Measures Taken For Coping With Past Oil Shortages

While the depletion of world oil supplies is still a number of years ahead, some countries have already experienced lengthy oil shortages in the past for various reasons. The methods used by these countries to cope with severe oil shortages may give us some idea of what sort of measures might have to be taken around the world if oil is fully or mostly depleted. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the governments of some Eastern European countries, Cuba faced severe fuel shortages and power outages. One major effort by the Cuban government to alleviate difficulties caused by fuel shortages was to import a large quantity of bicycles from China. Carpooling was also encouraged. Eventually Cuba expanded the use of solar energy, and has recently embarked on an “Energy Revolution” involving the distribution of energy-efficient appliances and other equipment. This, along with discounted oil prices from Venezuela, has substantially reduced the number of power outages and fuel shortages.
Some countries in sub-saharan Africa have faced severe fuel shortages, often due to general economic difficulties. One method of coping with shortages has been to ration the amount of fuel each vehicle owner can purchase, or to prioritize fuel for military and emergency purposes. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo have expanded public transportation, some using extra-large buses built on to cargo truck trailers. Some have expanded increased logging to replace oil-based fuels, but this has worsened desertification. While oil shortages in some African countries have ended, they have began in others, depending upon their specific economic conditions. Like Cuba, North Korea was affected by major fuel shortages after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Severe flooding worsened the situation, and several years during the 1990s were referred to as the “Ardous March.” Many hydroelectric power stations were built, alleviating electricity shortages in some areas. Use of bicycles was encouraged, with a few rural villages receiving large numbers of bicycles from the central government. Cargo trucks which run on charcoal or shredded rubber were brought into use, while there were few non-public vehicles on the streets. At present, the energy situation has improved to some extent, with fewer power outages and more automobiles being used. While these past events shed some light upon what could occur if world oil supplies are fully depleted, the effects would be more long-lasting, as world oil depletion couldn’t be changed by international political or economic changes such as those which solved problems in the above-mentioned countries.

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