Tag Archives: oil prices

Affordability, Not Scarcity, Is the Real Energy Crisis

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Gail Tverberg

With the recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, many expect oil prices to spike and stay high. . . . Looking at energy data going back to 1820, low demand (affordability) has repeatedly produced financial crashes, wars, and collapses, we appear to be entering another such period. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Implications, News Related Post | Tagged , , , | 2,290 Comments

Losing the Iran War May Be the Best Outcome for the World

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Gail Tverberg

At this point, the world economy needs to make a major transition in order to deal with the inadequate level of fuels available for long-distance transportation.
It is ironic that the world economy cannot make a change such as this without a war to focus our attention in this direction. Continue reading →

Posted in Energy policy, Financial Implications, News Related Post | Tagged , , | 3,760 Comments

A New Explanation for Tariffs and Bombings

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Gail Tverberg

Because of energy-related shortages that are already being encountered, national economies are beginning to act like the players in a game of musical chairs, with one too few chairs. Leaders have taken to building up armies, cutting off exports of critical minerals, imposing tariffs, and bombing other countries. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Implications | Tagged , , | 3,475 Comments

Understanding Deglobalization: The Role of Diesel and Jet Fuel

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Gail Tverberg

While international trade grew as a percentage of GDP between the 1960s and 2008, it has been basically flat since then. Now the shortages of diesel and jet fuel are forcing the international trade percentage to start falling to a lower level. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Implications, News Related Post | Tagged , | 1,446 Comments

What has gone wrong with the economy? Can it be fixed?

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Gail Tverberg

I don’t believe that the situation is hopeless. At the end, I discuss where we are now, relative to historical patterns, and some reasons to be optimistic about the future. Continue reading →

Posted in Energy policy, Financial Implications, oil shortages | Tagged , , , | 1,621 Comments