They are most definitely correct. If, right now, all oil stopped flowing, many people would die. Oil is needed for bulk transport across the seas, in the air, and over land. It is needed for agricultural production, and a decent amount of electrical generation. Adding to that, almost all war machinery requires it in rather large quantities.
Then, there's plastic. I hate the use of plastics for many things, but there are some things for which it is absolutely essential. For example, there are many medical uses of plastics that save lives and restore bodily function.
> For example, there are many medical uses of plastics that save lives and restore bodily function.
Plastics also are very useful for mundane health and safety type items, because they can be low cost, impermeable, and durable. Plastic medical equipment is often safer than glass because it can be thrown away instead of reused. It also makes the equipment more accessible in lower income areas.
Eliminating all oil is just as silly of an idea as using oil for everything. There are some things it does well and some things that we can do better a different way.
Cheap and abundant energy is strongly correlated with prosperity. Every barrel of oil produces roughly 1,700 kWh of thermal energy. In countries with low cost of oil production like Saudi Arabia and Iran, that means electricity generation for less than $0.01/kWh. The only viable technology to compete with oil and gas over the long term is Nuclear.
There's a surprising number of people who think 'Just Stop Oil' is a reasonable slogan, so maybe it does.
(If the slogan was 'Gradually Replace Oil', almost everybody would agree, there'd be no excuse to block roads, throw paint around though, and earn attention and social media cred, though)
They’re not wrong and it’s a timing thing. It isn’t as if this is a new message for them. But a big ad spend reinforcing their talking points during an election year is how they try to move the needle to protect their interests politically.
Then, there's plastic. I hate the use of plastics for many things, but there are some things for which it is absolutely essential. For example, there are many medical uses of plastics that save lives and restore bodily function.