A crisis at sea, and a responsibility at home: Tackling energy shocks with resilience

The Strait of Hormuz may lie thousands of kilometres away from India’s coastline, but its importance is felt in every Indian household at the fuel pump, in the kitchen, and even in the price of daily essentials.

Today, as global tensions threaten this narrow passage through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows, India stands at a familiar crossroads.

We have faced oil shocks before in the 1970s, during the Gulf Wars, and more recently during geopolitical disruptions.

The question is not whether such a crisis will affect us, but the real question is, have we learnt enough from the past to respond differently this time?

India imports close to 88% of its crude oil. This is not just a statistic; it is a structural reality. It means that every fluctuation in global supply, every blockade, every conflict, quietly enters our economy.

But beneath this dependence lies another truth, one that is less discussed.

Are we actually dependent, or are we wasteful?

Walk through any city: Lights left on in empty rooms. Air conditioners are running at unnecessarily low temperatures. Vehicles idling in traffic, engines on. Short distances are covered by cars instead of walking.

These are not isolated behaviours. They are patterns. When everything is streamlined, they go unnoticed.

But when crises arise, they become costly nationally, not just individually.

It is easy to assume that energy security is the government’s responsibility, handled through policies, reserves, and international agreements. But this view is incomplete.

Energy consumption is decentralised. It happens in millions of homes, vehicles, and workplaces. This means that energy saving also represents decentralised power.

Every unit of electricity saved and every litre of fuel conserved contributes to lower national import demand.

Lower national import demand. Reduced pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Greater stability in prices. Better availability of fuel for critical sectors like agriculture and transport.

Simply put, when citizens conserve energy, the nation experiences relief. What we often fail to understand is that there is a tendency to underestimate the impact of small actions.

“What difference does one household make?”

But consider this:

If one crore households reduce just one unit of electricity per day, that is 10 million units saved daily.

Over a month, this translates into energy that would otherwise require significant fuel imports.

This is not a symbolic change. This is a measurable economic impact.

History offers us a clear lesson. In previous energy crises, we focused on short-term fixes: Subsidies to soften the blow. Temporary tax reductions. Emergency imports

While necessary, these were reactive measures. They did not address the root issue, that is, our consumption patterns.

We returned to old habits once the crisis passed. That is the mistake we must not repeat.

A crisis, if understood correctly, is not just a disruption.

It is an opportunity to correct behaviour; the Prime Minister has frequently expressed the philosophy of identifying opportunities within crisis situations.

We often associate nation-building with large infrastructure, economic reforms, or technological advancements. But there is another dimension, quiet, consistent, and deeply powerful.

It is the discipline of citizens. Energy conservation transcends the simple act of lowering expenses; it encompasses several critical dimensions: The imperative of conserving finite national resources

The necessity of promoting fair distribution. The importance of anticipating and preparing for future uncertainties.

This approach embodies a perspective wherein individuals perceive themselves as active contributors to national advancement, rather than passive recipients of benefits.

What practical and immediate actions can be taken?

The steps are very simple, but their impact is great. Switch off appliances when not in use. Set air conditioners at moderate temperatures. Prefer public transport, carpooling, or walking when possible. Avoid unnecessary fuel and electricity consumption. Use energy-efficient appliances.

These actions do not demand sacrifice. They demand awareness.

India does not lack resources or resilience. What it often lacks is collective behavioural change at the right time, particularly in response to emerging global challenges and crises that require immediate action.

The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a reminder, not just of our vulnerabilities, but of our responsibilities.

We cannot control global conflicts. But we can control how we respond to them.

If history has taught us anything, it is that crises will inevitably arise.

But nations that learn, adapt, and discipline themselves emerge stronger.

Energy saving, at this moment, is not a minor adjustment. It is a quiet act of nation-building, as it fosters resilience, promotes sustainable practices, and encourages collective responsibility among citizens.

And perhaps, this time, India must choose not just to endure the crisis, but to grow wiser because of it.