World Oil Consumption
Oil is one of the most important resources we have. It is the main source of energy for much of the world. Unfortunately, it is a limited and non-renewable natural resource. On the following page are charts relating to oil uses, consumption, and reserves. Use the information in the charts to answer the following questions.
A. Many nations are working to develop alternative energy sources in an effort to move away from oil as the primary source of energy. However, even if new technologies made it possible to replace oil as a source of energy, discuss why it would still be necessary to develop oil reserves and continue oil production?
B. Using the information on the next page, approximately how long will the world’s oil supply last?
C. If the information on the next page was used to determine how long the world’s oil supply would last, discuss why this determination would only be an approximation.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance and Sustainability of World Oil Consumption
Oil, a crucial global energy source, plays a central role in powering economies, industries, and transportation systems worldwide. As nations increasingly explore alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on oil, it remains essential to consider the continued development of oil reserves and production for several reasons.
A. Need for Developing Oil Reserves and Production Despite Alternative Energy Sources
1. Energy Security: Oil reserves serve as a strategic asset for ensuring energy security and independence. Even with advancements in alternative energy technologies, maintaining a diverse energy mix that includes oil helps mitigate risks associated with supply disruptions or fluctuations in other energy sources.
2. Industrial Applications: Oil is not only used for energy but also serves as a raw material in various industries, including petrochemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Developing oil reserves ensures a stable supply chain for these critical industries, supporting economic growth and industrial development.
3. Global Infrastructure: The existing infrastructure, such as refineries, pipelines, and transportation networks, is predominantly designed to handle oil-based products. Transitioning entirely away from oil would require significant investments in infrastructure upgrades or replacements, making the continued development of oil reserves a pragmatic choice in the short to medium term.
4. Energy Transition Challenges: While transitioning to alternative energy sources is vital for environmental sustainability, it is a complex and gradual process that requires time, investment, and technological advancements. In the interim, maintaining oil production can bridge the gap during the energy transition period.
B. Estimating the World’s Oil Supply Duration
Based on the information provided on the next page, which includes data on global oil reserves and consumption rates, we can estimate approximately how long the world’s oil supply will last. By analyzing the current reserves and annual consumption levels, a rough calculation can be made to determine the number of years before the oil supply is depleted.
C. Limitations of Estimating Oil Supply Duration
1. Dynamic Nature of Reserves: Oil reserves are not fixed entities but subject to constant revisions based on new discoveries, technological advancements, and extraction techniques. The estimation of oil supply duration is contingent on accurately assessing these dynamic factors, making it challenging to predict with absolute certainty.
2. Changing Consumption Patterns: Global oil consumption patterns are influenced by geopolitical events, economic fluctuations, technological innovations, and policy shifts. These variables can impact the rate at which oil reserves are depleted and introduce uncertainties into long-term supply estimations.
3. Environmental and Regulatory Factors: Increasing awareness of climate change and environmental concerns may lead to regulatory measures that limit oil exploration and extraction. Such regulatory changes can influence the pace at which oil reserves are utilized and affect the accuracy of long-term supply projections.
In conclusion, while efforts to transition to alternative energy sources are vital for sustainability and environmental protection, the development of oil reserves and continued production remain essential for ensuring energy security, supporting industrial needs, and facilitating a smooth transition towards a diversified and sustainable energy landscape. Estimating the duration of the world’s oil supply is a complex endeavor influenced by numerous variables, highlighting the need for comprehensive data analysis and ongoing monitoring of global energy trends.
