Blowout

By reading this koob, you will learn about the negative impact the oil and gas industry has had on democracy, the environment, and the global economy.

You will also learn:

• That the oil and gas industry is the most lucrative in human history

• Why oil and gas firms face little governmental oversight

• That the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the worst in American history

• How Russian oligarchs have manipulated crown corporations to enrich themselves and their allies

• Why Vladimir Putin interfered in the 2016 Presidential elections

The burning of fossil fuels for energy is a key cause of the development of human civilization. This incredible energy source has allowed for expansive economic growth and development and has helped elevate the living standards for millions.

At the same time, this industry’s power has corroded political institutions the world over and driven part of the global chaos and democratic crises that we are currently experiencing. The wealth produced by these resources has flowed to the top, furthering an already widening inequality gap. In addition, the environmental side effects of excavating these resources has been catastrophic. Why, then, do governments still support the oil and gas industry?