beings are faced with many energy problems: much of the world's population does not have enough energy to meet basic human needs; the monetary cost of energy is rising almost everywhere, the environmental impacts of energy supply are growing and already dominant contributors to local, regional, and global environmental problems; and the sociopolitical risks of energy supply, especially the danger of conflict over oil, are growing as well. This situation has many causes, but predominant among them is the increase in energy consumption since 1850 and the cumulative depletion of the most convenient oil and gas deposits. This growth has resulted in increasing alternatives to costlier and environmentally more disruptive energy sources. But every problem can be managed as we can help conserve energy in various ways. For instance, using less of an energy service, preserve the energy resources, encourage alternative energy.
Oil is one of the most essential natural resources because it involves the daily life of humans; whether it be transportation, production, or consumption. Although oil is not energy it can be converted to energy. In fact, our world would almost grind to a halt without oil. Factories would stop running, as well as cars. As the heart of any vehicle, airplanes would be grounded and farm tractors would sputter to a standstill and rust. As well, people's homes and offices, if heated by oil, would freeze in winter. Oil is used in many products. Here are just a few examples: farm fertilizers, plastic toys and other plastic goods, cosmetics, detergents, and nylon clothing. Even waxes for chewing gum are made from oil. There is no doubt that modern civilization would collapse in a matter of months if oil stopped flowing. Oil is about as important to the developed world as agriculture. It’s truly a condition for the continued existence of most of humanity today.