Renewable Energy, Resource Scarcity, and World Hostility

At a party yesterday, I ran into a top-flight businessman who sells advanced sonar systems to the world’s navies.  I happen to know that he spends a huge amount of time in India, and I wanted to ask him about tips to avoid getting sick – a plight that befalls a great number of Americans travelling there. 

I took the occasion to ask about India’s intent in building up its navy.  “Oh, they’ll tell you it’s about Pakistan, but long-term it’s clearly about China.” 

“But China and India aren’t enemies, are they?” I asked.

“They are not overt enemies today; that is correct.  But in the long-term, contention for resources is bound to build.   At some point, India will have to respond to China’s simply taking aim on a resource that has historically belonged to India, and saying, “That’s ours.’”

I suppose he’s exactly right.  Populations are building, resources are becoming depleted; something’s got to give.  As Socrates noted, “All wars are about money.”

The resource of the day, of course, is fossil-based energy.  Most of our recent conflicts have been about oil.  China’s attention has been focused on ensuring its access to coal. 

It certainly will be a great day here on Earth when fossil fuels lose their value because we’ve figured out a way to power our planet with the energy generated within our local star.