There can be little denying the fact that the exploitation of cheap fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas) gave rise to the global military industrial complex that is rife today. Since 1928 and the subsequent formation of the Seven Sisters (BP, Shell, Texaco, Chevron, Mobil, Gulf and Exxon) oil has been the "blood of every battle."
This very exclusive cartel has for the past 85 years dominated the world by controlling oil (its supply, costs, and price). During the 1960's this cartel controlled as much as 85% of the world's oil reserves. This fueled growth in the automobile industry pioneered by the model T Ford. And this gave rise to things like super highways, sprawling metropolis, suburban America and large commutes to and from work.
So how have the Seven Sisters managed to do this?
They've managed to control the majority of the world's oil supply through massive abuse of power. Nowhere has this been more prevalent than in the Middle East. President Bush's rhetoric to invade Iraq on the grounds that they were harboring "weapons of mass destruction" was nothing but a lie in order to provoke war as a means to control the world's greatest oil supply.
One thing is certain though. The Seven Sisters did greatly benefit from this war. Not only could they secure the most abundant oil producing rigs in the world, but they could also benefit from the spike in oil prices pre-invasion of Iraq.
Africa (specifically Libya, Gabon, Algeria and Nigeria) was another part of the world with oil supplies ready to be exploited by western oil corporations to the severe detriment of the countries involved. Nigeria has since been brought to its knees by oil companies who've no less than raped and pillaged the country's oil reserves through war and corruption. The irony is that Nigeria has to import refined oil for local use while it's own oil gets exported for vast corporate profit.
The global oil game is beginning to change though. As new players enter the fray and the Seven Sister's relinquish their grip on controlling global oil reserves, a new dynamic is unfolding. This is due to the rise of the might of China with its thirst for economic expansion (2 years ago China was growing at a rate of 10% per annum).
China's strategy has been to form strategic alliances with countries like Sudan and Iran. Sudan has welcomed the capital investment into its economy for the building of roads and railways. Iran too, has welcomed the new found interest due to international sanctions.
Another major area for oil production is the Caucasus which has seen many a battle for power since the Russian Revolution. Lenin, Stalin and Hitler were all fixated on gaining control of Baku for its oil supply. Decades after WW2, Saudi Arabia and the US conspired to take down the USSR, literally opening the taps on the global supply of oil from the region. It was only until Vladimir Putin stepped into power that he would stamp his authority (specifically on the Russian oligarchs) under the guise that oil equals power.
And so now we have 3 superpowers all involved in the battle for the remaining global oil supplies - The American Eagle, The Russian Bear and The Chinese Dragon. The nationalization of oil reserves has given rise to a new group of companies vying for the title of the Seven Sisters. These companies are: Russia's Gazprom, The China Petroleum Corporation, The National Iran Oil Company, Venezuela's PDVSA, Brazil's Petrobras and Malaysia's Petronas.
Since peak oil hit in 2006, oil extraction has become increasingly dangerous and more expensive. Off-shore drilling in places like Brazil, Venezuela and the Arctic have become more prominent, while the Keystone XL pipeline in Canada and the Alaskan pipeline has drawn much criticism for their environmental impact. Thus it is with great trepidation that these power struggles play themselves out in relation to climate change. Our reliance on fossil fuels has to diminish if we are to stand any chance of limiting global warming to the critical 2 degree Celsius rise from pre-industrial levels.
Anything above this will have dire consequences for plants, animals and humans alike. Such an increase in temperature would result in a massive loss of biodiversity putting into effect a downward spiral. This loss can be prevented however, if we choose to act now! But with America's new shale gas revolution and power hungry struggles over the planet's remaining oil reserves (please see current events in Syria), the future ain't looking too rosy...
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