KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND PRODUCTION

ENGINEERING
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN MECHANICAL AND
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
TMME 4207: ENERGY UTILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
LECTURER: MR MUGGAGA GAD REUBEN
ASSIGNMENT ONE
DONE BY
NAME REGISTRATION NUMBER
ANDERSON JACQUES MIRACLE 19/U/EMD/038/GV

NUWARINDA MICHEAL 19/U/EME/17716/PE

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 20/09/2023

 1. Discuss the events that led up to the 1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis had multiple causes, many of which were rooted in geopolitical tensions and
economic factors(Wesseling, 2021). The following are the primary causes of the crisis:

The Six-Day War of 1967: The Arab-Israeli Six-Day War in 1967 heightened tensions in the
Middle East. Several OPEC member nations, including Saudi Arabia and Iraq, expressed their
displeasure with Western support for Israel during the conflict. This sparked more conflicts that
later led to another war in 1973 that contributed to the oil crisis.

The outbreak of the Yom Kippur War: The immediate trigger for the oil crisis was the outbreak
of the Yom Kippur War on October 6, 1973, in which Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. This war
heightened tensions in the Middle East and prompted oil-producing Arab nations to take retaliatory
action against Western countries that supported Israel.

OPEC's Growing Influence: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
had been formed in 1960, and by the early 1970s, it had gained significant influence in the global
oil market. OPEC member countries, particularly those in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia,
Iran, Iraq, sought to exert more control over their oil resources and pricing policies thus causing
the 1973 oil crisis.

Western Support for Israel: Arab nations in OPEC were angered by the United States and other
Western nations providing military and economic support to Israel during the Yom Kippur War.
They saw this support as favoring Israel over their interests.

Oil Price Wars: In the years leading up to the crisis, there had been fierce competition among oil-
producing countries to maintain their share of the global oil market. This led to a decline in oil
prices, which was detrimental to the revenues of oil-exporting nations.

In a nutshell the 1973 oil crisis marked a turning point in global energy politics and had lasting
effects on energy policies, including a greater emphasis on energy conservation, the search for
alternative energy sources, and efforts to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern oil(Rüdiger, 2014).
It also highlighted the geopolitical influence of oil-producing nations and their ability to use oil as
a weapon in international conflicts(Cohen, 2021).
 2. Describe any six aspects that show evidence of the changing climatic conditions.
The evidence of changing climatic conditions in Uganda can be observed through various aspects,
including temperature patterns, precipitation levels, extreme weather events, and ecological
changes(Mayanja et al., 2020). The following are the aspects that demonstrate the evidence of
changing climatic conditions in the Country.

Temperature Trends: Rising temperatures are a prominent indicator of climate change. In

Uganda, there has been a documented increase in average temperatures over the years. This is
observed through a higher frequency of hot days and warm nights. Temperature rise can have
various impacts, including heat stress on agriculture, increased evaporation rates, and potential
changes in disease patterns.

Changing Rainfall Patterns: Uganda's rainfall patterns are shifting, with changes in the timing,
distribution, and intensity of rainfall. There is evidence of altered rainfall seasons, such as delayed
onset or early cessation of rains. This variability in rainfall can affect crop production, water
availability, and lead to water scarcity in some regions.

Increased Frequency of Droughts: Uganda has experienced an increase in the frequency and
severity of drought events in various areas such as Karamoja. Prolonged droughts can have
devastating effects on agriculture, livestock, and water resources.

Rising Lake Levels and Flooding: Some regions of Uganda have witnessed rising lake levels,
particularly Lake Victoria. Increased rainfall and changes in hydrology contribute to this
phenomenon. Rising lake levels can result in flooding of lakeside communities, displacement of
populations, and damage to infrastructure.

Glacial Retreat on Rwenzori Mountains: The Rwenzori Mountains is a home to glaciers as it is

one of the snowcapped mountains in the country. These glaciers have been retreating at an
accelerated rate due to rising temperatures. Glacial retreat can have downstream impacts on water
availability for agriculture, hydropower generation, and ecosystem health.
Shifts in Agricultural Seasons: Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are influencing the
suitability of different crops and cropping seasons. Farmers are experiencing challenges in
adapting to the shifting agricultural seasons. Some areas may become less suitable for traditional
crops, necessitating changes in farming practices and the introduction of climate-resilient crop
varieties.

In conclusion, climate change is a complex and interconnected phenomenon, and its impacts can
vary by region within Uganda. These changes in climatic conditions underscore the need for
climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce the vulnerability of communities and
ecosystems to the challenges posed by a changing climate.

References
Cohen, J. (2021). The First Oil Shock? Nixon, Congress, and the 1973 Petroleum Crisis. Journal
of the Middle East and Africa, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/21520844.2021.1886501
Mayanja, M. N., Rubaire-Akiiki, C., Morton, J., & Kabasa, J. D. (2020). Pastoral community
coping and adaptation strategies to manage household food insecurity consequent to climatic
hazards in the cattle corridor of Uganda. Climate and Development, 12(2).
https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2019.1605283
Rüdiger, M. (2014). The 1973 oil crisis and the designing of a Danish energy policy. Historical
Social Research, 39(4). https://doi.org/10.12759/hsr.39.2014.4.94-112
Wesseling, L. (2021). The 1973 Oil Crisis. In Fuelling the War.
https://doi.org/10.5040/9780755620883.ch-020