http://transitionvoice.com/2013/08/how-oil-crisis-nearly-shut-down-europe-in-2000/
A little remembered (anywhere) story of what happened when the oil supply of some industrial European countries was briefly interrupted by their own citizens. The breathtaking speed with which the grocery stores emptied, the gas stations closed and the economy flat lined are instructive, and predictive. Too bad nobody knows the story.
The story begins on September 5, 2000, when some French fishermen, distressed by the threat to their livelihoods posed by the rapidly rising cost of fuel, decided to protest by blocking the English Channel. This cut off most of the oil imports to France and England. Soon farmers and truckers, similarly threatened by the price of fuel, joined the fishermen by blockading refineries and distribution centers throughout Europe.
Food stores experienced the same wave of panic buying, forcing supermarkets to close or impose rationing; Hospitals suspended all but emergency care and began to run out of blood and essential supplies.
What should be a cautionary tale taught to every grade schooler in every industrialized country has sunk into obscurity. Among its lessons, which need to be held close and acted upon today: One can push one’s citizens only so close to poverty and famine before they rise up. This applies to everyone. The effect of the first, least interruption of oil supply will be immediate, and will immediately metastasize in the form of panic buying, hoarding and swiftly exacerbated shortages; Collateral damage of the food supply will be equally devastating and immediate; Collapse of the entire economy is to be expected about two weeks after a substantial interruption of oil; The only reason the story of 9/5/2000 does not include mass starvation is that the interruption was voluntary and reversible.
A little remembered (anywhere) story of what happened when the oil supply of some industrial European countries was briefly interrupted by their own citizens. The breathtaking speed with which the grocery stores emptied, the gas stations closed and the economy flat lined are instructive, and predictive. Too bad nobody knows the story.
The story begins on September 5, 2000, when some French fishermen, distressed by the threat to their livelihoods posed by the rapidly rising cost of fuel, decided to protest by blocking the English Channel. This cut off most of the oil imports to France and England. Soon farmers and truckers, similarly threatened by the price of fuel, joined the fishermen by blockading refineries and distribution centers throughout Europe.
Food stores experienced the same wave of panic buying, forcing supermarkets to close or impose rationing; Hospitals suspended all but emergency care and began to run out of blood and essential supplies.
What should be a cautionary tale taught to every grade schooler in every industrialized country has sunk into obscurity. Among its lessons, which need to be held close and acted upon today: One can push one’s citizens only so close to poverty and famine before they rise up. This applies to everyone. The effect of the first, least interruption of oil supply will be immediate, and will immediately metastasize in the form of panic buying, hoarding and swiftly exacerbated shortages; Collateral damage of the food supply will be equally devastating and immediate; Collapse of the entire economy is to be expected about two weeks after a substantial interruption of oil; The only reason the story of 9/5/2000 does not include mass starvation is that the interruption was voluntary and reversible.
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