There has long been the misconception that every Middle Eastern garden contains an oil pit. The label must have taken a long time to adhere to and is challenging to remove. It is inaccurate and unfair, like other labels. Therefore, it is necessary to shift to a new narrative beyond oil, not because the region has run out of energy sources like oil, but because this is more than just a collection of dependent nations.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations have achieved significant strides in diversification and have put their ambitious goals to lessen their reliance on oil into action, despite the complexity of the larger Middle East. However, achieving sustained post-oil generation will take a lot of time and consistent work. However, to follow that path, one must sincerely believe that this generation has been selected.
The precise beginning or timeframe of the post-oil generation is difficult to determine. Instead of being a singular event or moment, the transformation is gradual and ongoing. However, as worries about climate change, environmental sustainability, and the depletion of fossil fuel supplies mounted, the idea gained popularity. It can be linked to a number of achievements and advancements.
Discourse has altered due to advances in renewable energy technologies, global agreements and promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and growing awareness of diversifying one’s energy supply. Remember that while the move away from oil has gained steam over the past few decades, it is still a work in progress.
Transitional phases
Because different nations and areas go through different stages of change, it is an unfair designation. The policies, technological capabilities, and available resources influence how quickly things change. Oil still dominates the global energy mix even as we collectively transition to a post-oil age, and its use is anticipated to last for at least a few more decades.
Technology advances, regulatory frameworks, and societal objectives will be the most important elements in determining how we adapt to change and when it will occur. The dominant source of energy in the globe has only sometimes been oil. Before the Industrial Revolution, heating and cooking were frequently powered by wood, which later became a major energy source. Additionally, with the use of steam power in industry and transportation, we are here.
The narrative concludes that “This too shall pass,” meaning it will be better for future generations if we can quickly adjust to a new world. Furthermore, denying oil’s continued importance as the world’s main energy source in driving development and economic progress is impossible. The ILO estimates that the oil business contributes roughly 3% of the world’s GDP and that crude oil commerce will reach $640 billion in 2020, making it one of the most traded commodities globally. But like all good things, its use will end eventually, if not immediately.
A generation is a group of people born and raised around the same time and experiencing similar social, cultural, and historical events. The events, fads, and technology that influence a generation’s existence are frequently combined with the years when they were born. According to that description, most of us have experienced the oil windfall’s peaks and valleys over several generations.
Technically, a generation may last 20 to 30 years, but no set law specifies how long it lasts. Technology improvements, cultural upheavals, significant historical events, and societal changes throughout their formative years are other variables that distinguish generations. Attitudes, beliefs, values, and actions are shaped by experiences, which provide distinct generational features and identities.
The world is changing around younger generations, and they bring their viewpoints, ideas, and goals. To assess societal changes and comprehend broad patterns, generational classifications are useful. However, they should be viewed as generalizations rather than exact categories.
For instance, the “Oil Age” or “Age of Oil,” which started in the late 19th century, is credited with the rise in oil production. It signaled the growth of the petroleum industry and the widespread adoption of oil as a key energy source.
The early 20th century is the most significant and prosperous period for the oil business, notably during the 1920s and 1970s. Significant oil finds were made at this time. Significant oil firms were founded along with the quick increase in global oil production and consumption, and oil-producing nations gained significance. As they say, the rest is history. Things are trending in the right way because most oil-driven economies in the region are seeing a rapid increase in their non-oil component. It’s also time to transition from a superficial “mostly-oil” narrative to a “post-oil” discourse. When the area views itself differently, the rest of
