index

Crisis? What crisis?

Introduction

Are global oil supplies about to peak? Are they, in other words, about to reach their maximum and then go into decline?

No one knows how much is left, but humankind can't wait any longer before coming up with alternatives.

Look!

Here are 2 cartoons illustrating what the challenges facing the world are

and a fill-in-the-gap exercise for you to collect some key words.

Do you know your oil?

The petrol blockades may be over - for the time being - but the issue remains. Click on the icon to check how well you know your oil.

Going anywhere?

Two of America's largest airlines have filed for bankruptcy. Delta and North-West have been experiencing financial problems for a while and have been hit very hard by recent rises in the price of fuel.

Listen to some words related to this isssue and to a news report using this worksheet

Oil's Well That Ends Well .

What happens if the coming winter brings many days like this. That's what worry big companies who fear that gas supply may run out. Watch the video and use this worksheet

Recent worries about the price of petrol have shaken the world economy and revived fears about our dependence on oil. Watch the animation and use this worksheet.

A European advertising campaign and a film which relates an oil producer's efforts to everyday life by following the parallel activities of a woman and the firm's employees. Watch it and use this worksheet.

Before moving on to the final part check with this crossword some of the words you have learnt.

The oil debate

Has oil production peaked? Will prices rise again? How will the global economy be affected? Have you stopped using your car since petrol prices went up? Choose one of the two roles and argue your case.

You believe that it is just a matter for oil companies to find new oil fields and this present crisis will be over soon. Oil producers have been investing a lot of money on research and development to come up with alternate sources of energy.

You believe that oil production has peaked and that oil is a finite resource anyway. Opting for renewable sources of energy is definitely a possible solution for a cleaner world.

A scenario designed by Jean-Marc Gébelin

Last updated in October, 2007.