Actually, being an economist, the reason of the inflated gas prices is simple.
Human Greed
Alguem, I agree with some of what you say but not all of it. As an economist, I’m sure you will agree that in the long term it is Supply and Demand that dictate the price of a commodity. Sure, speculation is part of what is causing the short term increase in the petroleum price. However in the long run demand will increase (for the reasons you mentioned) but the supply will be drastically reduced. This is because the world’s oil fields have peaked or will peak shortly. Once an oil filed peaks you can look for a 3% to 7% annual decline in oil production. It is the gap in supply and demand that is wreaking havoc on the world economy including food production.
Currently the world demand for petroleum and natural gas is 87 million barrels a day and the supply is around 85 million barrels a day. In about 10 years world production will be about half of what it is now and China alone (at current pace of growth) will be needing 85 million barrels a day, All of this is a formula for disaster resulting in global famine and the real possibility of a World War.
As far as being in the Great Tribulation, the official WTS teaching is that it begins with the destruction of religion and that has not yet happened. Also, the Great Tribulation is from Jehovah as part of bringing to ruin those ruining the earth (Rev. 11:18). So any JW that believes the Great Tribulation has already started is espousing apostate (lol) teachings.