Yergin tells the story of how vital energy is to geopolitics. He argues that a new global map is being shaped by geopolitics and energy. It is a dynamic map that is constantly changing based on actions taken by nations and their relationship to energy and climate goals. The new politics of climate include reducing carbon emissions and expanding renewable sources of energy. The map is also being changed by the effects of the coronavirus.
Yergin outlines how shale oil production changed America’s position in the world from oil importer to exporter. He also explains how new cold wars are developing between the United States and Russia and the United States and China and the role that energy plays in them.
Yergin spends a good amount of time outlining the history of oil and natural gas development and discovery in multiple countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Russia. He also outlines how energy has played a role in international relations. For example he spends time explaining the relationship between Russia and Ukraine regarding the pipelines that deliver energy to Europe or the building of Nord Stream I and Nord Stream II. He also describes the history of pipelines in the United States such as the Keystone XL pipeline.
Yergin speaks about the United States reliance on financial sanctions and the net impact that will have on the financial stability of the United States. “There is a risk that the commanding position of the United States derived from its capital markets and the dollar could be eroded over time by the over reliance on financial sanctions because nations will find alternatives.”
He discusses innovation in the car industry and the effects that will have on energy. He outlines the trajectory of electric vehicles and how without government subsidies the consumer of today is more likely to choose a gasoline powered vehicle because the costs are too high if passed along to the consumer. He also discusses self driving cars.
He closes by looking at climate policy and how that will effect the future. He acknowledges that oil and natural gas are required for the world economy to run and they will be for some time to come. With the amount of the world that is under developed energy needs will continue to grow and will shape the geopolitics of the new map.
Overall I give this book 4 stars out of 5.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
William Wilberforce has been called an agitator for his commitment to ending the slave trade. One of his well known speeches on the subject was given on May 12, 1789.
Cardinal Richelieu has been hailed as a great statesman and as a subversive authoritarian. Depending on who you talk to he was a man needed to strengthen the monarchy in France, or he was a tyrant seeking personal power. Next week I will have a book review that may shed more light on Cardinal Richelieu.
This month this community will focus on political subversion. What is subversion? When is it justified? What is the interplay between subversion and agitation? These are some of the topics to be discussed this month.
“Whatever the immediate gains and losses, the dangers to our safety arising from political suppression are always greater than the dangers to the safety resulting from political freedom. Suppression is always foolish.”
Neil McDonald
