Are most Americans aware that fuel (gasoline and diesel) in most European countries has been selling for around $5/gal for a decade? My wife went to Italy last year and most people don't even own lawn mowers (they cut grass with a scythe at the estate where she stayed) because gasoline has been so expensive. Try that in suburban America.

Both increased worldwide demand increases and the lose of the value of the dollar are making oil more expensive.

The key to the future is non air polluting sources of electrical energy. From wind and solar to nuclear power (we're about maxed out on hydro-electric capacity) are the real keys to the future.