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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad?

    With twice the oil and three times the natural gas previously estimated — and plenty of coal -- in just a few years the US could produce more fuel than it burns. But America's "energy independence" could lead to economic upheaval in countries that depend on energy exports, which could spell big trouble for global stability.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    With twice the oil and three times the natural gas previously estimated — and plenty of coal -- in just a few years the US could produce more fuel than it burns. But America's "energy independence" could lead to economic upheaval in countries that depend on energy exports, which could spell big trouble for global stability. Beyond that, while oil and natural gas burn cleaner than coal, they're still fossil fuels and, with the latest technology, they might never run out. Would that kill economic incentives for alternative energy sources and the political will to deal with climate change before it's too late?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Global Warming in a World of Endless Oil, Gas and Coal
    1. 0:00Jobs Added, Stocks Up but Economy's Just Keeping Pace
    2. 8:10'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad?You’re reading this
    3. 43:02NRA Meeting Gets Underway amid Public Backlash
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Evan George

      Director of Content, News

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Charles Mann

      The Atlantic

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michael A. Levi

      Council on Foreign Relations

    • KCRW placeholder

      Philip Verleger

      PKVerleger

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Global Warming in a World of Endless Oil, Gas and Coal
    1. 0:00Jobs Added, Stocks Up but Economy's Just Keeping Pace
    2. 8:10'Energy Independence:' Good News or Bad?You’re reading this
    3. 43:02NRA Meeting Gets Underway amid Public Backlash
    Back to To the Point