June 14, 2011

Impact of petroleum on Farming Life in Sarawak

In the 70's English teachers used to give an essay topic " Imagine a world without petroleum....." and students would give very creative answers to the delight of their teachers. I remember that topic well. And in retrospect at that time no one would have predicted today's price of petrol to be so high or that there would be a Cartel...or even fuel subsidies...These three common 21st century elements were not thought of although some businessmen were already hinting of  other possibilities.

I have several photos below to remind friends what would happen if there was shortage of petroleum in rural Sarawak......

These fisherman's boats would be a thing of the past...and remain stuck in the mud until they rot.


Easy mobile ice cream sellers would stop coming to give joy to the rural children!!



Sand extraction would come to a standstill...other modes of transport would stop too....
These mesauring containers would become artifacts in a museum

What other points would you write on?

6 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

One day, says Mr. Johnson there won't be any more tin cans. He influenced me so much that I am a recycler.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

May be some people do jump the ferry. Did you hear about this. My mum says some people think they committed suicide.

In the river where I was born, where ocean going ships could dock 90 miles upstream.

We had a ferry, people were lax, we were supposed to get out of the car before Dad drove on to the ferry, some people didn't bother.

One dusk, a family drove to the ramp just as the ferry was sailing. The man drove into the river, when people tried in vain, a whole family was drowned.

Anonymous said...

the world would become so much better if there is no petroleum. petroleum is the main source of pollution and killer of the environment. imagine all those petrochemical products, exhaust gas produced by the cars and trucks,...

Ensurai said...

Ann...I truly believe that teachers who have taught the art of writing have at one time or another deeply impacted their students. I can remember almost every essay I wrote in class!!
I did defend one essay and my face turned pale when that particular teacher did not like my writing. He gave the prize(highest mark) to one student who (we all knew it) copied from a model essay book. The word "plagiarise" was not in our vocabulary then. Mr. Johnson was truly remarkable in his kind and gentle ways.

Ensurai said...

Ann...I think there were lots of fights in cars before accidents happened...

It is a pity when husbands and wives fight children end up as victims too. Pitiful.

Ensurai said...

Yes..petroleum and other natural resources are also the cause of wars!!

Oil spills..oil leaks...how damaging to the environment!!

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