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Use of fossil ('mineral') oils usually results in the ultimate
production of carbon dioxide which ends up in the atmosphere.
The only effective means of depleting the atmosphere of carbon dioxide
is by photobio-synthesis of sugars (and via bio-chemical pathways within
living organisms to other complex organic substances, including fats and
oils). When the supplies of mineral oils in the world have been
depleted to the point where it it would be uneconomic to try and extract
more, perhaps the salvation of the Human species will come to rely upon
oils derived a) from uni-plast micro-organisms like yeasts, and b)
essences expressed from renewable resource higher plants ('essential'
oils). The energy for both syntheses comes, of course, from the Sun
(provided this source is not blocked by thick cloud of whatever earthly
origin and continues to wander through the Milky Way free from celestial
collision with some other body, which would be the end of everything!).
The technology probably already exists, or could be adapted from known
technology, whereby sufficient oils for lubrication purposes could be
produced to satisfy world needs! Whether sufficient oil for fuel
purposes could ever be produced this way may be debatable, but at least
technology has already come up with a variety of renewable and
environmentally friendly resources which could keep humanity going until
some genius comes up with a better way of generating power. Perhaps we
should be looking with more interest at the living organisms which are
independent of direct sunlight! I refer to the bathysperic bacteria and
other deep-sea organisms of the volcanic 'smokers' of the mid-Atlantic
ridges.
Keith Messent, Skipton, UK