The Iran War Is Another Reason to Quit Oil

"In the first two weeks of the war, there has been a surge in the number of Americans looking to save money on energy-by asking for quotes on home solar systems and looking up electric vehicles online. We can expect similar trends in other countries. In India, where many kitchens depend on increasingly scarce and costly liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, consumers are racing to buy induction stoves."

"During Trump's first term, the United Kingdom pledged to get off fossil fuels by the middle of the century, largely because of climate concerns. The country's Labour government has stuck to this pledge. But its green-energy policies, such as a plan to help Britons install electric heat pumps, have been under relentless attack by the Tories, the Reform Party, and right-wing tabloids."

"The problem with the 'Drill, baby, drill' argument is that gas prices are set by global markets. The U.K. is unlikely to lower its own prices by extracting oil that it controls-and, anyway, it would take years for proposed oil wells to produce results."

Energy disruptions from geopolitical conflicts have triggered significant consumer demand for renewable energy solutions worldwide. Americans are increasingly seeking solar installations and electric vehicles, while Indian consumers rush to purchase induction stoves as cooking gas becomes scarce and expensive. The United Kingdom maintains its commitment to fossil fuel elimination by mid-century despite political opposition from conservative parties and media outlets that spread misinformation about green energy costs. Proposals to reopen North Sea oil fields misunderstand global energy markets, as oil prices are determined internationally rather than by domestic extraction, and new drilling would require years to produce results.

Read at The New Yorker