Europe's 'appetizer' menu: Gas and oil dependency threatens civilization

Europe is navigating a complex energy landscape where fuel has become a weapon, potentially leading to significant disruptions. The immediate impact is seen in flight cancellations, restrictions, and reduced services at numerous European airports due to kerosene shortages. Experts anticipate that these effects could become noticeable at gasoline stations by autumn.

The situation's gravity extends beyond transportation. Europe's civilization is fundamentally based on gas and oil. Modern agriculture, a cornerstone of food security, relies heavily on natural gas for fertilizer production, particularly nitrogen-based fertilizers. The Haber-Bosch process, crucial for ammonia synthesis, requires methane to produce hydrogen, underscoring that fertilizer cannot be made solely from electricity.

This reliance on fossil fuels is not limited to agriculture. Packaging materials, PET bottles, plastic containers, toys, PVC pipes, synthetic rubber for tires, and synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are all derived from crude oil. Furthermore, everyday items such as toothpaste, detergents, lacquers, shampoos, and adhesives originate from oil, which provides not only fuel but also essential components like ethylene and propylene for plastics, and benzene and toluene for solvents and chemicals.

The article draws a parallel to the Bronze Age collapse around 3300 years ago, when disruptions in tin supply led to the downfall of powerful empires. Today, Europe's extensive dependence on oil and gas mirrors that historical vulnerability. The current crisis, therefore, is not solely about fuel prices but encompasses the broader implications for the chemical industry, fertilizer manufacturing, and plastics production, which have reacted sharply to the evolving situation.