Climate change is a major global challenge. It becomes important to highlight it as a part of the sustainable development agenda that every country has been following. With the upcoming surge of the technologies especially in wind and solar, we all hope for a better and more enhanced sustainable energy. The upcoming technologies have all become more cost effective and enhances the energy storage that are to be anticipated. With this, we should also take into consideration the shortage of fossil fuels that we are undergoing, the reality of the lack of it is more nuanced and graver and it hereby becomes important to showcase the depth of the matter. Currently, 80% of the global energy demand fossil fuels and our current biomass in efficient to produce the same. These are all utilized in a very effective and rigorous way by the major developed countries and which results to have its implications on other under developing countries. In this article, we are going to understand the Geopolitics of fossil fuel and the strategies of US, Russia and Middle East and understand the global Implication hereon.
UNITED STATES
The United States has undergone many paramount changes in its energy landscape of the recent years. Traditionally, the country was reliant and dependent on the energy that was imported, particularly oil and further has shifted towards greater energy independence. The change has been made by various advancements in technology, particularly in the filed of extraction of unconventional energy resources.
The developments of technologies such as hydraulic fracturing has enabled the extraction of vast amounts of shale gas and oil from inaccessible reserves. This has led to increase in domestic energy production of the US and their dependence on other countries. The US has now become a leading producer in the growing global energy markets. The role of Shale Gas and Oil has also played a great role in reshaping Global Energy Dynamics. It had also led them to become less dependent on oil import and other impacts to the world.
The United States transforming from a net energy importer to a major energy exporter has bought a significant geopolitical implication to it too. As a major exporter of shale gas and oil, the US has the potential to influence global energy in various ways such as reducing the dependency on traditional suppliers, we also saw a shift in the alliance and there has been an economic influence which has also significantly seen an Impact on OPEC that is within the dynamics of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
RUSSIA
Russia too holds a paramount importance in the global natural gas market and its dominance in the particularly in Europe as a major consumer of natural gas. As Russia possesses one of the largest natural gas reserves globally, primarily located in Siberia. Russia can use the threat of cutting off or reducing gas supplies as a tool for political influence showing energy dependence and political leverage of Russia. Russia strategically employs pipeline projects to strengthen its geopolitical position. There have been major geopolitical projects like Nord Stream and Turk Stream allow Russia to bypass traditional transit routes and energy flow of natural gas to Europe. There have been various energy deals and political alignments that Russia has a preferential treatment in energy agreements, while diverging from Russia's geopolitical stance.
There has been various impacts of Russia Energy Sector such as the followed up of Economic Impact especially its energy sector, it has also led to affecting the development of new energy projects. There has been various diversification efforts intensifying the other energy alternative routes. It has also led to the Political Response that the Russia is surrounded politically to sanctions framing them as attempts to intensify the demand in the energy sector. The government has also emphasized on self-sufficiency and reduced dependence on western countries.
MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East play a significant role as a major supplier of oil, holding the world's largest proven oil reserves. The region's is pivotal in global energy security and also marks it immense to carter its substantial portion of the world oils demand. As the middle East Countries consist of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran they possess vast oil reserves. They contribute significantly to the global oil reserves. Since all major countries of middle East are a part of OPEC the decision of the organization is highly influenced by the Middle East nations impacting global oil productions. The Middle East strategic location gives them a upper hand leading to its importance about the oil productions leading to its global energy supply chain.
Geopolitical rivalries and alliances within the Middle East significantly impact oil production and distribution. This leading to a lot of questions on the reliability of oil supplies globally. Recognizing the evolving energy landscape and the global shift towards renewable energy, Middle Eastern countries have initiated diversification efforts to reduce their dependence on oil and adapt to changing market dynamics. There has been various Economics Diversification in the Middle East Nations and various Renewable Energy Investments contribute to sustainable developments and provide alternative sources of income beyond oil.
GLOBAL IMPLICATION
Competition for fossil fuel has been on an upsurge rise particularly in oil and natural gas which has cause global tension among the countries. Nations control over various resources, leading to conflict, alliances. Control over fossil fuel reserves have been done. The rise of renewable energy is reshaping traditional geopolitical contributions. There was an increase of Exploration of Renewable Energy's Role in shaping the traditional geopolitical power dynamics. Countries investing in it gain influence and major recognition too. Addressing the global energy showcases the international cooperation as well. There has been collaborative effort to develop and implement cleaner alternatives and renewable energy and carbon technologies. There has been a major impact on Climate Change of various countries as well.
In conclusion there has been shifts on the fossil fuel in the industry of reshaping the geopolitical landscape of various countries. The implication for global security are very significant. On one foot there has been shift to the renewable energy reduces dependences on fossil fuels over resources. There has been various energy innovation are likely to gain influence and the future of energy geopolitics is characterized by the traditional fossils and rising influence about it. It hereby becomes important to a notice and keep a note of the changes that has been caused by it herein.
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