Time to start walking the walk
Because of the aging of the population, it's probably accurate to say that most Americans remember the energy crisis of 1973 (demographers are free to correct me if this assumption is wrong). I was 8 at the time but I remember it, and I remember the secondary energy crisis that occurred in 1979 around the time of the Iran hostage crisis. Both times there was a great call to conserve energy and to do so not only for the short-term but to change habits so as to conserve energy. Then Reagan happened, and everyone quickly forgot about that issue. Sure there were blips here and there. The first Gulf War sent a shiver through the markets. The recessions of the late 80's and early 90's kept people's tastes in vehicles and big houses in check, but what followed them was a 10-year spending spree on ever bigger vehicles and absolutely monstrous houses.
And now we are not only back at square one energy-wise, but we're worse off. The main reason we're worse off is that China needs energy in a way that no country competing with America for energy resources back in 1973 did, and the secondary reason is that the places we both get our oil from are mostly volatile places. Oh and there is the also the not so small matter of just how much consumption each person is capable of now.
'Nothing new about what I've said here, it's been in the news for at least a year now. But what I haven't been seeing is a return to the thinking of the 70s that individuals needed to really start just plain consuming less energy. Why the disconnect? Why do politicians and journalists seem stuck in the idea that we need to keep consuming the same huge amounts of energy? One of the obvious answers is that we are spoilt and no politician wants to be the messenger that gets blamed for this problem.
Luckily, one thing seems to be helping the cause of energy conservation along is the epidemic of obesity. It seems that there is a budding movement to get people to start walking places again. This is a very, very good thing. Now if we could just find a way to get them to stop needing to buy every last unnecessary new doodad that comes onto the market, we might start helping things.
Say, anybody out there know of any towns that plan to ban cars (apart from Aspen, an energy munching monster masquerading as something else)? I'd consider moving there if there were.
And now we are not only back at square one energy-wise, but we're worse off. The main reason we're worse off is that China needs energy in a way that no country competing with America for energy resources back in 1973 did, and the secondary reason is that the places we both get our oil from are mostly volatile places. Oh and there is the also the not so small matter of just how much consumption each person is capable of now.
'Nothing new about what I've said here, it's been in the news for at least a year now. But what I haven't been seeing is a return to the thinking of the 70s that individuals needed to really start just plain consuming less energy. Why the disconnect? Why do politicians and journalists seem stuck in the idea that we need to keep consuming the same huge amounts of energy? One of the obvious answers is that we are spoilt and no politician wants to be the messenger that gets blamed for this problem.
Luckily, one thing seems to be helping the cause of energy conservation along is the epidemic of obesity. It seems that there is a budding movement to get people to start walking places again. This is a very, very good thing. Now if we could just find a way to get them to stop needing to buy every last unnecessary new doodad that comes onto the market, we might start helping things.
Say, anybody out there know of any towns that plan to ban cars (apart from Aspen, an energy munching monster masquerading as something else)? I'd consider moving there if there were.
Posted at 1/17/2006 08:20:00 PM UTC
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5 Comment(s):
The energy crisis .. will only get worse
I hydrogen economy a oie in the sky ..
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Ian - Get thee to Mackinac (said: Mackinaw) Island between the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan. There they have NO cars! http://www.mackinac.com/content/general/history_nocars.html
Move to Europe, the Low countries, parts of Germany. There you can walk and cycle to your hearts content. And yes, there are still pavements/sidewalks in Europe. Another option is to go foor countries with a good public transport system, so I'ld suggest giving the Uk a miss as it costs a fortune.
Another question in this context should surely be where are all the energy companies in this? Or why aren't governments doing more to encourage solar energy or biodiesel? I recently spent a pleasant hour with a woman from Michigan learning (theoretically)how to make biodiesel, probably a useful solution for Belgium and France. Maybe even England what will all the fish and chips.
As with everything Europe is trying to imitate the US, witness the drivel served on TV. Okay, some crap we come up with ourselves, thanks Endemol. But a lot is US series or copies.
And I would still say Europeans tend to be more concerned about the environment, into recycling, saving energy etc, than in the US. Our electronics comes with ratings for water and electricity consumption, water is metered so you care about how much you use, and you pay refundable deposits on beer and other drink bottles. And no, our (can you say that in this global age where companies can be bigger than countries?) oil companies are just as bad as the rest.
Yes, the Brave New World credo of "Ending is better than mending" is true here as well.
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