Final answer:
Consumerism increases oil consumption through the transportation of nonessential goods, which necessitates oil for various stages including production and delivery. Efforts like the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and alternative energy programs aim to manage oil dependence, but challenges persist due to the global economy's reliance on oil.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another way in which consumerism directly increases a country's oil consumption is through the expansion of transportation systems to deliver nonessential goods. These goods require oil and other fossil fuels for their production, packaging, marketing, and shipping processes. The modern lifestyle in consumer nations has led to an accustomed abundance, often involving purchases that are not essential yet they still contribute to the overall consumption of oil. This trend is evident not just in private consumer behavior but also in the industrial and urban development of countries like India, which is increasing its demand for energy and thereby oil from sources such as OPEC.
Efforts to manage this dependence on oil include having a strategic reserve, like the Strategic Petroleum Reserve started in 1977 in the United States, and seeking out alternatives to oil. Additionally, economic tools such as raising taxes on oil can be employed to discourage its use. However, despite such measures, the global economy's vulnerability due to its dependence on oil, including imported oil, remains a major challenge.