The scramble to control energy and mineral resources in 2012 will have global political and social impacts as well as play a role in US presidential elections Will oil companies ramp up their efforts to fight recently-passed US and international transparency laws? Will we see increasing social movements against oil, gas and mining projects in the United States and abroad? As oil, gas and mining companies continue moving into remote parts of the world, what will this mean for US foreign policy, consumers and countries? Lastly, will mining and oil companies successfully use free trade agreements to over-ride citizens, governments and the environment?