India, March 26 -- A new term has begun trending on social media as the global oil crisis deepens: "energy lockdown." While the phrase evokes memories of COVID-19 restrictions, experts say it describes something very different-a set of government-enforced or encouraged measures to reduce fuel, gas and electricity consumption in response to severe supply shocks.

The term gained traction following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran-Israel-US conflict, which has cut off about 20% of global oil supplies. On March 24, the sixth anniversary of India's first COVID-19 lockdown, the term peaked as public anxiety mixed with historical memory.

What Is an Energy Lockdown?

Unlike COVID-19 lockdowns, an energy lockdown would not inv...