Responding to the CFR.org Online Debate, Will Opening Restricted Federal Lands and Waters in the United States Ease Oil Prices?, reader Jackson Park writes: 

Any economic order based on competition to consume resources is inherently flawed because resources are limited on Earth. World population growth compounds this issue. For example, energy demand for oil has increased now that China and India are increasing their oil imports. Leasing offshore and arctic oil reserves will do little to change the status quo. I would agree to lease these lands if the oil companies would agree to pay off the U.S. National Debt as payment. Why should the U.S. government settle for anything less?

The energy situation is compounded by the environmental consequences of burning fossil fuels. Technology can alleviate this somewhat.

I think we’re headed for a global catastrophe unless we change the status quo. The energy crisis is a symptom of a larger issue–the depletion of resources. Oil is a nonrenewable resource. It seems like we’re in a race to see how fast we can burn it all up. Offshore and arctic drilling will do little to lower the price at the pump for American consumers.

–Jackson A. Park