What do paint, laundry detergent, a plastic bottle, a polyester shirt, a tube of toothpaste, and a styrofoam cup have in common? They all contain oil. That “black gold” does so much more than power automobiles, lubricate engines, and heat our homes. Scientists can transform oil into many different chemicals which are used in many products we use every day. The plastic in the keyboard and mouse you might be using right now is part oil. Aside from water, oil, or more specifically petroleum—the oil drilled from beneath the Earth’s surface—might be the most important liquid on the planet.

So what would happen if access to oil suddenly became restricted? Look at the list above and think about how often you use a product made from oil. Imagine not having access to it. Imagine the cost of the fuel used to power a car or heat a home doubling, or tripling—if you can get it. Even things not made from oil would become scarcer and more expensive. Most goods in the United States are shipped via truck, which consumes plenty of now dramatically more dear fuel. Those costs would be passed on to you, the consumer.

Although there are other important fossil fuels and alternative energy sources, right now American society depends upon reliable and relatively inexpensive oil. Severely slowing down the flow of oil from around the world would create a crisis.