Most Americans Mistakenly Think U.S. Gets Most of Its Oil from the Middle East
..the United States. Have you heard? Computer scientist and data whiz Randy Olson dove into the UT Energy Poll data and noticed that the American public is pretty confused about where we get out energy.
By Sheril Kirshenbaum
This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
..the United States. Have you heard?
Computer scientist and data whiz Randy Olson dove into the UT Energy Poll data and noticed that the American public is pretty confused about where we get out energy. I can't say I'm surprised, but Randy highlights the need for raising energy literacy across the U.S.
He points out that while these are the top 10 foreign countries that supply oil to the U.S. (based on the latest EIA data):
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The general public seems to think things look more like this:
In other words, 3 out of 4 Americans think that the U.S. imports the majority of its oil from somewhere in the Middle East - which probably has something to do with decades of war in that region. Still, as Randy points out, oil from the Middle East comprises only a quarter of U.S. oil imports.
And perhaps, most surprising: 60% of the oil that Americans use is produced in the U.S.
Go read Randy's terrific blog for more detail and keep in mind that the U.S is now the world's largest oil producer. Really.
It’s Time to Stand Up for Science
If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.
If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.
