Ok, lets tackle this subject of global warming then the technology windfall.
Global warming could be happening. When we take one hundred fifty million years of condensed sunshine (oil) and bring it out into the present day (last 100 years) we do have a buildup of carbon dioxide (by product of energy release). The super short release time is changing the environment - it is as simple as that. The government is just trying to contain the big problems (by weather manipulation) for the (rich) people/corporations here in America. Otherwise it could be floods and famine for a while. This manipulation also benefits the little guy too - if your home is lost then you have no job, don't pay taxes and have a big claim for your (profit motivated) insurance company. There is another side to the double edged sword of oil and that is called "peak oil". We (the people) used most all the cheap "easy to get" oil that we could get. Oil will cost more and more and eventually many won't be able to get it. This web site can explain it in much better detail then I could here in the forum.
www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.netRemember the government is the biggest energy user and will be the biggest loser in this game. If "they" want to enslave you then "they" will have to stay alive.
As for the technology windfall. If we did not have oil we would not have any technology at all. With oil we have computers (NASA spinoff -circuit chip), GPS (military), internet (military or Al Gore), solar panels (Bell labs, NASA), Atom bomb (Made in USA), ipod (Apple co.), ultra capacitors, etc. The list goes on and on but you get the point - you can put your hands on anything you can "afford". As for "energy independence technology" They are all derivatives of oil. But you can heat your home with solar hot air, heat water with solar hot water and have plenty of electricity. Most people just do not want to invest in systems that they figure they have now. For 9 to 12 cents you can get a whole kilowatt hour of electricity and by simply turning the faucet get all the hot water from natural gas you want. You are a slave if you let "them" do it for you - you are independent if you "do it your self". Solar is an investment (one that pays better then the stock market) you make once. The government will even subsidise your solar energy purchase.
I believe that I may be 50% independent. I have 750 Watts of solar electric panels up north and 320 Watts at home south. I have 550 ferads of super caps @3-4.6 volts to run 2 and 3 battery (AAA, AA, C, D) devices like my electric shaver (no NI-CD). I have food to last a while (no "guns for food" gov offer) plus seeds for more. I have a wood fireplace up north. I have a plan.
I lack solar hot air & water up north. Home south is too close to Detroit and is to be abandoned at 1-1.5 years time.
Oil is not artificially high, it is a simple effect of demand and supply. They may control oil but you can get away from oil (think of getting out from the mob - it isn't easy but it has been done).