Environmental Scarcities

Do environmental scarcities undermine international security? If so, how? Please provide at least one example. If you were in charge of developing U.S. policies how would you reconcile the two problems?

Environmental scarcities, such as oil (a debatable point, but not the topic of this post, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4542853/, March 16, 2008, & http://www.govspot.com/issues/anwr.htm , May 2008), have certainly had a large impact on our dependency on the Middle East. Most of our (outside) security problems originate from this area. Were we able to depend solely on U.S. drilled oil, we would be able to stop associations with countries in the Middle East.

Were I in charge, I would strongly encourage with money and attitude a science revolution akin to one when electricity was first invented. I would encourage the smaller automobile, the more efficient appliance, the 'offgrid' families would receive the highest tax breaks. I would work to get small towns to build their own 'wind' farms and 'solar power' collection sites, and to sell this power to the consumers. I would reward electric and hybrid cars usership annually. And most of all, I would release all noncompetition agreements between power companies.
(I want to strongly say that this next paragraph should not indicate that I think a nontrade situation is desirable overall. I do, however, think think that our economic dependence on foreign oil will prohibit us from evaluating our problems with the Middle East objectively.)
I do not think that developing U.S. drilling sites is the answer. I'm in the market for a new car. I want one that seats at least seven (the number of children plus adults that are in my immediate family) and that gets at least 30 MPH in town and 40 on the highway. I know it is possible because with our Hybrid Toyota, we get between 45 and 55 MPH out of every tank, and we easily seat five in that vehicle. That car does not yet exist, but it should all the technology is there. I view the U.S. dependence on foreign oil much like this situation. The technology is all there, no body has put it together in a package and given it a name yet. If I were in charge, I would merely put it all together and give it a name.

Thank you,
Janet Johnson