Energy as It Relates to Security, the Environment and Marine Transportation - Thesis Proposal Example

Michael Pelliccio TMGT 9100-01 Capstone James Drogan 12 Introduction Oil and energy sources can be considered as one of the most important resources to enhance the appeal and significance of any economy across the world. Oil and energy sources can be considered as vital natural resources in fueling the prospects and progress of any economy (Cordsman, 2006). Oil and energy sources are required to maintain the existing infrastructure of economies in a systematic manner. The research aims to ascertain the role of energy as it relates to security; the environment and marine transportation. There is no doubt that there is a close association between energy as security and security of nations across the world. Economies with sufficient energy and oil resources tend to flourish more along with strengthening the entire infrastructure in a significant manner. In order to be strong and self sufficient in the global and social environment; it is important to have oil and energy resources marking the growth and development of economies. Energy security is often associated with the national security in the context of availability of oil and natural resources for the consumption purpose. Moreover, modern economies across the globe tend to rely more on energy resources to facilitate the growth and development of manufacturing units. An uneven supply of energy and oil can lead to serious issues pertaining to supply of goods and services among people (Yergin, 2011) It can be believed that the survival of nations is largely dependent on the availability of energy sources and resources as these can affect the growth and development either in a positive or negative manner. As oil and energy resources help in strengthening the security of nations, it becomes important to maintain the balance between demand and supply. Any sort of shortage can hinder the national growth and development along with posing security threats that can be vulnerable in the competitive global environment. The next part of the discussion presents the aims and objectives of the research along with overall significance and importance in the context of the research being undertaken. 1.1: Research Aim The research aims to investigate the role of energy as it relates to security in the context of the environment and marine transportation. The research also aims to underpin the role of oil and energy resources in strengthening the security of nations by securing and strengthening the environment and marine transportation. In order to accomplish the stated research aim, the researcher has formulated few research objectives that will further help in deriving key outcomes in the context of the research topic. The research objectives are as follow: 1.2: Research Objectives The research objectives are as follow: To ascertain the role and importance of energy in the success of economies To underpin reasons behind the security of energy and marine transport To explore ways through which security can be ensured for energy and marine transport To investigate the impact of security of energy and marine transport in the economic progress of nations 1.3: Research Questions The researcher also designed few research questions in the line of the purposed research aim and objectives. The research questions are as follow: 1. Why energy sources and resources are important for the success and growth of economies? 2. Why security is important for energy and marine transport? 3. How security measures can be taken and implemented to ensure the security of energy and marine transport 4. How the economic progress of nations is dependent on energy security 1.4: Rationale for the Study Energy security has been widely associated with national securities across the world and availability of cheap and affordable energy resources helps in proper functioning of economies. Renewable sources of energy are widely present and distributed in different geographical areas but maintaining the balance between the demand and supply of energy resources is a challenging task. The rationale for the study is based on the notion modern world relying energy supply to fuel the growth and development of almost every sector and industry. Energy is required in security, transportation, communication and health delivering system and cannot be ignored (Parthemore, 2010) Energy sources can be termed as the leading factors behind assuring national security to almost every economy in the world. Threats to energy security can lead to political instability, manipulation in energy supplies, attack on supply infrastructure along with natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Energy security has emerged as one of the leading challenges for developed and developing economies as any sort of inequality may lead to competition and thus affecting the overall industrialization process. With energy security becoming a major concern for many economies, the research topic holds great relevance in terms of underpinning the worth and importance of energy sources and resources in ensuring national security in the context of the environment and marine transportation (Yergin, 2011) Energy security can be enhanced through a number of ways including less dependency on imported sources of energy along with taking measures to conserve energy and depending more on renewable sources of energy. The recent oil crisis that led to an increase in the prices of oil became a security threat for many nations relying high on imports of oil and other energy sources. Thus, it can be believed that the research has a robust rationale in the form of exploring and investigating the importance and role of energy as a form of national security along with leading to robust growth and development. 1.5: Scope of the Study The research has a broader scope in terms of investigating the role and importance of energy resources in strengthening the security of nations in the context of the environment and marine transportation. The switch of nations from renewable sources of energy to more modern resources of energy led the foundation for industrialization across the globe. The facts can be traced way back during the time of the First World War, when Winston Churchill shifted the power source of British Navy Ships from coal to oil. The switch meant heavy relying on oil from then Persia and least dependency on coal from Wales. So, there was a shift from secured to unsecured form of energy resources that certainly fuelled and made the fleet faster in those times. However, the same approach was carried forward by many nations in order to fuel their respective economies along with facilitating growth and development in a well thought manner. However, the dilemma over the availability of energy resources in different nations raised the importance of imports and exports (Luft, Korin, 2003) With developing economies being dependent on developed economies having sufficient energy resources; there has been a sense of dependency that strongly relies on the relationship being shared by nations. At the same time, this has raised concerns over the security issue considering countries having sufficient energy resources are self dependent with a flourishing economy competing with countries dependent on others for energy resources to strengthen their political, social and business environment. The rapid evolution of the global energy trade and integration of major economies into the world market has raised the bar of competition along with raising concerns over supply chain vulnerabilities and terrorism. Overall, it can be said that the study has a broader scope to cover the real meaning of energy security and its importance in the growth and development of world economies. The next part of the discussion presents an understanding over the outline of the research that will further help in understanding the approach of the researcher. 1.6: Outline of the Research Introduction This part includes an understanding over the research topic along with its aim, objectives and questions. This part also states the rationale and scope of the study in a succinct manner. Literature Review This part will present intersection of energy and marine transportation by restricting the discussion to four purposed research objectives. A critical analysis will be conducted to accomplish the research aim in a logical manner. Research Methodology This part of the discussion will present an understanding over the elements of the methodology in the form of ascertaining the research philosophy, research approach, data collection methods, ethical issues and strengths and limitations of the methodology. Findings and Analysis This part of the discussion will present findings and analysis based on the understanding of the literature review along with including other secondary sources in the line of the research objectives. This will further help in deriving key outcomes and results of the study Conclusions and Recommendations This part will present conclusions and recommendations based on the underpinning and analysis of the literature. This will further help in concluding the entire research initiative by stating key findings in the form of conclusions. Bibliography Bibliography is the list of references to be used in the research process. The work of academicians and researchers will be well cited in this part. 1.7: Summary The introduction part of the research presented an understanding over the research topic along with highlighting the proposed research aim, objectives and questions in a clear manner. The rationale for the study clearly stated the fundamental reasons and logics behind underpinning the research topic and the scope of the research was well identified by associating the research topic at the macro level including political, social and business issues. The next part of the discussion presents an underpinning of the literature based on energy security in the context of the environment and marine transportation. Work Cited Cordsman, A. "Global Oil Security". Center for Strategic and International Studies.2006. Print Luft, G; Korin, A. "Terrors Next Target". Journal of International Security Affairs. 2003 Parthemore, C. "Fueling the Force: Preparing the Department of Defense for a Post-Petroleum Era". New York: Center for New American Security. 2010. Print Yergin, Daniel. “THE QUEST, Security, and the remaking of the Modern World”. New York: Penguin Press, 2011. Print Read More