With twice the oil and three times the natural gas previously estimated — and plenty of coal -- in just a few years the US could produce more fuel than it burns. But America's "energy independence" could lead to economic upheaval in countries that depend on energy exports, which could spell big trouble for global stability. Beyond that, while oil and natural gas burn cleaner than coal, they're still fossil fuels and, with the latest technology, they might never run out. Would that kill economic incentives for alternative energy sources and the political will to deal with climate change before it's too late?
'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad?
Credits
Guests:
- Charles Mann - The Atlantic - @CharlesCMann
- Michael A. Levi - Council on Foreign Relations - @levi_m
- Philip Verleger - PKVerleger - @pkverlegerllc
- Michael Ross - professor in the Political Science Department and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA