Oil is a nonrenewable resource. In addition to being a highly valued commodity, the pursuit of oil has also displaced countless animals and destroyed many habitats. Countless lives have been shaped by this incredible resource. Due to its dwindling supply, humans have recklessly gone in search of every last drop, creating a lasting impact on the environment that is at once scarring as it is harmful. As a result, oil has been the root cause of many ongoing problems in the world. It is the reason why there is uneven growth and development in third world countries, and is often the primary source of conflict. Oil spills are drastically devastating, and any areas surrounding a possible drill site is desecrated. There can be no doubt that oil – a naturally occurring resource, is being mistreated as an instrument of power, and in its manipulative uses, is causing more damage to creation than can be fathomed.

In the South American rainforest Yasuni, for example, an Ecuadorian oil company tried to exploit the land for oil, which would have displaced hundreds, if not thousands, of people and animals. Though the indigenous people have been able to stop the Ecuadorian oil industry from entering the last of undisturbed regions of the Yasuni, there are still many areas reeking of a pursuit for oil that is completely devastating for all those living in the surrounding area. Oil pipelines permeate the landscape as they zig zag and intertwine through roads out in the open. Pools of pure water, once clean, are being fed dirty oil laced water. These are the same pools the indigenous people as well as many animals used to be able to use safely. Many once forested areas in addition have been cleared. This is contributing to higher death rates (due to increased risk for cancer in an area where treatment is very hard to procure) among the population in close proximity with the area, is destroying many biomes in one fell swoop, and is factoring into full scale global warming.

  To give you some shocking statistics:

·        The U.S. consumes 24.3% of all oil produces daily – the figures amounted to 20,680,000 bbl/day (figured in billions of gallons consumed per day) in 2007, and the amount has only increased since then

·        Worldwide, we consume 85,085,664 billion barrels per day

·        India and China are the two countries which are recently experiencing a huge surge in demand for more oil, and it is estimated that they consume more than the United States in a few years

·         It is estimated that given the current demand and the estimated growing demand for oil, the oil supply worldwide will be depleted in  5 years

Why is it, that if oil is so limited, that it is still being misused? This attitude toward oil might have been more understandable if it were an indelible staple of life. Yet what are some reasons oil is so heavily sought after? Understandably, it is needed for tasks like cooking, for example. Yet, many times it is also used to fuel high volume gas-guzzling vehicles and machines that ultimately pollute the air with the by-products, the smog and fumes. It is used to make weapons and manipulate lives. Even if oil were an ineradicable part of life, they then would be to not use in excess: moderation alone could lessen the pressure to pursue oil in such a stead fast way. Moderation could help oil last longer for everyone, help preserve the fragile environment, prevent injury and harm to humans and animals. A rule of thumb to remember: preserving oil helps preserve many other things which would otherwise have been at stake.