Alternative Energy

[Wellardmac]

Vytenis wrote:

We had an oil wakeup call in the 1970's and we chose to go back to sleep. The economics of the present situation will surely keep us awake.

Interesting article about worldwide energy consumption and stats about where it comes from: http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9928068-54.html?tag=bl

"V"

I've gotta echo this. The signs were there and we should have heeded them, but chose not to.

The automakers produced and sold lots of large trucks because the US population wanted them. They were not shoved down our throats, we begged for them - they were status symbols of stupidity and excess. The automakers simply did what any good business should do and cashed in on demand. People still buy those wasteful monsters. It drives me nuts every time (and I hear this way more often than I like) to hear people say that they NEED an Escalade now that they have a kid in order to carry around all the junk - huh? what do they have? baby elephants?

We waste a lot of energy (well, we habitually consume and waste needlessly) and show no signs of that changing. We have never been big on energy efficient devices and go for cost and bling over efficiency and energy use.

Looks around your house - how many lights are on in unoccupied rooms? How many appliances are left on stand-by? How many appliances do you have that are outdated and not as energy efficient as they could be? Our houses are abysmally insulated - just take note of snow melt patterns next time it snows and you'll get my point. All of those things needlessly waste energy.

Until we get wise on energy use, then I have no sympathy for anyone who whines about the cost of energy. Do your bit to cut back on use and educate others on doing the right thing - then you can whine about others not pulling their weight.