Gresham College Lectures Oil, Decolonisation, and the Future of the Climate Emergency - Adam Hanieh
Aug 15, 2025
Adam Hanieh, a Professor of Political Economy at the University of Exeter, dives into the complex interplay between oil, decolonisation, and the climate crisis. He discusses how oil shaped national independence movements and the emergence of OPEC, revealing the deep-rooted connections between energy and global power dynamics. Hanieh challenges the narrative of a green transition, emphasizing the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels and the geopolitical tug-of-war surrounding oil resources, making a compelling case for understanding our current climate emergency.
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Upstream Versus Downstream Power
- The oil industry splits into upstream (extraction) and downstream (refining, shipping, products).
- Hanieh stresses control of both halves determines who benefits from oil wealth.
Oil Drove The Great Acceleration
- The mid-20th century 'Great Acceleration' came from rapid global uptake of oil, not replacement of coal.
- Hanieh shows energy additions increase total consumption and drive the climate emergency.
Standard Oil's Slippery Control
- Adam Hanieh recounts Standard Oil's control of pipelines, refineries and sales rather than underground reserves.
- Ida Tarbell's reporting showed vertical integration let Standard Oil dictate markets and bankrupt producers.
