Could high oil prices reverse globalization?

[Aggie]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080527.woileconomy0527/BNStory/energy/home

Sorry to hit and run...  interesting article here.

[Opsa]

I think if they do, it will only be temporarily. There are lots of alternative fuels being worked on ... in a hurry!

In a way I just love the fuel crisis. I don't like the rate hikes and inconvenience, but I love the fact that we are FINALLY being FORCED to stop using these unhealthy antique polluting methods to move things around. It's about time we got serious about changing modes.

[Aggie]

I think if they do, it will only be temporarily. There are lots of alternative fuels being worked on ... in a hurry!

At the consumer end of things, certainly.  I'm not sure what will work for industrial shipping - biodiesel?  Maybe it's back to the days of sail.

I like the idea that high oil prices may encourage local production and consumption, although the article does point out that for North America it's more likely to shift production to Mexico (from China/India/Wherever) than to necessarily bring outsourced jobs home.

In a way I just love the fuel crisis. I don't like the rate hikes and inconvenience, but I love the fact that we are FINALLY being FORCED to stop using these unhealthy antique polluting methods to move things around. It's about time we got serious about changing modes.

Ayuh, we've been considering carefully whether it's worth taking the car anywhere. Good timing too...   Christie doesn't have to commute any more, and we live within reasonable walking distance of everything we need on a regular basis (including the library, specialty shops like the Korean market and natural foods/organic market, and Chinatown ^*joy*), so driving is strictly optional.  When we do drive it's either for shorter distances and/or for big shopping runs.

[Opsa]

I like the idea that high oil prices may encourage local production and consumption, although the article does point out that for North America it's more likely to shift production to Mexico (from China/India/Wherever) than to necessarily bring outsourced jobs home.

HAH! I suppose the U.S. will have to re-think walling off Mexico now, huh?

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

HAH! I suppose the U.S. will have to re-think walling off Mexico now, huh?

Only if enough fat cats move their business to Mexico (to lobby against it), otherwise it would be another reason to wall it off, and a way to move the abstract hatred toward China, to a more concrete hatred toward Mexico/Mexicans/Hispanics.

In any case it certainly is an extra pressure to avoid foreign imports.

[ivor]

Oh!  The Great Wall of America.  It will keep the Mongol Horde out to.

Check this out!  http://www.kiteship.com/marine.php

[Opsa]

Well, yo ho ho there, Duje! Looks loik the galleons may come back, too. And who will they need to pilot them? Why, POIRATES of course!

...and if they don't give them to us, we may have to  ...er... influence them  in other ways.

What about the Mongo hordes?

[ivor]

The Mongol Horde?  Well they're from Mongolia.  Genghis Khan and his boys are going to invade if we don't build the Great Wall of America.

[Swatopluk]

There are several different concepts for using sails or other wind powered devices to reduce fuel consumption of ships.
Even the old Flettner rotor may have a comeback.

[anthrobabe]

Oh!  The Great Wall of America.  It will keep the Mongol Horde out to.

Check this out!  http://www.kiteship.com/marine.php

and airplanes also     
sadly it is really not that funny
sigh
(my mom and dad forget that their great grandparents were imigrants also-fleeing their own hell on earth)

[pieces o nine]

...
(my mom and dad forget that their great grandparents were imigrants also-fleeing their own hell on earth)

hear! hear!

[ivor]

There are several different concepts for using sails or other wind powered devices to reduce fuel consumption of ships.
Even the old Flettner rotor may have a comeback.

That's a fascinating machine isn't it!