​On Saturday, 10 automated drones conducted an attack on Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq plant in Buqyaq and the Khurais oil field. Saudi Aramco is the state owned oil company of Saudi Arabia, and the largest in the world. The Abqaiq plant is considered the largest plant in the world. Initial reports claim the attacks originated from Yemen and Iran may have been involved.
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This is a significant event for oil markets, resulting in a 19% increase in Brent crude oil when markets opened on Monday. 

Events like this highlight the lack of control many countries have in terms of energy supply and pricing. Growth in renewable energy and battery storage help, as does the Electric Vehicle industry.

A reduction in vehicle tail pipe emissions and use of oil are mostly commonly linked to sustainability and air quality. Important concerns, but energy security and stability are often missed in those conversations. Another important note, they are finite resources. There is only so much, and when it’s gone it’s gone.

An EV driver is not affected by events like this. They simply plug their vehicle in at home each night, or at work each day and pay standard electricity rates. As more clean energy like hydro, wind and solar are used along with battery storage, the electric grid continues to get cleaner every day.  
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More EVs + More Renewables + Battery Storage =
Cleaner Air, Cheaper Energy and Little To No Impact On Pricing From Events 
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Think they’re too expensive? Used EVs or Plug In Hybrids can be purchased for as low as $5k-$15k. With more low cost EVs entering the market there are even more options. 

It’s been all over the news – U.S. announced it will no longer exempt countries from its oil sanctions against Iran.

This is in addition to the sanctions imposed earlier this year which significantly reduced Iran’s production.

When there is a disruption, or potential disruption to oil supply, prices change. You've probably noticed increased prices at the gas pump this week. Following these announcements, U.S. oil producers showed increases in production, which then causes prices to begin declining.

​The price of crude oil is largely out of our control and is certainly volatile. 

Events like this strengthen the case for a wider shift away from internal combustion engines and hydrocarbons in favor of electric transportation and renewable energy.

When thinking about EVs, the first that comes to mind is probably Tesla. The industry also includes electric buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, boats and construction equipment. Anything that runs on gasoline or diesel can be replaced by battery electric vehicles.

This transition is happening. As EV adoption increases, renewable energy generation like wind, solar and hydro grow with it, as does the need for energy storage (batteries)

​This does not mean all fossil fuel production and usage should end tomorrow and renewables and EVs will take over. We certainly need energy to power our world today.

So, why are sanctions against Iran good for the environment? Because volatile oil prices make the shift to electric transportation and renewable energy even easier. Renewable energy generated in the United States, maintained by U.S. workers and used to power our transportation needs is not only critical for the environment, but necessary for our national interests.

​EVs, renewable energy and battery storage will continue to grow in tandem, build a cleaner future, and providing greater control over domestic energy needs. 

 You may recall a children’s cartoon in the early 90’s called Captain Planet and the Planeteers. For those who don’t, it was an eco-themed cartoon featuring important topics including recycling, overconsumption, and pollution. Each episode had an important message. The Planeteers had solar powered vehicles with battery storage like the eco-cycle. Each episode ended with Captain Planet saying “The Power is Yours.”
The issues of sustainability and renewable energy are not new. They were also not new when this children’s cartoon came out. Yet as we begin year 2019, it seems as though a large number of people still do not seem to understand its importance. Climate Change is an issue. Pollution is an issue, as is deforestation, declining animal populations, filling our planet and oceans with plastic and the burning of fossil fuels for energy.
My question is, what seems to be holding us back? If there is a better way of doing something, why aren’t we doing it?
We are moving in the right direction, and 2019 is going to be an exciting year but we have not had the progress needed since we first began studying climate change and greenhouse gases  in the 1800’s, modern research which began in the 1970’s and since the release of a children’s cartoon in the 90’s.
Technology is increasing every day and is already able to solve many of these problems. We have biodegradable packaging as plastic alternatives, renewable energy, electric transportation and much more.
With just transportation, we are seeing significant innovation in electric buses, cars and bikes. Battery technology is improving and lithium alternatives are being tested. Ranges are getting longer and charge times are becoming shorter. Significant investments in hydrogen are showing there are multiple ways to replace fossil fuels.
Protecting our planet, reducing climate change and building a more sustainable future can and will happen. It’s happening now and is too important to be a partisan issue in Government. We all lose each day progress is slowed.
Significant capital and very smart people are working hard to solve these problems. I think we should celebrate that. Perhaps it’s an education and outreach campaign, or curriculum in schools. Maybe it’s a TV series showing the important work being done, or a cool cartoon showing why this is so important for us all.