In his continued effort to expose secrecy, conspiracy and corruption surrounding the history of oil in America, author Edwin Black spoke about his latest book on campus Tuesday.
Marissa Mayer/Contributing Photographer
His 2008 book, “The Plan: How to Rescue Society the Day the Oil Stops — or the Day Before” explains how America is unprepared to stop importing foreign oil.
The lecture, which was titled “The Truth about Oil Addiction and a Plan for the Future,” was held in Lecture Hall 8. Approximately 15 people attended the event.
During the presentation he traced the history of oil usage in the country, beginning with the industrial revolution, the railroad, the invention of the first electric car in 1835 and the invention of the hydrogen fuel cell in 1838.
Black noted that America has had alternative energy technology for over a century. By citing events in the early 20th century, such as the phasing out of the electric car and the systematic destruction of electric trolley systems, he argues that a combination of monopolization practices and corporate misconduct has led to society’s increased dependency on oil.
“The United States uses approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day,” Black said.
He added that if oil-exporting nations were to embargo the United States, American society would be unable to function.
“We have no plan,” he said.
In order to be prepared for a sudden oil shortage, Black suggested that the country should revive the century-old technologies of alternative energy.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we need to unbury it,” he said.
Caitlyn Edmundson, treasurer of the Student Environmental Awareness Club, which sponsored the event, said she was generally pleased with the presentation, but did have some reservations.
“I was hoping he would focus more on environmental aspects,” Edmundson, a senior majoring in economics and math, said.
Regardless of the economic implications of the United States’ use of oil, the current patterns of energy consumption are not sustainable, she added.
“If we keep consuming energy at the rate we’re going we’re still going to run into problems in the long run,” she said.
James Little, a resident of Endicott and founder of Environmental Social Justice Coalition, also based in Endicott, helped organize the event and said he hopes to “put pressure on corporations in general.”
When an audience member asked whether anyone in a position to implement Black’s plan was listening to what he had to say, Black’s response showed his frustration.
“No,” he said. “No one’s listening.”