Comment from Bettina Hempel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am

Keeping strictly to the speed limit when driving saves a lot of gas.

Comment from Jess Barnett
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

Cities need to improve their public transportation systems so that they are more palatable to commuters. We also need more PSAs/advertising that promote these systems.

Comment from Lopamudra Giri
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

Solar power and Renewable energy and Sustainable Goverance all over the world necessary.Thanks.

Comment from Kelly Ryan
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

REDUCE REDUCE REDUCE consumption! That is pivotal…we all buy too much and waste too much! Also use public transportation, a bike, or your own two feet whenver at all possible.

Comment from Pavel Ivanov
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 am

This topic was taboo; I hope it should not be now:
The SUVs marketed as safer vehicles are in fact less safe for their drivers, their passengers, the pedestrians and the people in other vehicles.

I do not want to see them coming back advertised as hybrid. They can not be fuel efficient because the air drag caused by their shape. Hybrid power source is not a cure for their shape and mass.

Would you please look at this book: High and Mighty: SUVs–The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got That Way, by Keith Bradsher (Author)
Please look also here:
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/EETD-SUV-Safety-newWin.html

Now is a good time to inform the public about the harm caused by these vehicles.

Best regards,

Pavel Ivanov

Comment from Mike McElhare
August 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am

There needs to be ways to make solar power available in homes at a price that doesn't cost an arm and a leg! Maybe some significant tax breaks or public financing.

Comment from Elke Schoffers
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

Whenever possible, replace lawns with native plants, vegetable gardens, perennials or any other ground cover. It is also possible to replace them with slow growing grass that requires no or little mowing. Some cultivars do best when acutally not cut.

Comment from Kim Sherman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

Avoid using plastic as much as possible. This stuff does not break down and ends up in the ocean, gets eaten by fish, and we end up eating it too.
Take your own bags to the grocery store.
Wrap your sandwich in waxed paper.
Use paper bags for garbage.
Save jars and use for leftovers.
I'm not sure what to use for taking my 3 oz. liquids on the airplane.

Comment from Anne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:43 am

1) There is no real reason other than deregulation and greed for the price of gas to be so high. We need for our government to be protecting us by regulating commerce rhater thanbeing the agent for commerce talking advantage of the populace. There is plenty of oil.
2) We need to end the tax incentives for oil and create big tax incentives for the development, implimentation and usage of inexpensive and environmentally healthy energy.

Comment from Susan Wyman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

We in Michigan, surrounded by Great Lakes, should be leaders in wind energy. States with lots of sun should lead in solar. Most shipping should be done by train along with a lot more personal transportation: this means improving the train systems. All buildings should be required to have their climate at 68-72 year round: why wear sweaters in the summer and boil up in the winter? Once again, we should be required to drive 60 (not 55–no one liked that!) instead of 70 on the x-ways. If we can get everything but vehicles off gas and oil and fuel oil, the oil that remains can be used for transportation. No drilling in sensitive areas!!

Comment from Tilman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

We need to build a railway system like Europe has. Lots of trains running several times throughout the day and night. We need both intracity and intercity transportation in order to make this a reasonable alternative to driving. These trains should run on electricity powered by clean sources. I believe this is our only chance to lower the massive amount of pollution caused by transportation each day.

Comment from Wayne D Pickette
August 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

I have developed a short term solution:
It is currently wending its way through the USPTO

The system replaces the internal combustion engine and it's accessories.

The system decreases fuel usage approximately 60% to 100% depending on whether Solar Energy is available. When on fuel the system has no service requirements over 5 years.

The system can use nine fuels:\
Hydrogen, alcohol, E85, gasoline, kerosene, propane, butane, Natural Gas and (diesel which not recommended due to dirtiness)

Comment from Thomas Barth
August 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am

It's time to reinvest in our infrastructure by redeveloping our rail systems. Living in San Francisco for twenty-five years I almost never needed my car. Now that i am living in Phoenix, I can't live without it. Phoenix is FINALLY building its first light rail line but it is for tourists and shoppers. We need to develop electric bus and train systems for moving people with cities, getting people from the suburbs into and out of the city centers and then between cities. Current rail travel in the US is a joke and takes a back seat to moving freight. Developing these transportation systems will not only save gas but also get people working–especially if there is a requirement that all components be manufactured in the US.

Thanks,
Thomas

Comment from jake3_14
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

I've asked my apt. mgt. to install double-pane windows and patio doors to reduce my horrendous electric bill (3rd floor, no insulation). So far, no answer.

I'm prodding my wife to do something to earn an income. I can't afford to support her alone any longer. If she doesn't, we're going to sell one of our two cars to cope with higher energy and food prices.

Comment from Hank Savioli
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

Please consider joining Moveon.org and supporting their efforts to promote clean renewable energy. We will be holding Clean Energy Rallys nationwide on August 19th. Join us at OperationDemocracy.org.

Comment from sue ball
August 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

We definately need to be using wind and solar energy for a multitude of our energy needs and able to use it at an affordable cost. Every home could have their own solar panels to run their home and maybe community windmills to harness more engery for their daily needs. Other green energy resources, like ocean wave power, need to be quickly developed so it is also available at an economical cost to to the masses. We need to get away from oil and gas.

Comment from Nick
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

I for one have cut my driving to work down to about 2 days a week because I now bike to work in Atlantic City, NJ from my home about 4 miles away. In addition, I would love to have some sort of subsidy to install solar on my home. The revenues to fund this could come from a rollback of the economic stimulus checks, and taxing the largest polluters. In my area, there are talks of building an offshore windfarm that would generate more electricity than our local coal fired power plant. With energy coming from wind and residential solar, we could begin a switch to plug in hybrids.

I for one, would hate to see oil platforms off the coast of my town, being that I live on the coast. I watched a pod of about 100 dolphins swim around my boat about two weeks ago, and said to my guests, "This is why we need to call our lawmakers, and tell them to reject offshore drilling." We need to think forward, not backwards.

Comment from Liz
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Switching to renewable electricity, solor power & using public transportation

Comment from Abe Velez
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

We of course need to find more ways of capturing and re-purposing sustainable energy, and here's one that I think should happen: the fitness industry in the U.S. is bigger than ever, but right now we're powering our treadmills by burning energy (mostly non-sustainable electricity from coal etc.) in order to then burn our bodies' own energy (calories). This doesn't make sense. How can we close the loop and use all this chocolate cake-fueled energy of ours to power our fitness equipment?

Comment from T.Hays
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Alternative energy has always been the answer,but as long as there are greedy people running our energy policy I doubt anything will change.Changes could have been made long ago.

Comment from John Davis
August 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am

A taxi driver in New Hampshire stopped using his taxi and started using a rickshaw. He's licensed and has helmets for his passengers. They ride right past the gas stations during their low-cost rickshaw ride.
Seriously, our country must end our foreign wars (which it turns out were all about oil after all) and we should reduce our nuclear weapon stockpile to zero. This will put us in a position economically to completely retool both the power and automobile industries to use solar, wind, plug-in cars, hydro, hydrogen, but not bio-fuels (which compound our problems and increase the cost of food). The oil industries can be compensated for their retooling costs by the federal government which at this time will be able to balance the budget, eliminate the national debt, and finance the conversion of our country's transportation and power industries to renewable energy sources.

Comment from Tim Mattson
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Short term: More public transportation options. A lot of cities don't have public transportation, why not? If someone can't use public transpo then ride a bike and if that can't be done then carpool. We've had these solutions for a while now but American's have to stop being spoiled by their cars. It's not a status symbol, it's a vehicle.

Long term: Electric cars with a home-based power generating windmill or solar panels. There are also air-cars being introduced to the market that run on compressed air.

Comment from Benjamin Israel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

This would be quite unpopular. The federal government should declare that it will not allocate a penny to build a new highway. Highway money should only go to maintaining existing highways. This would prevent an increase in urban sprawl by putting people on notice that if they move to a distant subdivision, they will not have an easy commute. If there is any surplus in the highway trust fund, it should go to public transportation.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Personally, I think the cost of gas should be more on the order of what they pay in other countries like Australia, the countries of Europe, etc. There should be an enormous tax on gas, with the money designated to go for the repair/improvement of infrastructure. The bottom line should be conservation. Put an enormous tax on inefficient cars/trucks, with the ultimate aim to force them off the road. We should study the processes that work, such as what they have in Brazil, that turns sugar cane into gas, subsidize that rather than methanol from corn. And again, conserve, conserve, conserve. Recycle, stop putting garbage in giant landfills, make every congressman see Wall-E.

Comment from Jonas Diener
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

Sure, here's my long-term idea. Maybe good, maybe bad.

Burn nitroglycerin in power plants. To me it seems like a cheap source of abundant energy. If it's mixed on-site you wouldn't have to store large dangerous quantities of it.

Use the explosion to propel a very large (multi-ton) piston up a track, either straight-up vertically, or up a hillside, using a large amount of air as a cushion to avoid shattering things due to the compound's extremely high burn rate. Then as gravity brings it back down, harness that energy.

Make of that what you will…

Comment from ANn
August 11th, 2008 at 11:49 am

I've been driving 60 mph on the highway and have seen a dramatic improvement in my gas mileage, I'm getting 38-40 mpg in my Toyota Camry on the highway! Drive 60 when you go.

Comment from Denise from VA
August 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am

There are so many issues at hand. First of all, growing up in the 70's – there was knowledge of the problem then and why our government didn't carry on with Carter's starting of the process is beyond me – I suppose money talks. We need to use more wind power, less gas, smaller vehicles, solar – the list goes on and on.

It amazes me how much profit these oil companies have made off of the US Citizen. That is a disgrace to this country and should be forced to provide funds to come up with alternative plans for electricity, etc.

I personally worry about our environment, our economy, our jobs, our survival for my children and grandchildren more than myself. We all need to be concerned and act accordingly – not just thinking about today but for our children/grandchildrens future. It is not just about our generation. Things HAVE to change and our government needs to act NOW.

Comment from Bonita Sivi
August 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am

I am insulating my new house. There is next to no insulation in the attic. How could people have lived this way? I had my previous house build and had it highly insulated and with good windows. My bills were much lower than my neighbors.

I am taking old drapes and sewing them to the backs of my current drapes for extra insulation in winter. I have double pane windows and storm windows on those that are not double-panes.

Comment from Linda Schreiber
August 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am

US Oil Exports
Why is everyone talking about drilling for more offshore oil? Do they actually think it will help anyone except the big oil companies? The US has plenty of oil, otherwise why would the US have exported 55,972,000 barrels of petroleum in May? Actually, between 2000 and May 2008, the US exported 3,556,683,000 barrels of petroleum to over 120 countries? Look up the facts on the DOE website on the Energy Information Agency, EIA page. The supply is obviously there otherwise we would not be able to export so much oil.

Comment from Robin
August 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am

We are looking into the very expensive option of converting home heat to geothermal from gas — there need to be greater tax incentives in place for conversion to solar, wind, and other alternative power sources at both the residential and the commercial levels. Locally, our architectural review board within our town actively disallows solar panels in some neighborhoods, including ours — this is totally unacceptable. Local governments must be forced to recognize not only the benefits from but also the need for conversions to cleaner, not petroleum-based energy sources. And, of course, we all need to reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products such as excess plastic packaging.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

Oh, I forgot to say that I put my money where my mouth is. We've been driving a Prius for almost 2 years now. After about a year, the gas mileage improved significantly, and it now routinely gets 50+ mpg on trips. I drive the speed limit, by the way. We also recycle everything that's considered recyclable in our community. Unfortunately, that doesn't include several things (glass, plastics other than 1, 2, 3) I think should be recyclable.

Comment from Emily
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

1/ No more idling in cars! So many motors are left on unnecessarily – both private and corporate. I understand for Fresh Direct and other such fresh food services, not for people – or trucks – waiting for others in their cars.
2/ Congestion pricing in cities and better public transportation everywhere, not just in major cities.
3/ Sensor-based lights in all public work places. Too many office lights, and lights in private homes, stay on after hours when noone is there. What a waste.
4/ No throwing out clothes. I can't believe the number of perfectly good clothes I see in the trash. Donate, donate, donate – to help others in need and to save the environment. Organizations like Big Brother Big Sister will pick up at your door, you just have to schedule a pick up date with them.
5/ Keeping air conditioners everywhere had a mandatory minimum temperature of 74 degrees. Nothing below. Same in winter, other way around: no thermostat above 74 (I live in VT where it hits zero Fahrenheit, and we do just fine). It is perfectly comfortable, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
6/ Government rebates on environmentally-friendly purchases (as they have begun doing for hybrids).
7/ SMALLER CARS for all.

Comment from Lynda
August 11th, 2008 at 11:53 am

Transportation is the largest culprit here and that is where we need to start, although we can also reduce our consumption and reuse.
As already stated, we need better mass transit. Road and bridge tolls and elimination of oil subsidies can be used to finance transit systems and at the same time reduce congestion. High speed rail and bike paths and lanes will provide commuters with less harmful choices that meet their needs.

Comment from Joe Wyman
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

As the cities have been built to be "car friendly" we need to find a way to change the way the mode is powered. I like Mr. Pickette's idea of multi-fueled engines. From what we read, there is a large to push for plug in's so we can also generate re-charging power from multiple sources.

How do we get the dinosaur car companies to provide us with a viable retrofits of the existing car stock that would allow plug-in power sources (rather than forcing us to buy new, shiny inefficient models) ?

Comment from Donna
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

Covering even 1/5th of the Mojave Desert with solar panels could generate enough electricity for the entire country. Demanding that automakers produce electric vehicles that have the range and the speed of the EV1, even the Tesla Roadster for drivers who like it "fast and furious", would meet the needs of 90% of the drivers in the US.

Comment from Jerry
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

The federal government should nationalize the oil industry as several countries have done. There must also be more oversight of this industry. Petroleum from our 50 states is a natural resource that belongs to the people of this land and should not be leased away to corporations.

Comment from Joel Welty
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

My wife and I built an earth sheltered home and moved in two years ago. It is bermed on three sides, with high windows on the south. We use very little energy in this home but are cozy and comfortable. We burn NO fossil fuels and emit NO greenhouse gases. We have a patio but no lawn, and let beautiful wild carrot, goldenrod and other plants grow where they wish. Next we will put in a wind turbine to generate our own electricity, and we will sell the excess back to the grid. After that, we will buy a plug-in automobile, to be powered by the electricity we harvest from the wind. When the planet fries, don't blame us. We didn't do it.

Comment from Eric Triffin, MPH
August 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am

I use wind and solar power every time I dry my clothes outside! I hike at least twice weekly with my dogs who are my personal trainers and motivators, for exercise and unconditional love, not holding a grudge, and much more!

Comment from john
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Not having solar in the SouthWest is just stupid. We should mandate solar on roofs or other green roof for new construction and give rebates/credits to offset cost for existing buildings to encourage them to be installed.

Why not make all postal service vehicles (which do a lot of stop and go driving) be hybrid or electric vehicles?

Two no brainers…

Comment from Jenny Wilder
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Oil and other fossil fuels will dwindle, become expensive and then there will be no more. This is becoming obvious.

We are looking at our options and since we live in the Mojave Desert, it seems that using micro solar and wind energy production would be very advantageous to individuals here. We do not need a larger grid system until we have used all the rooftops for solar/wind energy and/or gardens.

We are checking into electric cars because they can be recharged with solar/wind energy at our house or even on the car.
We have already put electric assist on one of our bikes because we are able to make longer trips in a shorter time frame and with a heavy load against the wind(avoiding even more trips with the car). Next step is to attach solar panels to recharge the batteries. We are lucky-almost all of our needs are within a 2-5 mile radius! Such a 'Village" concept linked with bicycle/walking trails would help the country tremendously. We would be healthier and happier.

I am reading everything I can about alternatives-and they are changing fast.
Long term: get out of houses & cars that use fossil fuels. One challenge is to find a way to pull our travel trailer and not use gas. Our bicycles have always provided a sense of freedom, and we feel that being off the grid and away from the gas station will provide an awesome sense of freedom! Everyone in the country should have the same options. Every house that is built now should have built in solar/wind energy with under the floor heating and hot water. Community swimming pools must use solar/wind energy or not exist. Community landscaping should provide food or be of native plants, instead of just using water.

Comment from Pavel Ivanov
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I want make solar power available in my home and I am looking to buy a house.
The problem is the architecture of the city is such that the houses are street oriented (facing the street) and not solar oriented (the main slope of the roof facing south).

I would prefer to have a lot of south windows and definitely not west windows. With the south windows the sun can warm the room during the winter but not during the summer – east and west windows work in the opposite way.

Comment from Dean
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Until we get to a new source of energy, the government should require us all to drive vehicles that get at least 20 mpg. They could test this when you register your car, just as they do for a smog check. You would have to have proof that you need a vehicle that gets less than 20 mpg for work that is deemed important enough to do so (medical care, etc.) otherwise you will pay a huge fine for operating a vehicle not authorized. Just this fairly small step will not upset our society's balance and will save millions of barrels of oil immediately.

Comment from Ron
August 11th, 2008 at 11:55 am

I think that one of the most important things today not only to save oil but the oceans and the general environment is to develop a totally different kind of packaging non-oil and non-paper that is totally biodegradable. Everything we do seems to involve some kind of packaging. If there were an alternative we would save probably nearly as much as if we switch power sources to non-oil.
And no more feaking plastics into the oceans.

Comment from Andrew
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

Expand public transportation.

Invest in a more efficient fleet of vehicles ( watch this: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/amory_lovins_on_winning_the_oil_endgame.html )

Comment from gerry steinberg
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

(1) Enforce mpg standards with US auto makers-they already have technology to roll out 50mpg+ cars and trucks
(2) Tax and grant/low-cost loans to spur production of fuel cell, electric vehicles that dont use fossil fuels
(3) Major investment in energy retro-fitting/insulation of commercial and older residential buildings-particularly in inner cities (where this would also create thousands of skilled jobs and trades training opportunities)
(4) Greatly increase government investment in wind, solar, hydro, other non-nuclear,non-petroleum/gas/coal energy generation alternatives; this should include mandatory requirement, in areas where feasible, that certain % of energy generation for homes and business come from alternatives
(5) Government buildings, on every level (state, local, Federal) be converted to "green" on energy use-Portland, OR is prime model for how this can be done.

Comment from marvin grantham
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

There are at least 2 ways to break water into hydrogen and oxygen. One is to pass a current of electricity through it.
The other is to use calcium carbide. Calcium carbide when exposed to water fresh or seawater produces accetylene.
Some welding shops use carbide generators to produce gas for cutting and welding. The technology is already there it needs to be developed.
It could be used for vehicles as well as homes and industry

Comment from Clay
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

I propose hemp as the solution to many of these problems. we could easily produce hemp oil from the seeds to use for fuel. We could make paper products and clothing from the stems and fibers, which would mean we wouldn't have to cut down tree so many trees. We could also use the hemp as ground cover to green large sections of desert to increase the carbon sump and scrub the air. It would also serve to end Reagan's War on Americans. Did I say Americans? I meant drugs, of course. The savings there alone could provide health care for every man, woman and child in America and might make our neighborhood police stations less akin to the gestapo-like paramilitary organizations they've become, and more like the Mayberry police stations we once knew.

Simple as that.

Comment from mwags3373
August 11th, 2008 at 11:56 am

Keeping tires properly inflated, not accelerating quickly, switching to a manual lawnmower, getting all of my errands done in one day and not leaving the house unless it's neccesary(ie- no vacations or bringing the kids anywhere) can't afford it..

Comment from Jay Blue
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

How about Jack Newman's work toward genetically engineered yeast? And what about Glen Kertz and Valcent Products – vertically manufacturing bio-fuels from algae? – Check out http://cc.pubco.net/www.valcent.net/i/misc/Vertigro/index.html.

Comment from Matt Auerbach
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

HUGE tax breaks coming from oil, chemical, pharmaceutical companies and the US Department of Defense going to making several things much cheaper than they are today:

1) solar and wind power
2) cars like the Aptera (230 miles per gallon, built to Formula 1 safety standards, http://www.aptera.com)
3) local, organic food
4) public transportation

Comment from Dana
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

I'd like to see a public discussion/forum, maybe on TV, between Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, Mr. Krup, perhaps one of these folks: Ken Zweibel, James Mason and Vasilis Fthenakis from "A Solar Grand Plan", http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=a-solar-grand-plan, and others you at EDF might choose.

I'd like to see our presidential candidates in the audience of this discussion, but probably not as direct participants. I'd like to hear discussion of cap & trade vs. carbon tax, solutions to energy storage issues, etc.

Comment from LeAnn Wanex
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

We as T. Boone Pickens as said, "can't drill our way out of this mess." We need to focus on solar, wind and other renewable energies. But our government who is owned by big oil, timber, and pharmaceutical companies could care less about what the middle class and poor are going through. Make renewable energies affordable for us and conserve. We drive less, walk when possible, reuse, cut air to 78, buy less, not much else to do but sure would like some solar panels. But can't afford them just yet.

Comment from Daniel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am

We need dedicated mass transit lines running along interstate corridors. We shouldn't need to acquire more land when we the government already owns these vast swaths of development. Even before the trains can be up and running, hopefully replacing lanes of traffic, we should have buses running the train routes in dedicated lanes where traffic will not interfere with the bus system's schedule. This will get people used to the route and schedule and bridge the formidable gap between ideal and implementation of a mass rail system. Furthermore we need to stop wasting precious bits of renewable energy; every house should have solar and/or wind power to help the grid now, and the government incentives to make it affordable. Our fossil fuel cars need to be giant electric generators, where all the unused kinetic energy from the day's travels can be plugged into the grid at home. Every destination in the country should have well-planned, maintained, and safe bike lanes, paths, or corridors that provide safe places for those who can to use bikes as primary modes of travel.

Comment from Darin De Stefano
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Combustion technologies and current nuclear technologies are death traps. We've known this for quite some time, and yet because of the greed and existing infrastructure of energy supply companies and automobile manufacturers we've been forced to support and develop these deadly options.

It is no longer 1950. We face a simple choice now: transformation or disaster. It's time to realize that neither of these options are acceptable or survivable. Additionally, our seeming desire to cover the entire earth which buildings and automobiles is suicidal. In 2008 we are going to begin to realize that cars and technology -are competing with organisms for terrain and resources- in a way not unlike an evolutionary competition.

It's time to recognize that we face a choice between an unlivable future, and a new way of existing together. Endless development is no longer an option.

Comment from George M. Kesselring
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

I already have an electric car. It's the GemCar from Chrystler Moters, and even though it is only "street legal"
I make 95 % of my driving local, so I figure that I am saving about $10,000 per year. Japan is already testing, and have one car on the road that runs on water, converting it to hydrogen. Alternate fuels will someday take us off gasoline completely…

Comment from gdolme
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

I have noticed that oil prices are coming down a bit in the past week or so. I even had a friend remark about how "gas prices are really down—they're under $4" (they were actually $3.99…)

I believe that we are being manipulated by the Bush administration and their oil company buddies into thinking that the oil crisis isn't really so desperate…that all this talk of renewable energy, sun and wind is still to be relegated to the hysterical left-wing crunchy-granola-types who are over-reacting to the "natural effects" of supply and demand economics.

DON"T YOU BELIEVE IT!

I believe we are being led to erroneously conclude that things are not so bad using smoke and mirrors so as to very subtly provide support to John McCain, the "status-quo" oil candidate.

I believe that until the election is over, things will look as if they are once again under control and that once the new President is elected, the truth will be revealed—just in time for our winter heating season!—that we are in a horrible position: dependent on the oil provided by people who hate us because of our two-term President's policies of skirting the terms of the Geneva convention, as well as subverting our own Constitution.

I hope when deciding who to believe that the people remember that Al Gore didn't get the Nobel Prize for spouting hysterics. Global warming is a reality, as is the oil crisis. Lucky for us, both of these huge issues can be solved with the same creative measures. Our country must lead the way toward the use of renewable energy sources that will go a long way in the fight to stem the one-way trip we are on toward our own demise, as well as ending our dependence on the oil of people who would like to see our country destroyed.

Comment from kastigar
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am

More and better accommodation for bicycles. Improve public transportation so that all forms of public transport also accommodate bicycles.

Bicycles + Public Transportation produces a synergy that will encourage the use of both.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Transportation: a public bus or subway system that covers everywhere people need to go is difficult if there needs to be a stop every 3 square miles or so (reasonable given that walking a mile takes about 20 minutes). We can do it in metropolitan areas, but that leaves most of the country uncovered. However, if instead of walking we can bike, the 20-minute range is suddenly more like 5 miles radius (75 sq. mi.) at a very relaxed pace.

Why don't people bike? Assume that buses and trains have bicycle facilities (they do where I live, but not everywhere is so enlightened). The explanations I've heard are, first, "I end up with wrinkled clothes", and then "it's dangerous." Can those be addressed? YES! Wrinkled clothes are trivial to avoid if employers provide showers (take your work clothes in a bicycle garment bag, shower and change when you get there). The danger is vastly overstated–bicycling is much safer than driving if you have put as much time into learning the skill as you have put into driving, but when you factor in the daily light exercise (massive reduction in heart disease, obesity, diabetes, many cancers, depression, tiredness, and a great big etc…), bicycling might even be our best shot at solving the health care crisis. So my transportation solution is: (1) reliable, fast public transportation with fairly infrequent stops, and (2) assisting (or forcing) employers to provide bike commuter facilities including showers and safe bicycle storage.

Comment from scott
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

1. all government buildings should have solar panels installed and excess energy sold back to the grid
2. renewable tax credits should contiunue beyond 12/31/08
3. continue to push real improvements in appliance efficiency
4. continue to require improvements in CAFE beyond those just enacted
5. establish a floor price for gas so if the price does drop, we get extra revenue to invest in renewables as opposed to simply encouraging demand for gas
6. invest in high speed rail in high traffic corridors (eg, Dallas/Houston/Austin/SanAntonio, eastern seaboard, LA/San Francisco, etc)
7. require green building standards for all new buildings
8. switch ethanol production to a nonfood source (switchgrass, etc rather than corn)
9. push the Pickens Plan to get wind rolling

Comment from laurag
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

Some cities in the U.S. have switched to a 4 day work week, where you'd work 10 hours a day Monday through Thursday with Fridays off. If more cities did this, we'd reduce the amount of oil we are using GREATLY. Too many people commute to work 5 days a week!
We also have to improve public transportation in many cities.

Comment from Charles V. Powell
August 11th, 2008 at 11:59 am

I think expanding the use of the 4-day workweek (4 days at 10 hours per day), more telecommuting, and maybe a 4-day school week also, would save a tremendous amount of fuel.
Also, staggering work hours so everyone does not start and end work at the same time would greatly reduce congestion and thus also save fuel otherwise wasted in stop-and-go traffic. These steps, plus more traffic-light synchronization, could be accomplished fairly quickly and relatively painlessly, so I advocate implementing them early on to reduce the immediate oil crunch while we work on longer-term solutions.

Comment from Luke Wyland
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

1) Get on the bus…..
2) Don't let the BIG 3 kill the next electric car….

Comment from Deborah
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Organize small communities, friends, neighbors, apartment building dwellers,to share transportation for grocery and other shopping and errand running. Companies should start sign-up boards/chat rooms for car pooling and give incentives for energy-saving activities. These small groups could investigate and implement together ways to save energy i.e. possible didcounts for energy-saving supplies bought in bulk that the group could then split up and use.

Comment from ray
August 11th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

drill for more oil in the usa .. stop depending on other countries for oil. also ask congress and president bush for gas rebate check.

Comment from Anne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Cellulosic ethanol. It is much more efficient to produce than grain-based ethanol, gives much greater returns on the energy invested, and does not use food crops. The crops used to make cellulosic ethanol can be grown without pesticides and herbicides, without synthetic fertilizers, on land that would not support food crops. Why are we not hearing about research into perfecting the enzyme that would make this possible on a commercial scale?

Comment from Bob Inda
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

1.) ban the incandescent light bulb
2.) monitor/prevent over-cooling/heating of commercial buildings
3.) go back to a 50 mph speed limit
4.) create a law that addresses the right to pollute the air. just because an individual can afford to own and decides to buy/operate a large SUV, power-boat, Motor home etc. Tax emissions on these non-essential luxury uses.
5.) push for an act of congress that sets the US on a course to match per-capita energy use in developed European nations.

Comment from chris
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Attitudes need to change and we need to make it attractive, cool, to be part of the solution. Too many people are selfish without thinking about it.

Cut consumption across the board – ot just energy, but also food. clothes, household items, frivolous items. Recycle, sell, give away stuff instead of renting an off-site storage barn. Buy used goods. Fix things. Plan your errands.

We have to accept the idea that the environment is more important than the economy – blasphemy in America. But we NEED to slow down the consumption-based economy, make choices, do without (more blasphemy), and find more natural ways to do things.

It's progressive to go back to simpler lifestyles!!!

Comment from Paul Adams
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

We need to get past the idea of 'burning stuff' for power. Until we get to the hydrogen economy (where 'burning' results in H2O), going all electric with clean wind and solar power is the route to go.

We can't solve the health care crisis while we poison our citizens with by-products of burning coal, gas, propane, natural gas and manufacturing mercury, PCBs, PVC, etc.

Green chemistry will help us get there. IF a spider can create a web that is ounce for ounce strong as structural steel, then we should attempt to do the same. The spider does this at Room Temperature without Toxic by-products.

In the meantime, plant a Victory Garden and source your food supply from local sources, preferably where you know the person supplying you directly. (CSA and farmer's markets)

Comment from mwags3373
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

If this country wasn't so corrupt we'd still have widespread use of electric cars. We should incorporate more solar and wind power, also utilizing rainwater collection, in turn lessening our dependence on oil until it's fazed out completely. Local recycling should be mandatory and plastic containers should be fazed out, using more glass. Local farmers should be given state funds to expand agriculture in the community

Comment from Juliette
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Lawmakers who are not mandating that we immediately change our way of life for a better environment should be held accountable for their lack of action– this is a situation that is essentially killing us all, literally. Why are we tolerating lazy and inefficient lawmakers? Why are we allowing them to continue to allow big companies and corporation to continue their toxic practices?

The government ought to be mandating stricter environmental protection and alternative energy laws. Require alternative energy cars to hit the market not in 10 or 20 years, but in 2 or 3. It's possible and we know it. These technologies exist, they must be made available and even required.

I recently saw a case for the new iphone that is solar powered and charges the phone for you. Gadgets like this would also be a great way to allow consumers to have access to renewable and basically free (once you buy the gadget) energy for small items that tend to get left on, plugged in and forgotten. These items tend to add up to quite a bit of energy waste.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

The increasing rate of renters vs. homeowners presents another interesting conundrum: few landlords will upgrade the energy efficiency of their rental properties, preferring to force the energy costs onto their tenants. Of course, energy efficiency of a house depends both on equipment and on usage patterns, so I propose a federal law mandating that landlords and tenants must split utility bills 50-50. Um, except that it's unconstitutional. But nobody really reads that thing anymore anyway, and this law would surely do some good.

Comment from Michael D. McGuire
August 11th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Before we go running off in all directions to find a "fix" for all our problems think about what are really problems and what are inconveniences. We all need to drive less, use less electricity, conserve water, and generally consume less of everything we use once and throw away. We are trying hard to do just that, and the bit of extra effort it may take to accomplish these things is more than offset by the rewards that stem from the effort. We have become a country where convenience is everything, at any cost. As someone once said: "Simplify, simplify, simplify."

Comment from herb oringel (Somers, NY)
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Above all we need political will and LEADERSHIP.Intelligent leadership would hopefully build an affordable acceptable strategy comprised of Conservation techniques and sacrifice,significant investment in infrastructure inter and infra-city,maximum use of solar/wind and bio-fuels and optimization of existing USA resources :natural gas, EXISTING leases for oil production and modest growth of well placed nuclear facilities.

Comment from greg davis
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

We need to take all the tax credits to oil and coal companies and put that money towards on demand hydrogen from water internal combustion engines and conversion kits for existing engines. There is already one patent for on demand hydrogen from water and another patent pending from a Canandian company. Our government should work out a royalty agreement with the patent owners, license out the technology all over the place, put heavy tax credit incentives to build new factories for manufactoring these enginges and kits in towns that currently employ coal workers with a re-training program for the soon to be out of work coal miners. Do the same with wind turbines and solar panels. We could be 90% off of coal and oil in 5 years. The price of oil would drop in less than 2 years.

Comment from Mike Thorne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

A couple more comments: We're on a kick now to avoid receiving plastic bags when we shop by using cloth bags. The checkers often seem to hate this, but we persist. Put a tax on the use of plastic bags so that people will stop accepting them. Also, burn garbage to produce energy, like they do in some more enlightened countries. We could learn a lot by studying things that work in other parts of the world and by not electing "ignorant and proud of it" presidents.

Comment from Darren
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

We need to invest in railways not highways. Trains transport freight more efficiently.
Tax incentives for corporations that allow telecommuting for employees

Comment from lacey white
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

we need to find something that works as well as oil but doesn't ruin the environment

Comment from Renee de Vicq
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

1-Give us back our night sky by addressing light pollution. This will save a massive amount of energy and have the added benefit of making people's minds less crazy.
2-Make as much of the coast of the USA as possible into a national park, this would conserve fish stocks and also reduce pollution- future generations would be able to enjoy our beautiful shores.
3-Better urban planning would make it easier for people to shop close to home. Community health centers would be more accessible and affordable.
Produce from neighboring farms would reduce the amount of energy wasted in trucking produce over long distances.
4-Free up our rivers, dams have been proven not to be the best ways to treat our rivers, neither has concreting river beds so that valuable water goes straight out to sea. Let our rivers be beautiful parks for future generations to enjoy.
5 Introduce gardening into the school curriculum. Kids who grow up in urban areas are disconnected from nature.
6 Prevent off road vehicles(big gas guzzlers) from destroying pristine wilderness areas.
7-Finally create a prestigious award to be given annually by the President to the state that makes the best efforts to improve their environment- a kind of a Green Award. By introducing a competitive element you would get everyone on board.

Comment from Ryan
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

I am 23 years old, I just graduated from college, and I am working two jobs while living in my parents house. I have a half hour commute at the moment and I am in the process of changing everything. I am moving into the city, which will bring me within 6 miles of my morning job and 3 miles of my evening job. I plan on buying a nice road bike and will be using that for commutes for now. I live in Syracuse, NY and we have to deal with the cold and the snow, I'm thinking possibly a tricycle to deal with the slippery snow and ice and maybe even going with a velomobile, or an enclosed tricycle, to deal with the cold and rain. Either way though, my car will go from my main form of transportation to a back up, where it will only be used for extended trips, emergencies, and the worst of weather days. I might even try to get an electically assisted velomobile! As for my other energy costs, my new apartment is the second story of a recently renovated row house, it's beautiful, it's efficient, and it's totally perfect! Cheers!

Comment from Janet
August 11th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

In the 70s and 80s, teachers and mothers taught children to conserve and about the dangers of smoking until it became socially unacceptable to smoke and waste paper. That needs to happen for us to cut all consumption.

But unfortunately, none of this will move the well-to-do to change their consumption habits so we will have to take up the slack for them.

Comment from Steve Parscale
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

Tips for fuel conserving driving habits are readily available. They aren't difficult – they're just different. By moderating my driving habits, I've gained 4+ mpg with very little effort. (speed limit or lower; never exceed 60mph; windows in town, A/C highway to reduce drag; minimize idling; keep tachometer at 1500 – 2000 when possible; smile at everyone passing you)
We also need to remember that we haven't evolved beyond the point of being ambulatory. Walking, biking, consolidating trips – none are difficult … only different. Whatever we think we are sacrificing will be insignificant. We are not sacrificing luxuries – we are growing.
Common sense and a desire to learn will go a very long way.

Comment from Chris
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

We are dealing with a finite resource, so thinking of the future, we'll have to change our lifestyle completely. Living within walking distance of work, no more airline trips, goods will have to be made locally, as well as food will have to be grown locally and put up for the winter.
Wasteful practices will have to stop, which includes things like NASCAR, monster trucks, etc,
mowing lawns and being a throw-away society. In other words, we'll be turning the clock back in time little by little, and it's already begun.

Think of it, oil is necessary for making windmills, solar panels, heating homes, farming, tractors, airplanes, cars, trucks, any construction, medical industry, on and on. It's got to be preserved responsibly, but it only seems to be preserved when the prices skyrocket. People can't even bring their own shopping bags to the grocery store, and you think we're going to stop using oil? And the more oil we use, the larger our carbon footprint becomes.

We're in a time of great change, and hopefully, we'll work together and make it through.

Comment from Clara Roberts
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

When I was growing up on the farm we had a horse and sled.
The horse power exhaust waste was recycled on the land where crops were grown. Most of the time, shoe leather or barefoot is how we got around. Eventually we got a bicycle for everyone (ten) to share.

My Dad took a 55 gal barrel and put it on the roof of the wash house we eventually built. He attached a piece of rubber hose and a large juice can (about half-gallon) that he used hammer and nail to poke holes in it. That was my first experience with solar heated water, and a shower. We did not have electric or inside plumbing.

When I lived in Tampa, I had solar panels on my house that worked wonders. A weather strip was installed underneath it to keep the house warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

So wind and solar energy, hydrogen, and other renewal energy sources are available. When our government can build 5000 lb bombs to kill people and destroy Nature, then it can build numerous ways to use natural resources that will not destroy our planet.

'Nuff said.

Comment from Larry Anderson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

I believe that not one individual thing will work yet a combination of all alternatives will be necessary–the absolute truth is for every American or individual that they will have to be unspoiled and unselfish in their manners and methods or nothing will work and will always be shifted off in responsibility to the government–I doubt if the American population as a whole can do this-drive 1 mile below whatever speed is the location limit–and use synthetic oils–develop super cleansing oil filters for synthetic oils-if all did this-a surplus in 1 month would happen and the prices go down–very few will be unselfish enough or patient enough to do this–I DO IT AND GO TO THE PUMP FAR LESS FREQUENTLY THEREFORE LESS EXPENSE AND NOT SPEEDING I HAVE LESS WORRY ABOUT TICKETS AND AM SAFER AS FAR AS THE POSSIBILITY OF A WRECK AND A BETTER ABILITY TO AVOID A MISHAP-MY INSURANCE COVERAGE HAS DECREASED AND I ENJOY MY TIME IN A CAR-THE GREATEST INVENTION FOR THE COMMON MAN IN HISTORY–FOR WORK-PLAY-FAMILY FUN-VACATIONS-SUCH AN ABUSED FREEDOM THE CAR IS–WE WOULD HAVE ROADS WITH LESS DAMAGE ALSO–I DO IT AND CHALLENGE ALL OTHERS TO THINK OF US ALL AND THE CHILDREN TO COME-SET AN EXAMPLE AND RECYCLE THE AUTO FREEDOM WE HAVE HAD WITH BUILT IN GOOD HABITS-THANK YOU FOR READING

Comment from Laurette Bienvenu
August 11th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

For immediate impact and behavioral change – close off a lane on highways to anything classified as a non-dangerous and environmentally friendly vehicle – such as bicycles, small electric scooters and Segways. That gives the person on the small vehicle a safe option to commute where they have the added benefit of NOT waiting in traffic. It will get more cars off of the road immediately with little or no cost.

Comment from Jan Boden
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Besides reducing use drastically (do you really need to go there?),expand clean public transportation systems and ride-sharing options. Right now I take my car to work because it would take me 90 minutes to get to work instead of 30 minutes by car. We also need to be growing a wider variety of food locally: urban farms — suburban farms? Local stores versus malls — places we can easily get to on foot, by bike or public transportation. And alternative heating and cooling technologies for parts of the country dependent on fuel oil for heating homes and offices.
It's a change in mindset and culture as well as practice.

Comment from greengiant
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

One of the simplest things we can do is refuse to use the plastic bags that are clogging our environment. Canvas bags are abundant and save lots of plastic since they can be used over and over again. Also check out ChicoBag.com. Their little pocket size bag fits in purse, pocket or belt loop and opens to full size.

Comment from Nancy Henderson-James
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Rebuild our train system with high speed rail. Beef up public transportation in cities and towns with light rain, small buses, large buses, shuttles, etc. Convert intersections to roundabouts (traffic circles) to keep cars moving… no standing at lights burning gas. Require manufacturers to take back their products for recycling once the cars, appliances, etc. reach the end of their life. Extend tax credits for alternative energy to make solar water heaters, solar heat, wind, geothermal, etc affordable. Walk and bike as much as possible. Live close to your job. Buy less. Buy local.

Comment from John Cobb
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Shorten supply lines. That means, live near work. Produce locally, especially food. Abandon economic globalization and work for local economies. Shift thinking from how to "grow" to how to achieve sustainable economies that meet the basic needs of all. End urban sprawl and build Paolo Soleri's arcologies.

Comment from Christopher F. Vota
August 11th, 2008 at 12:07 pm

Redraw the lines in parking lots and design new ones for single-line parking ONLY. No more backing in nor out of spaces. Just turn into the open space and turn out when you leave. It negates the whole issue of saving more gas by backing in on a warm engine as opposed to backing out on a cooler one. No more parking on the edge of the lot and incurring the occassional damage, no more backing into oncoming traffic nor pedestrians – all of these also increase the collective carbon footprint. We may have to walk a little more, but that's a good thing for most of US.

Comment from Jeremy
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Streets need to be more bike friendly. We need better, more integrated mass transit.

But for a quick fix, suck it up and walk or bike to work! What's mostly needed, where the real conflict is at, is the change of attitude, and the way we perceive the ergonomics of transit.

Comment from Jamie Crouse Gwynn
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

We have the technology to produce energy from wind, solar and geothermal. The car companies have the technology to produce plug-in hybrids and hydrogen cars; we just don't have the infrastructure to support it. What we really lack is political will. Why don't we cast this needed change away from carbon-based energy as a source of national pride? It should be a national goal like the space race was. We should ask the American people to sacrifice for something greater than war.

Comment from Nance Nicholls
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

we need to develop public transportation systems that are energy efficient and reliable. Whatever happened to our cross country rail system. So many European countries are way ahead of us. I think we need to produce more efficient power and heat by utilizing solar and wind power. Instead of homes heated with solar power being an expensive option lets look at how do this for more homes, not just the exclusive ones that are examples.

Comment from marychristenson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

It will be helpful if we support local organic agriculture as much as possible. This will reduce inputs that require fossil fuels and will reduce transportation costs. Also it will rebuild smaller local economies so that people in rural areas do not have to commute to their off-farm jobs.

In Woodbury county, Iowa, they have made great strides to turn their failing economy around by following this goal; now schools and government agencies there are promoting the use of local food. This type of regional approach also builds community and when it comes to conservation that will be important.

Comment from naomijulia
August 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm

We need to have major, serious subsidies for getting solar power to homes in this country. We have many areas of the country with a LOT of sunshine. We need to use that. People are willing, but the initial costs are too far out of reach for most people.

Comment from gideonstorm
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

My ideas are expensive somewhat but simple
- Make homes and businesses part of the electricity grid where it make sense by making it mandatory and cost effective for them to use solar panels or wind or both
- Enable more choice in fuel from non food resources (grass, human waste, garbage, etc) and have engines that use it no matter what form.
- Charge users of more inefficient vehicles higher taxes and move to taxes based on consumption. this will lower the consumption rate on many items that we are addicted to.
- Stop mega corps from influencing the residual hyper consumption rates that USA has. We are 4% of world population yet we consume 24% of the resources. That is strange and sinful.
- More laws on efficiency and move taxes on the use of things that are not since people dont listen until things get out of hand. The American way

Comment from Ron Russell
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Begin by treating the oil situation for what it is, a grave threat to the health and wealth of our nation. Begin by enlisting the support of every American. This would include making some sacrifices, as we have had to do in every war–and that what this truly is, a war. Reduce the speed limits, teach people to drive in fuel-saving ways, increase public transportation, increase research and development of alternative sources of energy, demand that car makers design more fuel-efficient autos, force the oil companies to cut their obscene profits, pass a wind-fall tax on these companies and pass the money on to the lowest-income taxpayers, give tax breaks to people who drastically reduce their fuel use, demand that corporations stop producing wasteful and needless packaging (little cardstock boxes for every bar of soap!)that consume energy without reason, and then take about 100 other common sense approaches that our do-nothing congress and corrupt, moronic administration has ignored for the past eight years. The solutions are not as impossible as the stinking media and leaders will have you believe. What brought us to this situation is simply that our nation has fallen victim to a bad case of national retardation.

Comment from Roger Johnson
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

A major effort is needed by governments to fund incentives for solar and wind – big and little. Stop construction of new coal fired and nuclear power plants. Phase existing such plants out, over time, as more wind and solar come on line. Use limited natural gas sources in transition period as needed. Also, for vehicles encourage plug in hybrids, and shift to natural gas, and eventually hydrogen (as infrastructure is developed)by tax credits,etc. A strong effort along this line could stimulate the ecconomy, too. (I've just read David Freeman's "Winning Our Energy Independence" and I'm sold. Way out – maybe, but Freeman has great credibity.)

Comment from gecko
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Small hybrid human-electric vehicles less that 100 pounds ruggedized for collisions and mishaps in developed world urban environments will go a long way toward providing much more comfortable and resilient, low-cost, safe, highly efficient transport and transit using very little energy and emitting very low amounts of CO2.

Comment from Linda Burlak
August 11th, 2008 at 12:09 pm

1) Reduce and reuse even before recycling. Reduce energy use, waste, etc.
2) Push auto companies for more efficient, higher mileage vehicles – in the 40 mpg range, not the 26 mpg range.
3) Continue to develop both local and national renewable energy facilities. Make solar affordable for individuals, and keep building wind and solar plants.
4) Take up Al Gore's energy challenge for the next decade.
5) Fund research for renewable fuels that do not compete with the food supply, particularly for poorer nations.

Comment from John Mann
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

There are so many ideas already in the blogosphere (I have been following "theoildrum.com" and "energybulletin.net" for about 4 years now) it is hard to come up with new ones. I really do like ANn's comment about driving slower.

Suggestion: require each car manufacturer to post efficient rpm's for all cars from 1995 on, on level ground, 5% uphill, and 5% downhill. Convert this to mph for the top 2 gears. ASAP, put real-time mpg data into the instrument panel (I assume it is not hard for fuel injected cars) like the Prius does.

Have an energy committee for your municipality. Start a citizen's committee if the Town or City won't have an official one. Town planning must (MUST) help reduce driving by planning shopping areas within walking distance of all homes, or vice versa i.e. allowing homes to be built only near "village centers". Infill building is suggested by Building Sciences principal in a recent Fine Homebuilding magazine. Learn how to properly weatherize a house (See "stack effect" in Wikipedia; read Taunton Publishing's Weatherize and Insulate or, perhaps better, something written by the principal at Building Performance Institute (bpi.org).) Make sure your region preserves farmland and if at all possible go for low pesticides. Even grass-fed beef is better, old fashioned grazing supposedly actually sequesters carbon in the soil (worldchanging.com/archives/008338.html). We're going to have to go for local food, so don't let your region ruin all your local farmland with pesticides. (Throw away your pesticides and learn to love spiders and ants and bees). All that stands between us and death is our skill at taking care of our very ill planet. (Just my OPINION, of course.)

Comment from windmill3
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Lower speed limits – I have found that by driving 55-60 I can get almost 40 miles more per tank of gas. More bike lanes – if it were safer to ride on the streets I believe more people would be inclined to use their bikes for short trips. Strictly enforce Smart Growth – we need to stop building homes in outlying areas, the closer to the cities the better. Strongly discourage purchase of SUV's of any type, we need more fuel efficient cars. And, increase the gas tax to provide money for public transportation.

Comment from Marisa
August 11th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Original completion date for CA monorail: 2016. What is it now, since we haven't started? Let's push for this solution.

Europe charges manufacturers for excess packaging. They have cut back. We should hold manufacturers responsible for creating excess waste, the true cost of creating an item.

Seattle now charges consumers for plastic bags, and has banned styrofoam for takeout. They have set a precedent, let's create the momentum in our cities!

The American consumer is swathed in petroleum, increased asthma in our population yet another cost. We are suffocating on petroleum, and taking the planet down, species by species, with us. So we must take responsibility in every sector!

Comment from dwg2008
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

1. Conserve – We bought a Prius, take public transportation to work, and drive 55.

2. Make green tech affordable by requiring solar panels on all new construction.

3. Support alternatives to fossil fuels (excluding corn ethanol which is inefficient).

4. Eliminate tax breaks and incentives for fossil fuel production.

5. Harness rather than burn off methane from landfills.

Comment from Lois Karasek
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

If our Congress was not so full of greedy SOB's concerned solely for their own and their "friends'" welfare, we would already have been investing in alternative fuels, solar and wind energy to a far greater degree than at present. When "We the People" force Congress to become "one of us" again, paying out of their own pockets for life's necessities, perhaps they would take a little more interest in doing what "We" are paying them to do….act in "Our" best interests, not theirs.

Too, it's really not such a joke to suggest that we begin charging a price equal to a barrel of oil for our grains that are sold to the same nations from which we buy oil. The saying "Let them eat sand" is not meant to be cruel to the people of the oil-rich countries, but fair is fair.

Comment from Bridget
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

For now, my husband and I ride bicylces to work daily, and lump our errands into one trip. But we, as a nation, need to be focusing on developing the fuel cell, solar energy, and SAFE public transportation. I live in a large CA city and the public trans. is riddled with crime–who wants to be subjected to that? I also agree that we need to re-think our consumerist mentality and begin purchasing renewable products (i.e. shoes and clothing mede of recycled materials). I'm not sure we can get away from our capitalist desires, so let's market green living–make that the new bling thing. We'll still have to deal with ourselves as massive consumers rather than deep thinkers, but that's another tale.

Comment from Helen King
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

I am tired of the media putting the blame for exceeding the ozone standard in our city on the citizens who drive a car or mow the grass. Right in the middle of downtown are two petroleum refineries, an sulfuric acid plant, a chemical manufacturer, and several other industries which contribute to the bad air. In my city, the industries should be made to cut production during ozone days and the city should improve their mass transit. It really stinks.

Comment from Scott Wilson Sr.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Not sure if it will work or not, but, a few years back, we lived in Maryland and the small city we lived in had a central used oil dump area. Unfortunately they do not still have it now, primarily due to a cost refinement factor, but, that was before this oil cost issue now hitting everybody and gas as a result.
Anyway, establish central oil collection areas in all of the cities, big and small, and then ship the used oil to a refining area where it can be cleaned and re-used like this small city in Maryland was doing before it got so cost un-effective. I know the oil could then be utilized in vehicles again, but, what I do not know is whether this re-cycled oil could be made into gasoline as they do with the current oil that is purchased. If it can, what a savings and also what a reduction in foreign oil usage.
The only thing I don't know is if gasoline can be made out of this used oil, I do know that it can be replaced into oil containers for usage in motor vehicles again internally.

Comment from Alfred Muma
August 11th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Carbon Tax on gas won't work, all these taxes will do is take money from everyday people, raise the pricee of gas, and line the pockets of the government as the money won't actually be used to fight global warming. What really needs to be done is government pass laws that force car companies to imediately end production on large personal gas powered vehicles and replace them with electric and other alternate modes of power such as gas and electric hybrids, hydrogen etc. That includes removing protection laws for the big car companies against small independent companies to produce alternate modes of transport.

The Canadian government is far behind in taking action as it is still only talking retoric.

The other action all governments must take to curb greenhouse gas is to ban all armed conflict and so that the millions upon millions of gallons of fuel for military planes and ships is reduced drastically and is only used for humanitarian purposes such as seach and rescue etc. Besides a country's economy shouldn't be based upon arms and war rather peace and humanitarian endevours. The American public have to tell their president and leaders that they no longer wish to be a nation that relys upon war for their economy, to stop medling in other countrys affairs under the false pretence of concern for freedom and democracy and get on with the real job of saving our only home before it's too late.

The results would be a hug change in the US economy and life style for the better which would have world wide reprocusions for the better.

All the other wealthy countries have to do the same.

Comment from elizabeth
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

I am willing to drive ANY car that will hold me, my husband, my daughter, my dog, a stroller, and 3 bags of groceries. It can be solar powered, wind powered, electric, or partially powered by bicycle pedals. I don't care. I will buy it and I will drive it if someone will offer it to me.

Comment from Dori
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

The comments already posted are positive, good solutions. Let me suggest that public transportation should not only be expanded to areas where it does not currently exist (the closest to me is a light rail system 3 miles away, for example– I'm a little north of Baltimore), and it should be very heavily subsidized: FREE, in fact.

When my older daughter worked in town, she was able to take the light rail system. It was faster than sitting in her car on the expressway, saved her a lot of gas, and of course parking fees. She begins a new job this week with the state, which gives her free access to the light rail as part of her state benefits. This benefit not only saves her approximately $700-800 a year, since the fare cost is $3.20 per day, but saves more pollution being pumped into our air.

My younger daughter is mentally challenged. She will be starting a program in another area of our county in 2 weeks. It will take us nearly 1/2 hour to drive, assuming no traffic jams (which are very probable in that area). To get her there by public transportation would take a full 3 hours.

More, better, and cheaper public transportation!!!

Comment from marilyn
August 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

To use less energy, we should be able to hang our laundry out on clotheslines. But many HOAs across the country have restrictions against their use. Pressure should be placed on HOAs and state legislatures to rescind this regulation. It is just common sense to dry laundry using solar energy and not use the electric or gas dryer.

Comment from Paul Burke
August 11th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Take all the subsidies (our tax dollars) going to big oil and big coal and plow them into solar thermal. Dismantle our excessive and ridiculously excessive nuclear war head stock pile and plow that money (our tax dollars) into alternative vehicles (the air car, hybrids, electric cars)- raise the gas mileage standard to 40 mpg across the board (no loopholes).

Comment from Lorin Thwaits
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

A year and a half ago I upgraded a cheap Razor scooter to run off lithium batteries, and over the past year I've put about 2000 miles on it. I use it daily, both for little neighborhood trips and to ride over to a coworker's house where we carpool. It's easily paid for itself several times over. Plus it's fun to ride! Here's more info:

http://makerfaire.com/pub/e/775

Comment from phiqueen6
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

I believe businesses can cut down on energy substantially. I have been driving to work every day (sometimes, very long distances) only to work on a computer that I could have worked on at home. Telecommuting is a great way to save energy. If businesses got a credit of some sort and allowed workers to stay home and telecom, this would help the energy situation plus traffic substantially. I would also like to see communities promote activities on a local level for all the necessities of life. Lets get back to the basics.

Comment from Nick
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

It has become pretty clear that we need to make radical changes in the way we live.
We need to invest dramatically in wind and solar energy, re-design our power grid, and we need an aggressive, all-out effort to build hydrogen fueling stations throughout the United States. How silly is it that we have existing hydrogen vehicle technology (produces 0 emissions, only water vapors) that is not viable at this stage because there aren't enough fueling stations?
We also need an all-out effort to improve solar-cell and battery powered vehicles. To some people it may sound silly but think about this: if some low financed, average individuals can put together battery powered vehicles with a range of 80-150 miles, can big industry, which has tons of capital really not figure out a technology that will double or triple the range?
We also need to change the way we live… First, we need to use less plastic in favor of material that are not manufactured with gasoline — it takes an estimated 1.5 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bottles we use for water consumption in the US alone each year!! Second, we need to pay more attention at the houses we build by taking the control of the building process away from developers and back to architects. There was a time when we knew how to build energy-efficient homes… somewhere along the way, we've lost that knowledge and have started building homes that have no soul and that are very inefficient. Third, we need to be better at recycling water… from better collection and use of rain water, to using grey water for watering plants. Finally, we need to start massive construction of de-salination plants along our coasts. They'd be a lot more beneficial in the long run than drilling for offshore oil. We should use that water exclusively for a massive campaign of reforestation to fight and hopefully reverse the effects of global warming. I am often told that this is not realistic because of the costs involved… my question is this: what would be the cost of having Florida, Louisiana, parts of California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, and several more states underwater? Is that costly enough?

Comment from C. M. Barons
August 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm

#1: The current emergency was predicted with uncanny accuracy by Pres. Jimmy Carter, thirty years ago. If we had listened, there would be no urgency. #2: We need to rethink the myth of mobility independence that wastes our resources: embrace mass transit, car pool, restrict unnecessary travel… #3: We need to endorse a national renewable energy plan to eliminate the influence of corporate cabals that have subverted green initiatives and profited from the depletion of carbon-based fuel. #4: We need to halt the resurgence of the Nuke-mongers. Reactors are not cost-effective and uranium production, security and disposal issues are not worth the effort. #5: We need to motivate communities to invest in community-wide geothermal and wind power to solve community energy needs.

Comment from deuggims
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

The only way to go is to increase funding for solar and wind power projects, produce automobiles that are far more fuel efficient or are alternate powered, conserve energy (and everything else too)as much as possible,improve and increase public transportation, get the Republicans out of office and Big Oil out of the politician's pockets,stop buying everything that is disposible or one use only, and start living like we want our environment to be pristine and last another 50,000 years for all our progeny.

Comment from Mark Farmer
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Do away with toll roads and instead pay for the repair of bridges and highways with increased gasoline taxes!!

This past Saturday I and thousands of other motorists on the Mass. Turnpike spent nearly one hour to go less than ten miles just to get through the limiting toll booth at exit 9. There was no accident, just a back up from the toll plaza. There must be millions of gallons of fuel wasted at toll booths and millions of man hours lost at these uneeded bottle necks.

Comment from J. Barry Gurdin
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Project Better Place is promoting a lithium-ion battery-powered car to be built by Rennault-Nissan, and already the countries of Israel, Denmark, the City of San Francisco, and possibly the State of Hawaii will be converting their gasoline-powered autofleets to this battery-powered vehicle. There will be a national-network of stations in which the batteries can be traded and recycled, much like a cell-phone payment plan. In a somewhat different modality, MDR, a French company, is marketing a vehicle that runs on compressed air. One can recharge the vehicle using any power source, for which I would prefer solar and wind solutions. We need a national plan that will encourage a rapid as possible conversion to electric cars and other vehicles, for which a national network of battery-refueling and recharging stations can be built. Likewise, we need to encourage use of public transportation and modern trains such as magnetic levitation trains. Moreover, in the short term, wider use of biofuels, such as switch grass ethanol, can be encouraged.

Comment from Rob Ford
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Burning oil for heating energy is a widespread practice in many areas of the country where natural gas is not readily available. It's almost hard to believe that we still do this. Fortunately I think this is could be very easily remedied with focused attention.

There is a very viable and efficient alternative in geothermal heat pumps. They offer several advantages:
- eliminates the dependency on foreign oil
- vastly more efficient: they use the ground loop to shed/store heat in summer, and draw on it in winter. As such, these drastically reduce greenhouse emissions
- being driven by electricity, can even be powered by wind and solar

I think there are two main barriers to entry for homeowners getting decimated by heating and cooling costs
1) relative obscurity of the tech. nobody knows about it
2) high capital cost

It can cost $20K to put in a system. While the payback time is not outrageous, few can afford the up front costs of the system and will suffer through high oil prices.

What I think is needed are focused programs to publicize and encourage this technology through public information campaigns and low-cost loans. I think the major drive should be to make it easy for people to finance these systems and let the resulting demand drive down prices instead of focusing on cutting subsidies like many states do for solar.

Anyway, my $0.02.

Comment from Mike Frisch
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

I have dropped my fuel use by 70-80%

1) I bicycle two days per week (25 mile round trip) – great exercise & fun.

2) I purchased an electric bike/scooter (Ego cycle 2 LX, cost $1700) and I use it two days per week – costs 10 cents to charge it – great fun.

3) On the days I have to use my car, I carpool, and I drive 60 mph or less to save fuel.

Comment from David, Louisville KY
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

As a few others have already mentioned, we can grow our way to energy independence. Hemp is the one plant that is prolific enough to meet our fossil fuel needs. Hemp can be made into charcoal to replace coal. Hemp can be made into ethanol, methanol, gas, gasoline and biodiesel.

GM already has the means to build a battery-powered car. Equipped with a super capacitor and a turbine engine, it can charge the batteries in 5 seconds. Turbines can burn just about any fuel and get about 100 mpg.

The problem? Congress has hemp listed as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act. That's Congress' way of saying that hemp has no beneficial uses.

Congress doesn't want to address recreational hemp, aka "marijuana." Yet we regulate, control and tax far more dangerous substances — alcohol and tobacco. No one has ever died from using recreational hemp.

Comment from bwyg1x
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Carbon tax. Collect it at the well-head, mine entrance, or port of entry.

This will raise the price of lots of stuff, from gasoline to plastic supermarket bags. And raising the price will cause people to cut back on their usage. Manufacturers will cut back on plastic packaging, which will save weight, which will save transport fuel… it will snowball.

Use the money raised to build a network of seriously fast trains. For both people and mostly for freight. There is only one more efficient way to move freight and that's by boat, and then only if it's a pretty direct route. Otherwise trains win hands down.

Use some of the money to fund research into alternatives, from photovoltaics to nuclear fusion (not fission). Like it or not, it's about energy density. There's not enough arable land on the planet to supply our food and energy needs. Even if we deforest the whole planet there's not enough. Do the math.

Use some of the money to promote a vegetarianism. Every pound of meat takes about 2.2 pounds of oil to produce.

Use some of the money to develop plans, with the UN (has to be worldwide, but the USA should follow China's lead), for human population control. This mess (resource wars, global warming, massive pollution, etc.) is all due to overpopulation. We all know this, but no one will talk about it. What we have to do is reduce our population to a sustainable level. You can argue what the level is, but it is certainly considerably less than the current total. Half or less most likely.

There's more, but there's no point in listing anything. The US government isn't going to do any of it. Neither will the rest of the world until they paint themselves into a corner like China did with population. I hope India does something before it turns into an amazing disaster, but I'm not hopeful.

We know what needs to be done. Yet all we talk about is changing light bulbs and working from home one day a week. It's not enough. Not nearly enough. We know this. But we won't act on the knowledge. Why???

Comment from Kay Thomas
August 11th, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Somehow we have got to educate the American people about how important it is for us to get off our oil addiction and how just drilling "more" in places like Anwar and offshore will not solve our problem. I am amazed every day by how oblivious the American people are to this problem.

Comment from John
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Change the classification requirements for NEV's (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) so that they can go 40 – 45 mph rather than be limited to the current 25 mph. This would make these small, efficient, low-cost vehicles much more flexible for around-town errands and short commutes. It would also encourage the installation of solar energy systems to charge them and reduce noise pollution.

Comment from Richard Madole
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First and formost quit whining about the cost. To overcome an obstical you need a positive attitude. The Europeans have been paying more than twice what we pay and they have made it work. Secondly, at any given moment there are more than 10 thousand Semi's sitting with their engines idleing. It is a waste and totally unnecessary. And this also applies to each of us with our smaller vehicles. Don't leave the engine idleing for more than a few seconds. Develope good reliable public transportation, including a nation-wide train service. Have the government take over the rail system just as they have done with the federal highways. They could then provide adequate rail lines so that trains don't have to sit, sometimes for long stretches, waiting for an oncoming train because there is only one rail line to be used in both directions. Finally, get out of Iraq!

Comment from ShaunF
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First Gather Information:
What do we use in total? What should be our target?
What can easily be reduced?
Mandatory reductions: Make it more expensive to keep energy wasters than to replace them with tax incentives and penalties (tax increases) for households using over X energy.
Invest in a better infrastructure (public transport, effecient & green power)

Comment from Linus
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

I work in a remote location about 30 minutes outside a moderate-sized rural town. To save money and the environment, my coworkers and I changed our schedules to 9-hour days and convinced our employer to let us use a company vehicle (a hybrid Escape, no less) to make the commute. We buy punch cards to keep track of payment and have a set departure time and scheduled drivers, so we don't have the headaches typical of standard carpools. Five people in a car getting over 30 mpg is a big improvement!

Comment from MJ
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Free energy — valid, plentiful, suppressed.

http://www.free-energy.ws/lindemann-1.html

Comment from Bruce May
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

First drill for oil and natural gas offshore and in Alaska, build more refining plants to increase production, convert all power plants to natural gas or put advanced scrubbers on coal power plants, increase atomic power plants, and convert all automobiles and trucks to electric drive with plug-in meter stations everywhere you may park. Convert all homes and businesses to solar power and wind power.

Comment from sascha2
August 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

A tax credit ought to be offered to employers for every employee-day telecommuted. This will save vast amounts of fuel (probably reducing the cost of oil), clear up rush hour traffic, save lives that might be lost to traffic accidents (and reduce injuries, too), deeply reduce air pollution from vehicles and reduce potential damage from (less needed) drilling (offshore and otherwise), put less wear-and-tear on infrastructure (saving money), make neighborhoods safer with more people there to watch over them, and improve businesses bottom lines.
What are the potential objections?
• Employers may object to the record-keeping requirement, but surely they know today who is in the office and who isn’t. Further, they are not required to take the credit.
• Reduced travel will mean reduced income from tolls and gas taxes. However, since much of this money goes to repair infrastructure, etc., the lowered need for such repairs will partially offset this. Besides, good idea though this is, it is not wholly without trade-offs.
• Reduced fuel use will likely negatively impact oil company profits. Yeah, I feel really bad about that…
• The credit, itself, will cost money. Personally, I call this a bargain.

Comment from Ezer
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

One thing that's very noticeable in the U.S. is how your entire life is built around the car. Suburbia is an American invention, and the suburbs are still getting larger. You need to reverse that trend, along with the highway-building investments that support it. The real-estate crisis needs to be taken advantage of. Now is the time to reshape the way urban communities are built, and start bringing people back from the suburbs. The goal should be, less people who depend on cars, and less space taken up for living. For some reason this is not a proposition that is on the table right now.
Obviously, this will take something of a cultural shift too. The American Dream is still the house in suburbia. But you need to start by making policy shifts that will allow people to imagine this kind of life too.

Comment from chrisrushlau
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

An economist would suggest that we don't really know what oil use is costing us because our foreign policy interferes in the market, by stationing Israel on the fringe of the oil-lands and by directly invading some of these lands ourselves. The price of oil almost quadrupled since the Global War on Terror started.
Two further points: tackle big, near problems before small, far-off ones. A problem-solving attitude with that sense of proportion ("do-ability") will get going when it starts having successes. A senior Palestinian official said over the weekend that the two-state solution will never work as things stand so a "binational" solultion, Palestinians and Jews together in one state, is all that's left. Another word for "binational" is "liberty under law".
The law is our framework for solving problems. We have to regain our faith in due process. We can't have a crazy non sequitur like the "Jewish and democratic state" terrifying the oil producers on one hand and these, so far, seventy one little, iffy oil-replacement solutions on the other. Law requires balance and allows balance. It requires we balance our expectations by some basic sense of fairness, but then allows these "reasonable expectations" to find workable, broadly supported realization: like civil rights, for instance. And a sophisticated transportation grid.

Comment from eugenewu
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

A national program to put photovoltaic panels or other renewable energy source onto every new residential or business building that would feed into the grid. It's time to distribute electrical generation to thousands of individual generators, not just a few select local monopolies using fossil fuels. Once people are ready to generate their own electricity, each individual will be empowered to fuel his/her own electric/plug-in hybrid vehicle with it.

Comment from b
August 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

How about reinstituting efforts to educate the general public on the benefits of nuclear energy? The world has learned a lot about nuclear power since the events that gave it a bad reputation. Europe has demonstrated how well nuclear power can work. It just needs to be accepted by the general public, who, in general, still thinks nuclear power is still unacceptably unsafe. Education is the only thing that can fix this incorrect belief.

Comment from fugue137
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

And just to make sure that people get on board with the bicycling thing: an outright ban on motor vehicles (except for emergency vehicles) for one day every month. Think what this would do for, say, LA!

Comment from Holly Dain
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

We should institute a Peace Corp type system where young Americans commit a couple years to working building the infrastructure necessary for renewable fuels. The large energy corporations now making record profits should contribute the majority of the funding as they will be profitting from the infrastructure once complete. The workers would be learning the necessary skill for jobs in the new clean fuel industry and should be given job placement assistance at the completion of their service. This would create jobs, training and the infrastructure our country needs for a oil free future.

Comment from Keleigh Muzaffar
August 11th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

How about reducing the amount of wasteful plastic packaging?

Comment from monte greene
August 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

http://www.valcent.net/i/misc/vertigro/index.html
ALGAE!!!

Comment from bahen
August 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

All modifications of driving habits, speeds, etc. still use oil, although maybe less oil. Even public transportation is oil based.

ENCOURAGE TELECOMMUTING. This uses NO oil and has several added advantages of a social nature: no one cares what color, age or sex you are as long as you get your work back accurately and on time. And even more positively, no one cares about physical disabilities. You can do computer work from a wheel chair. Lots of areas already maintain no offices. When you order from many computer on line places, the operators are at home and the stock is stored right at the UPS or FedEx terminal – they don't even have warehouses.

So I urge distributed work places to avoid the necessity of commuting and offer work to everyone willing to be reliable no matter where they live.

Comment from Sam
August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

What No One is telling our Congressional Members about Energy.

I have been reading Letters to the Editor in my local newspaper that try to make the case for “More Drilling for Oil in America.” Most of us remember the mid 1970’s when we had a world wide oil shortage and the price of gasoline went up. Soon it came down and we were back enjoying our gas guzzlers.

If America and our Automobile Industry had learned from this and supported fuel efficient cars, we would not be paying the price we are now paying. The oil companies did learn. They did stop building new refineries but NOT because of environmental concerns nor NIMBY (No In My Back Yard) as one writer had written. Instead, the oil industry began merging and started slowly closing, one at a time, their existing refineries. The result was gasoline prices slowly started their climb to where they are now. Not because of any perceived oil shortages but because of decreasing refinery capacity. To prove this point, does anyone believe the new congressionally mandated 10% ethanol is made at refineries that cost one billion dollars to build or does everyone understand they are using “moth-balled/ closed" oil refineries on loan from the Oil Industry to make mandated corn ethanol?

I have been following the Congressional House hearing where the oil executives have been testifying. The oil industry is saying they do not have any "off –shore or on-shore" drilling equipment not already in use. Bottom line – they do not have the equipment to do more drilling. If they did “find some” not in use, I would suggest they start re-drilling Texas/Oklahoma oil fields where 2/3rd of all oil ever found is still in the ground or maybe on the 38 million acres off-shore where they have found and are obtaining a lot of Gulf Oil on land already under lease. That oil will come to American refineries.

The fifty years that the oil executives are telling Congress that Prudhoe Bay will keep the Alaskan Pipe line full of oil, none of that oil has ever nor will ever be made into American Gasoline. Congress does not understand all of our Alaskan oil goes to China, Japan and South Korea. So while some congressional members scream to drill ANWR, there is NO rational reason to drill the Arctic National Wildlife Refugee.

We all remember when our president failed to get Saudi Arabia to sell more oil. A week later Saudi Arabia said why they refused. Their answer was that the world oil pipe line had all the oil it can handle (meaning refinery capacity).

Since cars do not run on oil but require gasoline, if we want the price of gas to go down then the oil industry needs to put “moth-balled” refineries back into service. Surely all of our Congressional members know this. Could it be no one wants to tell the oil industry to “do it”?

Does anyone believe the oil industry will build more drilling rigs or take old refineries out of "moth Balls" unless Congress gets involved? Why should the oil industry want the price of oil to go down? They are the ones who closed their old refineries in the first place.

Americans while hurting now must wean itself off oil and help the rest of the world learn how to successfully, peacefully and rapidly retreat from its addiction to oil. If not we will remain at the mercy of the oil industry that has since the 1970's been unregulated. My next car will be a plug in electric powered I hope by solar panels on my house.

Comment from Tom Janowski
August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Stop automatically thinking about alternative energy sources and think instead about "people-powered" transportation. Every single urban/suburban area needs a netword of dedicated, safe bike/blade/walk paths. There are many existing assets that can be used to start this type of path network–unused railway areas, for example.

There are far too many cities in the northeast that jumped into building light rail at an extreme cost only to remove their rail systems 15 – 25 years later when they were deemed failures. Bike paths could be done much more cheaply.

Some sort of tax incentive to live near a person's place of employment would also be useful.

This is probably the most sensible transportation alternative and it promotes healthy living as well.

Comment from SoBe
August 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

We waste a lot of energy just through inefficiency. How stupid is it that we didn't raise CAFE standards until last year?

#1 we need to set some standards and offer incentives for conservation measures. This should be a national priority. In the same way the nation got on board with rationing during WWII, we should view energy conservation as a patriotic duty.

#2 we need to invest in renewable energy. Tax credits to help homeowners, businesses and yes even churches switch to solar, wind, geothermal and other alternative energy sources.

#3 R&D. What this country invests in renewable energy R&D is pitiful compared to what we spend on bombs. If we had energy independence, we wouldn't need to be investing trillions in Iraq. Sorry, space program, but right now the national priority is energy. That manned mission to Mars might need to wait a few years.

And let's pay for all this by cutting defense spending and a windfall profits tax on Big Oil.

Comment from Garrett Brewer
August 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

Don't a own a car and shop locally. This can be easy or difficult depending on your situation. Easy for me

Comment from greenarch8
August 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE. We've read it, we hear it, we've applied it, now we have to redouble our efforts to apply it. I do so all the time.
REDUCE: car trips, use of plastic bags, clothes, furniture, anything plastic in favor of natural materials, plastic packaging (use paper, then recycle it), replace your lawn with low water plants and vegetables, get a cordless electric (battery powered) lawn mower, paper towels, napkins, plates.
REUSE: paper or cloth grocery bags (very easy), plastic or glass containers with lids (look for them in the store with the intention of reusing them: yogurt containers, sauce jars, etc.)
RECYCLE: find an industrial plastics recycler in your area (they are there, but may not be in the phone book) and deliver almost all of your plastics to them yourself in a big bin capable of holding 4-6 months worth of plastic. In Austin, If you must have carpet, buy recycled PET (pop bottle) carpet.
Not trying to preach, People, just remind of easy things we can do. Peace.

Comment from Donald Shank
August 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Help people, through free classes and tax breaks, to convert lawns into gardens. Growing your own organic food eliminates the need for oil inputs like fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, farm machinery, trucks and your own car for weekly trips to the grocery store. Most of us can't grow everything we need, but whatever we can grow reduces our carbon footprint, and you'll be amazed at how much better fresh organic food tastes. You've never really tasted a tomato until you've had one fresh from the garden.
Also, stop having so many babies! The sustainable population of the planet without the oil economy is about 2 billion. This number will be achieved, the only question is whether we do it through conscious choices or whether nature does it through famine.

Comment from Kira Lueders
August 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

The price of gasoline needs to be kept near $4.00 a gallon, by increasing taxes (which can then be used to maintain infrastructure) if prices fall because it is the only thing that will force people to think about how they use it. The recent high prices have resulted in a decrease in the sales of big gas guzzling cars, the sale of smaller, more efficient cars, and the incresed use of public and alternative transportation. Prices are twice as high in Europe, with lower incomes for many people, resulting in more small cars and better public transportation systems.
The answer to the energy problem is not offshore or Arctic drilling! The answer is also not alternative fuels made from food crops. This merely drives up the price of food, compounding the higher cost of living due to higher fuel costs. Using corn to make ethanol does not make any sense from an energy consumption point of view.
The sizes of houses need to be limited to a resonable level. Rooms with 15-20 foot ceilings take a lot of energy to heat or cool. Utility prices need to be on a sliding scale that discourages such waste. There are now sophisticated ways to control the amount of energy used, and if people are unwilling to be prudent, it may be necessary to ration energy. A temperature of 65 degrees in winter and 78 degrees in summer is reasonable for indoor spaces.
We need more motion sensor controlled light fixtures in public buildings where lights frequently blaze away all night because people don't turn them off when they leave.

Comment from fedup
August 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

Provide companies an XX tax credit for every employee they set up as work from home. Part time work at home = $XX while Full time work at home = 2 x $XX.

There are many large companies that today already have employees enabled to work from home (for nights/weekends). Let's make it worthwhile for the environment and the company to allow those workers to take advantage of current technology and work from home. Less commuters on the road. Less road rage and odds are companies would have a lot of happy workers.

Comment from quidam56
August 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

The mega profit machines are letting us down. If there's going to be any changes made, it's up to us to do it. Quit buying 'made in China' to start. I was getting an oil change the other day ( my mechanic has a garage at his home which is kind of a meeting place to chit chat ). Anyway, he mentioned somthing about converting to hydrogen and said it can be done. This is what Detroit should have been doing but it looks like it is up to us to do it ourselves. Here's a site he told me to check out, I am going to get this on my Jeep ASAP !

http://water4gas.com/2books.htm?hop=mtveter

Comment from Eliece
August 11th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

Build more Bike Paths and Bike Lanes!

Comment from Dori
August 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

Make carpooling options more viable, less scary to help get people out of one person/car mentality. Maybe some group or agency that can register riders or ??? An expansion of vanpooling??

Comment from wildwiilly1111
August 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

1) Ecodriving – see http://www.ecodrive.org

2) All-electric vehicles that get less than 100 miles per charge will be more widely adopted for commutes if employers provide recharging capabilities (not free – just available).

Comment from Larry
August 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

Not muck else to say the following people said it all. Conserve, Solar, Improved rail system, better roads, require all new housing to have Solar panels when possible. Make electric cars to start running on the roads by 2010. Design neighborhoods so that golf carts, Segways and other small electric vehicles could be used.

Comment from DoctorSerizawa
August 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

Wouldn't it be great if we had a government that advocated for US and not the corporations?

Every other country on earth has good trains, solar power and small, energy efficient cars. GM sells natural gas-powered cars in Europe, but not here. All sorts of cleaner diesels are available in Europe. Japan has an amazing array of "Kei Cars", safe, functional, comfortable & CHEAP transportation. Scooters? Everywhere but here. Electric Cars? GM and Toyota had them, and the customers were universally thrilled, and them the corporations collected the vehicles and literally tore them apart.

The solutions already exist, corporations refuse to bring them to the United States and the government refuses to push them. Instead we have cheney, who shoots off his mouth at a volatile situation with Russia and Georgia.

Comment from Gena Nadeau
August 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Lower speed limits to 60 mph. Move more goods around the country by rail rather than truck. Rebuilding our rail infrastructure would also create jobs.

Comment from gemariah
August 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

quit speeding towards the red light or stop sign. ride a bike to do mini-errands. take public transportation. support amtrak. walk. keep looking for better and less expensive solar panels. buy a row house instead of a sprawl. demand your city council to change city codes to use less energy including land developers. create one mall instead of many little ones with public transportation to and from. demand car makers to create hybrids — no more fuels that take food away from people.

Comment from Fred Merrick
August 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Things I have done and many other people could do:
Home: installed insulation, double pane windows, CF lights and Energy Star appliances. Recycle everything possible.
Commute: sold my second car and bicycled to work for 18 years until age 65, including using a van shuttle across the bridge and commuter train to work 45 miles away. use bicycle for small grocery and other shopping.
Slowed down 5-10 mph on the freeway.

Comment from roxanne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Tax incentives for urban or apartment-style living

Investment in public transportation and light rail

Encourage biking

Comment from Dave Hymers
August 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Sustained government subsidies for at home solar generation of electricity.
Construction of more solar power plants.
Education at grass roots level on economic living and smart decision making.

The major change that needs to take place thats already been stated here is responsibility for ones own lifestyle and its impact.
People can no longer live ignorant of the human race's impact on this planet. We will only bring hardship on ourselves also, if we don't change this countrys oil dependance; those who don't change fast enough will loose out.

Comment from greenarch8
August 11th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

In Austin, Cycled Plastics off Rutland on McKalla Place takes almost all plastics (must be clean)

Comment from Susan7214
August 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Here's an idea. Do what Jimmy Carter tried–and failed–to do. Get the C.I.A. to release their records on alien technology. They have learned enough from the flying saucers or whatever has landed to solve all our energy and environmental problems. Hard to believe?
Check out the National Press Club's 2001 "Disclosure Project," available on YouTube and see what you think.

Comment from bronwynwe
August 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm

Walk or ride a bike when you can

When driving is necessary, try to do as many errands as possible in one trip.

Don't buy an SUV. Standards won't change until the consumer stops buying them. We as consumers have a bigger voice than sometimes we realize.

Instead of pushing so many tax dollars towards maintaining oil, push it to public transportation and more efficient fuel. Public transportation isn't available to everyone and/or it doesn't run all day.

Buy organic local or grow your own vegetables.

Phase out incandescent light bulbs and other energy hog items.

Stop making healthy energy efficient a choice between cost and the better choice. The better choice needs to be the standard and at same cost as the other less efficient choice and move toward completely phasing out the less energy efficient item.

Comment from Charlton Jones
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

In April I completed the conversion of an older car to all electric. I have been driving for less than 5 cents a mile since. I used lead acid batteries and components off the shelf. I didn't invent anything. I can drive on the freeways and have 150 mile range. It's surprising that the car manufacturers can't do as well. GM had the lead in electric cars in 1996 with the EV-1, but then they crushed them all. (If GM had been in change in 1492, Columbus would still be in port.) I enjoy my electric car, but I also ride a bicycle for short trips. It's a shame more people don't realize how smoothly a bicycle fits into traffic at very low cost in fuel, pollution and congestion. Bicycles and electric cars can solve the current oil fiasco.

Comment from karen222
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

It seems pointless to continue to drill without insisting that the oil we produce stay in the U.S. market, and not be placed out on the world market which is what is happening. So, drilling isn't practical, nor will it solve the problem.

The best way is to refine bio-fuels for an interim period. I'm thinking of fuels that will work with the existing autos. Then we can gradually cut over to all electric autos, rechargeable by solar cells. The batteries that we are currently using in our autos will have to be replaced by more efficient cells. Also, conversion kits for existing autos can be offered. I favor tax incentives for conversion kits, perhaps even small subsidies for converting, and definitely tax incentives for purchasing hybrid vehicles and total electric vehicles.

Comment from cfrkeepr
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

There is a solution to our oil crisis which also has the additional benefits of reducing pollution and and global warming gases. This solution is currently available technology, and would not require huge capital investments or major infrastructure investments. The solution is the electrification of the US's transportation fleet through:1. hybridization of existing Internal Cumbustion Engines (ICE) with electric motors with after market conversions,2. plug-in after market kits for existing hybrids to extend "all electric" range, 3. Advancement of new electric vehicles into the market. The efficiencies of electric motors over ICE produces three times less pollution and green house gases than oil and twice as efficient even when coal is used to make the electricity. Ordinary volunteer conservation has merit but is very unreliable. Additional pollution and green house gas emmisions reductions can be achieved by moving to increase the use of sustainable means of generating electricity i.e. solar, wind, geothermal, tidal, etc. Improvements to the grid management are need now so the benefits would only enhance the entire energy picture. Electric mobility is possible now if we have the will.

Comment from Patrick
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Move closer to work and school. Ride your bike to work and to get groceries. Don't buy a new car. Buy used. Don't contribute to more cars on the road.

Comment from gemariah b
August 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

quit speeding towards the red light or stop sign. ride a bike to do mini-errands. take public transportation. support amtrak. walk. keep looking for better and less expensive solar panels. buy a row house instead of a sprawl. demand your city council to change city codes to use less energy including land developers. create one mall instead of many little ones with public transportation to and from. demand car makers to create hybrids — no more fuels that take food away from people.

Comment from Tara Loughlin
August 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Is there NO ONE who is excited about the "air car"? Why aren't people going crazy for this? Why aren't governments putting funds towards bringing this brilliant invention to market? Why aren't capital venturists clawing their way to the front on the line to drop money on this? A CAR THAT RUNS ON AIR? Go to Youtube and watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtsAm3t2HDA

Comment from billyr
August 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

We need a whole new energy paradigm, and we need it implemented 20 years ago. Carbon based fuels are a dead end in every context, since not only do they have undesireable by-products, they represent a finite resource that must supply a hopefully infinite demand.

It's not that we lack the know-how. Much of the technology has already been developed, and more becomes available regularly. It's that we lack the political will, and that is inexcusable.

If our current energy companies cannot – or will not – completely rededicate themselves to the renewable, sustainable, environmentally conscious energy paradigms we need, then they should be taxed out of existence with the proceeds given to new enterprises with the kind of vision we need to survive as a species. The progress must be swift; if nothing else, nationalize the energy companies and restaff their management with people eager to do the right thing.

In fact, continuing on the present course is so egregious a crime, that the corporate executives and their shareholder, investor support ought to be subjected to prosecution for crimes against humanity in international court if they refuse to at least get out of the way, or balk at progress toward a new paradigm.

Comment from garygifford
August 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Instead of driving to the gym and driving to the grocery store, get some grocery baskets on that bike collecting dust in the garage and kill five birds with one stone? 1. Get groceries, 2. Get your exercise, 3. save wear and tear on your car, 4. save money on gas, 5. Cut down on your carbon footprint.

Comment from Kit
August 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Just returning from a trip to Europe, I had a very graphic reminder of this recently. WHEN IT IS TIME TO REPLACE YOUR PRESENT VEHICLE, THINK WHAT YOU ARE DOING!! Americans are driving 6000 pound trucks to do the work of small cars. We would be using half as much fuel for transportation if we had Europe's vehicle mix. Moving to more efficient vehicles can only take place gradually and it won't fix things forever, but would sure be a good start.

Comment from John Mann
August 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

I would like to reply to Anne (11:43 am) who wrote that there is plenty of oil and the government should do something to alleviate high gas prices. This is a common thread of thinking and it sends me semi-ballistic, — although I must admit she could be right and I could be wrong. So read the following with prudent skepticism if you will…
(1) My belief based on quite a bit of reading is that – sure, there's plenty in the ground, but the correct question is, how fast can we get it out of the ground? Many existing fields are declining in pump rate rapidly, and if there are not new wells coming on line to make up for that decline, then the total amount available for the market will decline, resulting in higher prices.
(2) I think the government (i.e. we) should impose a steep carbon tax (i.e. on ourselves) – dollars per gallon – to wake people (i.e. us) up, to fund alternative energy, to reduce consumption. However, this populace (i.e. we) is too entitled and not well enough informed (yet) to support this.
(3) Why don't we think about the people who come after us, like our children or grandchildren? Since I am a retired / grandfather this is easy for me to say, but: to hell with our current comfort and our plans and our expectations and so on. If we have to adapt, then let's adapt. Actually, I left the city, built a super efficient house with the proceeds, am building soil (FBO future gardeners, whoever they might be), learning rural / farming skills, getting acquainted with the community (which, being rural, has an amazing array of living skills), forming an Energy Committee, working on a regional land conservation project, and keeping myself as fit as possible. Darn, if I had to have a job I don't know WHAT I would do. Stay in the city, I think.
(4) A good source (considered by some a "classic") is a book by William R. Catton called OVERSHOOT. Suggestion: Try to get every one of your friends to read it. Don't read it yourself, it's painful. Reading the first 2 paragraphs may be enough.

Comment from Kevin Macdonald
August 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm

Policymakers need to get over the idea that public transportation should pay for itself; invest in and expansion of public transportation networks, recognizing that the societal benefits attendant to mass transit more than compensate for the subsidies necessary for the operation and maintenence of these systems.

Comment from Kate
August 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

We need to think beyond cars. Before cars–and TV's–we talked to our neighbors, lived (and invested) in the places we worked. We need to re-examine our lifestyles and adapt, and new technology will not be enough to save us.

Comment from Shannon
August 11th, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Using what we have-wind, sun, water, earth's energy, etc.Incentives and freebies for using your shoes, public transportation, or your bicycle! What about shadowing other countries that don't rely on Oil? How do they do it? Make jobs here by making it a priority! We can put a man on the moon, but can't stop our dependence on oil. Really?

Comment from Connie Charles
August 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Seeing that driving fewer miles (just 9.6 Billion!!! in May) has really had an impact, it seems vital to me to find ways to get people to continue driving fewer miles–not sure how to do this, but it's obviously a huge factor. I know we can do anything we put our mind (and hearts) to.

Comment from Charles Montes
August 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

i recently uped my mileage in my accord. It used to get about 20 in traffic and 30 highway. now i get about 30 traffic and 40 highway. a new technology that has been around for over 50 years now is finally being rediscovered from the hands of the government and big oil. it is called hydrogen assist system. some call it hho.

the install was suprisingly easy. some people call it a scam but again, powerful interests dont want u to have this. the device electrolyzes water using the energy from your car when its not charging the battery, running the ac, ect. this process separates hydrogen from oxygen in the water. the hydrogen vapor is then mixed in with your gas, and burned more efficiently.

yes that is right water helps power your car. after the hydrogen burns, the by-product is water. e.g. water comes our of your tail pipe in droplets. Parts are a little expensive but it pays for itself after a while.

if u dont believe me lookup 'hho' or 'water car' on youtube. you will see many who have already made the conversion. the website i provided is not my website but they really assisted me with getting started with the installation in my car. this fits all cars since all cars use fuel. the whole thing cost me about 350$ but im sure there are better prices out there.

i will most likely add another jar to give me another additional +10mpg. drop me a line with any questions

musashiz222@yahoo.com

Comment from Phil Hinderaker
August 11th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

We have been living in a "fool'sparadise" with cheap oil. It is about time reality has struck. It should force our
society to stop our wasteful burning of fossil fuels which
are needed for more critical products–medicines, chemicals
etc.
I believe nuclear(plutonium)power, coupled with renewable
sources (wind, solar etc)is the most practical solution to
achieve a carbon-free energy economy.

Comment from Walt Terrell
August 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

Why don't we use cane sugar like Brazil does , for fuel, we have the technology, why do deisel engines still use petro. why not use what they were originally designed for cooking oil, used cooking oil that has been raised to the proper smoke point, we have the technology BMWs are being converted all the time, what about painting an entire car in SOLAR NANO-PAINT ?? All these options and more are technologically available and rarely if ever – is marketed for the average consumer. Why Not?? Maybe the Environmental Groups should get together and and design them, the big companies don't seem to want it – it affects their $$ bottom line — we should as members of the Environmental Community spearhead these ideas into action. Thanks for the opportunity to comment. God Bless Ya'll.

Comment from Phoebe
August 11th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

Unfortunately a large part of the U.S. has evolved during the time of cheap energy. Most land developers and communities have been very slow to change the way land is developed. So folks who have bought into "the dream of owning a new home" are still commuting long distances to work. We really need to encourage small, private businesses to start efficient mass transit (Bus, Vans, etc.) to immediately set up transportation to carry these folks from their bedroom community to their work place. People who can are already working from home as much as possible ( 2 or 3 days a week ) and are helping to reduce our consumption of oil.
The cost of transporting goods may end up having a positive impact and bring some business back to the U.S. We need a long term vision and we need everyone to understand how they are effected by and effect the economy and ecology.

Comment from Marion
August 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

More electric cars and public transportation. Also more solar power, wind power where it's safe and cleaning up waste by turning it into energy. More responsible packaging.

Comment from Amy McClintock
August 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

Here are a few ideas: Tear up that grass lawn and plant a vegetable and herb garden; sell the SUV and get a scooter; carpool or take public transportation; walk to the store or to a friends; ride your bike; shower less and wear clothes more than once before washing; dine by candlelight; rise and settle with the sun (keeping lights off); if it's yellow let it mellow–if it's brown flush it down; advocate that solar panels (photovoltaic) be mandatory on all cars and homes; put wind turbines on the top of all high rises and make them green buildings; turn down that AC (why are stores so cold anyway); stop building such huge homes; stop building and/or buying 2nd 3rd and 4th homes—try a vacation rental!; vote for someone who really cares about the environment, our lives, and the planet—not some oil industry benefactor; and lastly for now, live with love in your heart and be confident that we can repair our world!

Comment from tammy
August 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm

Give tax credit to those wo decide to take public transportation rather than their vehicles to and from work.

Comment from Louise S
August 11th, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Nationally, we need CAP AND DIVIDEND, see capanddividend.org
Cap and dividend is a simple, market-based way to reduce CO2 emissions without reducing household incomes. It caps fossil fuel SUPPLIES (which are MUCH easier to measure than CO2 output), it makes polluters pay, and RETURNS THE REVENUE to everyone equally. It’s simple, fair, progressive and market-based.
Presidential camdidate Obama is calling for windfall profits tax on oil companies and rebate to American people. That would be a terrific start.
The next step would be to reduce the amount of oil, coal and natural gas the fossil fuel companies are allowed to sell each year.
The fees paid by oil companies would go right back to the public in cash rebates. Alternative energy would be more competitive. And pretty soon all we will be getting all our energy from free sunshine and wind.

Any cap and trade bill that GIVES allowances to oil companies to let them keep selling fossil fuels is a guarantee of climate disaster. Europe has been using cap and trade and is still increasing CO2 emissions.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Collectively, we can consume much less gasoline and greatly reduce our carbon emissions if we become "hypermilers". (For more info. on how to drive efficiently and green your road trip, please visit EDF's webpage: http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=7910.)

It's difficult to drive efficiently, though, when surrounded by aggressive drivers.

I designed a bumper decal that I hope can become a "national hypermiling symbol". It's my hope that Congress will adopt and recognize this symbol as part of a national, voluntary movement to reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. I contacted all of the members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Congress and asked them to promote this cause; I haven't heard from any of them. I've decided to take this idea to non-profits working to educate the public regarding our consumption of fossil fuels.

EDF — please help us identify ourselves as hypermilers! Encourage folks to purchase this decal and affix to their left bumpers:

http://www.cafepress.com/hypermileUS

In an effort to share the road safely with non-hypermilers, this decal will "warn" others that they're approaching a more efficient driver. Hopefully, it will encourage others to drive more efficiently, as well.

All proceeds from the sale of this decal will go to EDF and other like-minded organizations working to promote this cause.

Don't drive if you don't have to! But if it can't be avoided, become a hypermiler. This is a near-term, very affordable solution that will allow us to make a statement collectively.

Thanks!

Lisa

Comment from paul
August 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

the majority of our oil is used for transportation. So the solution to the problem is going to need to be a combination of several things that address more efficient transportation of people and goods.

1. better mass transportation.
2. infrastructure that supports pedestrians and bicycle commuters.
3. plug-in electric vehicles.
4. use of rail instead of trucks & planes to transport goods.
4. increase gasoline and diesel taxes to support programs above

Comment from Chas Richards
August 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

The coalition that killed GM's electric car (EV1) should be taken to task for that and required to fund its return.
Oil companies should be assessed a windfall profits tax used to fund research and development of ethanol from other than food sources, all forms of hybrid car development, a huge investment in solar generation of electricity, and high speed rail. Emission and fuel economy standards strict enough to force development of alternatives need to be enacted. Co-generation should be a requirement of all new construction where power is generated or used for central HVAC. Not enough has been said about reducing the use of plastics, a petrochemical, especially to produce "disposable" products.

Comment from Sarah Williams
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Reduce consumption – this requires education people about marketing/advertising schemes to get us to buy so many things we don't need (and which don't really "improve" our lives the ways were led to believe); Keep working toward more renewable energy sources; Keep developing cars/buildings/food production/etc that focus on being more efficient and healthy; But Most Of All… Reduce Consumption! We tend to long for the days of our youth when we were carefree and so easily entertained by the simple things – music, an old tree, bodies of water, home-made treats… Many people try to "escape" from their busy lives to go camping. Well, let's live more like we're camping! Play outside, enjoy having nothing to do but sing songs around a fire (ok, that idea needs a lower-carbon-emitting alternative…), focus our time on growing and cooking our own food. Then, when you need a break, or just something different, go to the movies/arcade/mall. We're just living a little backwards right now, is all.

Comment from Bobbie J
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

I have been wanting to get an electric car since the 70's. Now I read from one of the commenters on this blog that he has made one himself.
Charlton Jones
August 11th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Is there any chance you would go into this form of work? I would love to buy an electric car if you would make another one. If not, where do you find information on converting cars to Electric? Maybe I can find someone else who can do this for me.

Comment from andiec
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

In this day and age of advanced technology employers should be forced to allow more work to be done remotely from home.

Four Day work weeks as an alternative should also be mandated.

Comment from Brenda Bryant
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Ask architects and builders to build smaller homes which use less oil and electricity. Install a zone(thermostat) in each room and close unused rooms.
Work closer to home.

Comment from sdavis3398
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Whether we've already passed it or not, we're close to Peak Oil. Our American civilization was constructed on a faulty premise that cheap oil would flow forever. It's a waste of time to point out how our government has failed us in recognizing this and pointing it out. The truth is, we've failed ourselves by neglecting our own civic responsibilities to stay informed.

High prices for oil are only the beginning of the problem. What we're paying today will seem cheap just five years from now. If we listen to Robert Hirsch and Matthew Simmons, we're in some serious trouble. Just imagine the mortgage meltdown that will ensue when gasoline reaches $15/gallon in the US, and you'll understand what I mean.

All of us need to get clear that we've got to use the precious oil we've got flowing today to rebuild how our society works. As Lester Brown wrote in Plan B 3.0 , we've got to, as many other posts suggest, use that energy to (on a wartime footing) construct new infrastructure that will liberate our economy from dependence on liquid fuels for so much transportation in our economy. We'll need those fuels for other things.

It's worth remembering that world population has grown 6 -fold during the age of cheap oil. (30% of which is used for the fertilizers and pesticides that gave us the green revolution) The carry-capacity of the planet is far less than 6.7 billion people without cheap oil.

Comment from ronald long
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

the "elephant in the room" is still overpopulation. Not an easy subject, but we need to address it at some point.

bicycling is a great start. Even here in the supposedly rainy Northwest, commuting by bicycle year round is quite doable.

I'm hoping for a breakthrough in growing algae, both to produce fuel, and remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Thomas L. Friedman of the NY Times has had some great editorials on this topic in the last couple weeks.

Comment from Average White Guy
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Harness all the wind power available in Washington D.C. Between that and the copious amounts of fertilizer being generated there, we should be able to solve most of our "energy problems" without spending a dime!
Honestly! Reading some of the postings and suggestions here is a bit distressing! While it may make you feel good to conserve, and it makes lots of sense on a personal level, conservation and reduced demand are not going to satisfy our energy needs. As the population expands, demand for fuel and energy naturally increases. Expensive technologies like Geothermal, Wind, and Solar power are great, but beyond the realistic reach of the majority of us working stiffs. If I had the money to convert my 15 year old vehicle to run on hydrogen… I'd probably buy a motorcycle instead. There is no magic wand. We need oil, at least for the forseeable future, and utilizing our own domestic supply makes a lot more sense to me than continuing to transfer our national wealth to despots, tyrants, and lunatics oversees in exchange for their oil. Domestic drilling makes sense, and so does Nuclear Power. France, China, and many of our other economic competitors have been building and utilizing nuclear power plants for decades. Not us. We haven't built one in 30 years. Apparantly, we'd rather buy oil from Hugo Chavez!

Comment from louiseharris17
August 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

How do I love the earth:let me count the ways… First we bought a Prius, keep 1994 Camry for short trips in town. Then we had a "keep-fill" clause in our heating oil contract, so we called them and told them to cancel and we will call as needed. (Stick down the tank is sufficient.) We plan to add a room to the house because of tree damage in storms, and add solar panels (southern exposure that will not be seen behind the original roof line.) We compost every thing and have wonderful gardens. I take trains when I can to professional conferences. All of our light bulbs are CF, and we use cloth napkins. We plan trips to store to conserve gas even in the Prius. Buy at local farmer's markets- great here in NC. I take recycleables home from my office for home pickup.I burn shedded paper (occupational necessity) in our woodstove, along with wood from trees felled in storms. WE only have basic cable on TV and regularly threaten to cancel that.

Comment from Jerry
August 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Just mandate the Big Oil Companies to import 10% less oil every year starting 2009 till imports are face out in 10 years.
Mandate also these companies to produce-they have the Capital and knowledge to do it-E85 GREEN GASOLINE in the same amount they reduce in IMPORTS.
No corn or other grains are needed,just GREEN WASTE.We in USA send to landfills more than one trillion tons of Green Waste.One ton of biomass makes 70 gallons of ethanol.One gallon of E85 cost about $2.50.
One midium size plant in construction now in the city of Lancaster,Ca. will cost to build $30 million;will convert 170 tons of waste per day into 3.2 million gallons of ethanol per year.(The Co.building the plant is BlueFire Ethanol).
Projects like this can be replicated thousand times…
Can you see the possibilities?…
Mr.Jerry

Comment from Lawrence R. Decoste
August 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

We need to start thinking green get off the need for oil it is polluting our environment. We need to invest in wind power,solar power, electric, hydrogen and algea oil the technologies of the future. Our planet has many sources we can use to make energy and run our cars & trucks. We need to make more smaller cars and less big gas guzzlers that are good for our environment. If we continue the path we are on our planet will suffer big time and so will we, we need to act fast and use these ideas so that our future is bright for the next generation otherwise human extinction could be a real scenario.

Comment from Marianne
August 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

I had a window replaced that I could not open and had always been covered with a blind since it was so unattractive. Now I can open it to get cool breezes and in the winter I will be able to open the new curtain to get the warmth of the sun.

Comment from rlpfamily
August 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Let your lawns/grass grow a few inches taller; this will take CO2 out of the air and help with global warming and the time you don't cut it as it grows will save gas, though not much unless done by millions of homes.

In our area this means, skip cutting it a week to save grass and raise the mower to the highest height thereafter. For non-HOA- or non-city controlled homes, you might want to not cut your grass at all and let it blow like wheat.

Comment from Mark
August 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Increase the age for getting a driver's license from 16 to 18 years old. This will reduce traffic congestion, save lives, reduce pollution, increase car pooling and reduce consumption of gasoline.

Comment from Mary Handy
August 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Transportation: I ride the bus, drive the speed limit, and reduce trips by consolidating errands and driving tasks. We have 2 vehicles used for different purposes. Small commuter, car which gets most of daily mileage and the family mini van which is still needed for longer trips when family of four and all our pets goes along for the ride.

We try to Recycle Everything possible! NEVER buys bottle water. My boys, know that it’s sin ( at least in my eyes ) to even accept a water bottle from a neighbor. We use tap water and I have a supply of cooled refillable aluminum water bottles in our refrigerator.

Home Efficiencies: Last year we increased attic insulation to R-48, installed exhaust fans and replaced all our light bulbs with compact fluorescents. We have two rain barrels and a small home garden that is producing some of our vegetables. This year we had to replace our HAC unit and although expensive, we selected the highest efficiency rating available 18 SEER. We have installed solar screens on all our windows and created passive solar shading on south-west exposure and we planted more 5 more trees this year.

Consumer Choices: I have been using my own cloth bags for shopping for the many years. We use cloth napkins at home and only buy toilet tissue that is recycled from post consumer paper. I try to support local farmer and organic products as much as possible. I refuse to buy products that have excessive carbon miles. Cat Litter imported from China – how absurd is it that? Grocery stores will sale shrimp from Taiwan (shipped over 8k miles) at half the cost of North American shrimp.

Comment from Melissa Parnell
August 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

I feel that the first step is educating the public. We can't talk solutions to a problem the general public does not know exists. How about an ad campaign which shows all of the petroleum products which our lives are based on, and simple alternatives? Very few people are aware of just how dependent we are on petroleum as an energy source, and a manufacturing ingredient. We need to agree as a society that this is a huge problem first, then solve it.

Comment from viny
August 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

We cannot be controlled by this dirty and dangerous form of energy. The age of narrow mindedness must end for clean alternatives to begin. We must use the energy that nature has provided; solar, wind, and even water. That's right, I came across a site (http://www.WiseH2O.com) which explains how to use water to run you car!

For our safety, for the environment, and for our families, we must all rise up and overcome this obstacle.

Comment from Mike in NJ
August 11th, 2008 at 12:47 pm

We need to fund additional research to bring Daniel Nocera's recent discovery at MIT of an inexpensive catalyst for separating water into its component parts, hydrogen and oxygen, into the home. This has the potential to make our houses into miniature power plants, with no need to connect to the power grid. We'd be able to charge our electric cars from power collected by our own solar cells, stored in water, and re-energized by fuel cells. Read more about it here:
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/print/oxygen-0731-print.html

Comment from Berry West
August 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pm

I do what I have always done: take public transit and ride a bicycle.

Comment from Vudu12
August 11th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

It's quite easy really. Stop subsidizing the oil/energy companies. The price of gas will increase to what it is in Europe (double the price) so currently around $8/gallon at the pump for the cheap stuff. (They also use higher octane for cleaner air so it costs even more.)

This would have to be eased in over say 5 years, with steady monthly reductions of subsidies all the way down to zero. This would give companies a chance to create workplace policy and infrastructure to allow easy and effective telecommuting. And people would have time to restructure their budgets, buy fuel efficient cars, add solar panels, etc.

Comment from Pam Horovitz
August 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

I think we all might learn something from our friends in warmer climates who have alterned their dress codes to attire suitable for hot weather. The days of men (and women) in suits in an air conditioned office strikes me as a custom that should die sooner rather than later.

Comment from friedhar31
August 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

A good thing that a barrel of oil has become so expensive that people are finally looking for an envronment- friendfly solution. Unfortunately, one of the proposed solutions is the electrically driven car. Electricity as energy source is not expensive because it is produced by coal (or gas). But coal is a fossil energy source producing a high degree of pollution and greenhouse gases. It is disastrous for the climate and therefore the price we have to pay for it is much higher than the price of the coal itself. However, should we generate electricity using solar power to produce steam by the method of Concentrated Solar Power of SOLEL, we would at first almost double the price of electricity but save the World from a climate disaster. In the long run, this method may even generate electricity at a lower cost than coal.

Comment from bikejon
August 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

I traded in my 16 mpg SUV last year for a 33 mpg crossover (Pontiac Vibe). I love it! The SUV was a slug; the Vibe is agile and sporty, and it carries plenty of stuff.

I also drive 60 mph on the highway and accelerate very slowly instead of stomping on the gas at green lights.

Comment from navel8
August 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

Simply put, we need major investments in safe, affordable, accessible public transportation systems – and not just within city limits! We need a rail system like Europe's, with state-of-the-art bullet trains traveling on safe, upgraded rails between states and across the country. We need more businesses to upgrade their computer systems so that employees can do most, if not all, of their work from home, or from hub stations closer to where they live. We need to stop packaging everything we buy in plastic and we need to stop manufacturing loads of cheap, plastic JUNK that doesn't last (save in landfills) and that no one truly needs. Recycling of all types of materials, esp. plastics, needs to be mandatory and widely accessible. Research into renewable, alternative fuels that do minimal damage to the environment is a MUST (and from the impact biofuels like ethanol are having on deforestation for crops, crop prices, and food shortages, they're not the best answer). We also need to have fewer babies (people will balk at this, but I think 2-3 children per couple should be the absolute cap – by law). There are too many human beings for this planet to continue to sustain at the rate we are currently consuming resources, and our problems across the globe will continue to increase exponentially if current reproduction rates go unchecked. I'm sure there are a lot more options, but these were the first that came to mind…

Comment from Arpit Chauhan
August 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

The rise in oil prices is very positive for the earth. Due to increasing fuel prices, people will resort to lesser use of fuel to save money. What an irony! When people are told that save energy because it saves the earth, they don't care but if we say save energy because it savers money then they are ready.

Comment from dantesian
August 11th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

In Europe, energy companies offer discounted rates for off-peak usage. I'm just now starting to hear about such proposals being implemented here. Write to your energy supplier and ask them about it. With enough demand, they'll provide it. Also in Europe, water heaters are not kept on constantly–there must be a way to put timer switches on water heaters here as well.

Comment from Kira
August 11th, 2008 at 12:52 pm

1. GARDENS: REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL USED FOR FOOD IMPORTS. Increase food gardens in yards, at schools as educational tools that meet DOE standards, on rooftops. Create more community garden plots for citizens.

2. HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USE: Audit yuor own home for wasted electricity. Unplug unused appliances; change lightbulbs, delamp when lighting is too bright; wash laundry in cold water, not hot; hang clothes out to dry instead of using a drier; use a solar water heater — about 40% of a home's energy use keeps hot water hot 24 hours a day!

3. CONSIDER LOW IMPACT HOBBIES: Do you like to run, hike, paint, play an instrument, read, write, bike, have potlucks, or go on walks with friends around the neighborhood? Try to enjoy things near home rather than driving far away.

4. Buy local products — to reduce fuel used in transportation

5. BUY LESS: It takes a lot of energy to make everything! From mining or farming the contents of the product — to making it in a series of factories — to shipping it around the world to 1000s of store locations — we burn so much fossil fuel in the process. When we shop, we can ask ourselves if it is worth those environmental costs to buy the product we are looking at.

6. Encourage people to car pool or bike together when you are doing something with a group of people.

7. Delamp and change lightbulbs in large buildings (office buildings, universities, etc.). Companies and organizations can have tremendous monetary savings on their electricity bill.

Comment from Bonnie
August 11th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Besides eating locally, we should learn long-almost-lost skills for taking our local foods and making values added products ourselves by the old fashioned low tech methods: how to make vinegar, how to make wine, how to make pasta, how to make cheese, how to make butter, how to make bread, how to grow an organic garden, how to recycle our kitchen scraps into rich compost, how to make juice, to can, to dry foods, to ferment foods, to work leather, make shoes, make baskets…all skills that will be in demand again and can save us transportation costs, from additives put in commercially prepared foods, etc.

Comment from Ron & AmyJo
August 11th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

We used to live in a beautiful valley, but it was a 40 minute drive to work. We moved to town and are now within biking distance to work. The public transit situation is in pretty good shape for us too. We still need a car from time to time, but we need only one car. I'd love to get that down to zero car one day.

Comment from Jamie Strait
August 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

Our oil dependancy is integrated into so much more besides gas/energy. Plastic products are petroleum-based, and take a quick inventory of what's around you and plastics have essentially taken over our earth! In manufacturing we release toxic chemicals, in useage we often are exposed to toxic chemicals (how many people still think it's okay to microwave plastic?), and in disposal plastic sits in landfills and pollutes our oceans and will far outlive any of its users. I've become acutely aware of what I purchase, use & discard every day, and cringe when throwing plastic into recycling bins, knowing most of it will never be recycled…but so much of what we use is packaged in plastics – how do we reduce?
I now re-use even plastic bread bags and any bag or container I can…but still feel overwhelmed and buried in plastic! Just seeing what my family generates, in the form of garbage, while being pretty conservative, still stresses me out – especially when I think of all the homes, businesses and plants that regularily use and discard plastic products. We need to ban plastic shopping bags to start with, and only produce products that can be recycled or which degrade without harming our environment.
As far as oil in the form of gas, energy, etc…our most logical option is to develope alternate enery plans. More than 40 years ago America took the lead and developed a 10-year plan to put people on the moon! If we could do that, why can't we develope a plan, even if it takes 10 years – to break our oil and consumerism mentality?
Also – check out: http://www.storyofstuff.com – everything we consume comes at a premium – We've become a nation of consumers looking for a quick fix and the cheapest bargain – at what cost?

Comment from upgeya
August 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

1) Re-orient priorities: stop warring, start cooperating.
2) ELP: Economize, Localize, and Produce
3) Geothermal – the only sustainable, clean, base-load energy source that has any chance of replacing any significant portion of fossil fuel energy during energy descent. Wind is a possibility if the wind energy can be used to store compressed air in underground reservoir, to be used for base-load capacity.
4) Shift transportation from fossil fuel powered to human powered (bicycle).
5) Deconstruct suburbia and suburban sprawl; turn that land back into farmland.

Comment from Scott Bishop
August 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

I think one of the win-win things we could do it seal and insulate our homes. If there were incentives a lot of folks would get the job done. We would be burning less fuel for heating/cooling. The bills would go down. And a lot of folks would find jobs doing the retrofits. Sounds like a win-win-win solution.

Comment from Marilyn Sanchez
August 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

1. use less plastic, make sure to have recycling stamps on every piece of plastic that IS produced, so precious oil resources dont end up in landfills.

2. have incentives for grocers to carry local and organic foods, to cut down on fuel use in transportation and in oil-based fertilizers

3. investigate into biodiesels, but not from corn, as this raises prices on food even further and pushing more world hunger. algae would make a very good source of biodiesel.

4. tax hard-to-reycle plastics such as stryofoam

Comment from rlpfamily
August 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Reply to the "overpopulation is our doom" folks (bwyg1x, ronald long, etc., etc.). Coming from the Midwest where there is still land we pay to sit fallow even though we have farmed it in the past. The Midwest alone can produce enough wheat to give the entire world bread (even with the current populations in China, India, and Africa). The problem is distribution. For many reasons, I believe the earth can produce enough and to spare for humans and animals, so I disbelieve the overpopulation arguments. Though if we keep polluting the oceans and have to take fish out of the equation, than the spare production of food comes into jeopardy. I will also mean that protein consumption will have to rely on both animal products and vegetable products rather than mainly animal products (beef, pork, chicken) in the richer countries.

Comment from John Gulsby
August 11th, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Don't build any more "freeways" or add more lanes. Just maintain what we have. Spend time, money and resources in city planning and mass transit.

Convert transportation to electric vehicles.

Generate electricity from wind and solar. They are free, inexhaustible and you don't have to burn them.

Comment from Ultima Rodriguez
August 11th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

A comprehensive approach is the answer including: conservation, defining what can be supported with alternative energy sources and those like petrochemicals that cannot, nuclear, wind, solar, biomass, liquifaction or hydrogenation of coal and biomass. We should not overlook the fact that our society is hugely dependent on petroleum and that we should therefore move quickly to allow offshore drilling to provide the energy we need during the transition to alterante sources and for the petrochemicals few realize are the basis for many consumer products, not just plastics.

There is a trade off with just about everything. The use of paper bags in stead of plastic means more trees will be cut down to make paper. The use of wind power clutters the landscape. Nuclear offers the possibility of highly toxic contaminaton of the environment. Coal is a dirty solution. Solar is still expensive and unsightly in the numbers of panels required.

Mandatory green designs for homes and retrofits. Two x six construction with maximum insultation would help.

Comment from Carolyn Moore
August 11th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

I drive a 13 year old Honda Civic VX which was designed to & did get high 40's mpg city/around 60 mpg highway, and still gets low 40's/mid 50's. So the technology has been there for at least 13 years and we need to ban large gas hogs, insist on using smaller fuel-efficient cars, and enforce existing laws keeping only needed large vehicles in the right lanes of roads. A nice side effect will be fewer fatal accidents. Recreational vehicles also need to be banned – side effect: preservation of the wilderness areas without which we will soon suffocate. Like off-roading? Get a bicycle, horse or hike. Like boating? Get a sailboat. Like camping in your RV? Get a tent & some cots. Side effects: less obesity, increased health.

Public Transit – Yeh! I wanted to use it to get to my last job which was a 20 minute drive from home. Turns out it would take 2 hours with one transfer plus a mile walk at beginning, middle and end, and if one didn't make the transfer in time, add another hour. No one has 4 to 6 hours a day to commute when 40 minutes will do it. Then I wanted to make a trip from Phoenix, AZ to Portland, OR (2 major cities) by train. This is the route: Bus to Flagstaff, train to LA, switch to a train to Stockton, bus to Sacramento, train to Portland, and better part of 3 days. Insane!

Get rid of HOA's and put the burden back on cities where it belongs to enforce reasonable rules regarding not letting your home become a weedlot or a parking lot for clunkers & RV's. Then prevent cities from building energy sucking Taj Mahals and mandate they use the money to subsidize placement of solar panels (&/or windmills) on house roofs so each home can be energy sufficient and maybe even contribute some back to the grid. And oh yes, stop the silly snobbery of not allowing people to hang their washing outside in the purifying sunshine or on screened porches in inclement weather.

Just read where they've made a small electric vehicle run by power from a solar panel on the roof through a storage battery – if it runs out of power, you stop for 15 minutes in the sun while it recharges. If we made provision for these on city streets, as we have bicycles (which older people, disabled folks and those with children to transport can't ride) these could be used for those many short errands around town that use so much gas. Sells for $9000.

There are so many sensible things we can do, not just to cope with this "temporary emergency", but to permanently make life better, if people could be educated out of their self-centeredness to see that we need a huge change in our MO if we are to preserve humanity itself – on personal terms, that's your children, grandchildren, and so on. And while we're educating, we need to teach the world about population control, since overpopulation is the basis of pretty much all our current collective problems.

Comment from Jupiterssun
August 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Our garbage habits are really bad we throw away every thing and it just goes to the land fills That is just wrong in every aspect. there needs to be a seperator of the sorts to go thru and organize, and properly recycle, PERIOD. More DRILLING fine but that will not fix are fuel problem OIL is NOT the answer. ? is the desert year round, (country solar).
O and any idea we come up with is gonna cost money SO WHAT!
that is what money is for, To spend, just be smart about it. (gotta spend money to make money), How old school, how about paying back Mother Earth for her allowing you to live here. I don't care who you think you are or what you have done you owe this planet.

Comment from edwardjpeters
August 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

ahh here is my idea consider carefully every time you choose to use energy. there is the chief mechanism toward reducing energy use.I want to begin thinking of the gas I personally get to use when I drive as my demands upon my personal slave, I think this viewpoint can help me be diligent in my use of the car/truck. Would I ask my slave to carry on his back an extra 100 200 or more pounds for the trip to work(I resent the need for my heavy duty chain for my bicycle but feel I must at times use that behemeth)?From now on the car has the tools box and spare,blanket and water alone.I used to hitch hike a lot years ago and those times when I could view miles long views of bumper to bumper traffic leaving metro nyc struck me. Would I ask my slave to hold his 1 or two ton load( i.e. the vehicle) for twice as long because I could deal with the rush hour(s) traffic just like everyone else.
Dear readers get away from your job and home after the damned rush hour(s)Saturday early a.m.They enforce dwi laws effectively now,it is true though that you won't get creamed at 75 mph on the Major Deagan Expwy on a friday afternoon.
The biggest hindrance to dealing with these issues of energy use and global issues of can our world support us lies in one big big thing: we are afraid to give up our attitude that all is well as things are now. Yeah if this fear could be addressed successfully we could truly change. I am thinking we have got to believe that this comfortable future we imagine will just go on is ready to vanish.
What am I asking? Don't show up with the rent next month,there's your fear facing you in the face. The mortgage crisis I believe is symptomatic of people's best plans gone bad.It has such importance as we address these issues.Insulate a home.Keep your electric bill low.Even with my new wife I can probably be amazing but am insufficiently concentrated on it than I need to be.
It is relatively easy to do things once some choices have been made. I believe once earth starts calling the shots,once things get sufficiently bad climate wise ,etc. our choices will be made for us, but for now I believe facing an exciting unknown out of the mainstream, by choice, is the largest method open to a new and better future.There is a great generation's wealth out there now being passed on,to whom I chose ,you choose we all choose.

Comment from Bajar
August 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

the real answer is solar vapor and wind.. the nature has been given these for centuries and we need to take advantage of it

Comment from wickfordbard
August 11th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

1. Public transportation in all cities – no more cars allowed.
2. More local buses in suburbs and light rails to run on solar power.
3. Use hemp as a fuel – it's renewable and I've heard it's non-polluting. Get over our fear of HEMPl
4. Free internet service: so workers can stay home a few days a week and work from home.
5. Solar power on homes with tax-breaks
6. fund alternative fuels instead of big oil.
7.

Comment from Colette LaDue
August 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

We now drive at 55mph on the hwy – even if the speed limit is 65 – saves plenty of gasoline. We also do not go into town unless we are bundling errands – no more one stop only trips. We have also changed all of our household water faucets to 1.5 gal with new areators and even put something called a ladybug on our shower faucet that turns the water off when it gets hot so that we don't waste hot water while we are 'multi tasking' in the morning instead of waiting for the shower to heatup – lots of hot water wasted when we let it run while we feed the dogs…get a cup of coffee etc. We are looking into building our own passive solar hot air collectors for this winter to help cut down on heating the house to – there are lots of plans available on Mother Earth News web site.

Comment from Andy Belk
August 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

Federal and State governments could provide big tax credits/incentives for companies to allow/encourage telecommuting. This would have a triple benefit for folks commuting a long distance:
1) Reduce gas expenses.
2) Reduce time in the car (wasted).
3) Reduce CO2 emissions.

Companies will also benefit as telecommuters will likely feel much happier not spending all that time and money on gas and car travel.

Comment from susanna
August 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

I'm delighted to see gas prices as high as they are, and hope that they will continue to rise. It takes a "crisis" to get us to change our habits. As the price of gas rises, the number of people demanding more and better mass transit, aggressive development wind and solar power, and greater energy efficiency in cars & appliances will continue to increase. Already, fuel consumption is down, the number of road accidence has decreased, and utilization of mass transit has increased exponentially. I think in high gas prices we have finally found the answer to the rhetorical question that we've been asking since the Seventies: "What will it take to make people realize that they must conserve?"
In the short term there is so much we can do to reduce our energy consumption; the list is virtually endless: wash clothes in cold water; hang them on the line outdoors or indoors to dry; replace incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs; turn off the lights when leaving a room; buy more locally grown produce — or plant a vegetable garden yourself; walk or ride a bicycle to any reasonable destination (what's "reasonable" may vary widely: a colleague of mine takes his whole family on 200-mile bicycling vacations); car-pool, take the bus/train/subway; drink tap water (not bottled!)…the list goes on. There is SO much an individual or a family can do to conserve energy — saving money at the same time!

Comment from Roger
August 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

Make a small, four seat, three cylinder car available again at an economical price. The Geo Metro was such a car and could produce an mpg rating of more than 40 mpg. This would be a good alternative to those that can't afford the Prius.

Comment from abinkow
August 11th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

I have a comprehensive solution.

It starts with a combination solar power/mini wind power system on the roof of the house. Obviously, this system would need to be individually configured to the circumstances of the house; a house covered by trees requires more wind power; a house with no trees with more solar power.

The roof configuration electrical generation has two priorities: top off a house battery system, and run the electricity thru a hydrogen/oxygen separation system. This runs on distilled water.

All of the house appliances (including heat, water heat, and clothes washing equipment) run on either eletricity or burned oxygen (where that is practical).

The house battery system only tops off from the community power grid when it's running low. In many situations, it may never need to do so.

The hydrogen is used in the family car(s). These need to be triple-hybirds: Run off of batteries like a hybird, but recharge the hybird from hydrogen when available, and from gasoline when not. (It should also plug in when possible.). This is as efficient as we can get with existing technology.

Obviously, this would be very expensive. But energy costs become almost nil, and the more people doing it would lower the cost.

My problem: I can't figure out how to bring this to the attention of the appropirate people. And I'm not a business person, to get it done.

Comment from Tom Smith
August 11th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

My dad has always shown an interest in renewable energy. Now he is involved in a project that I find very appealing. Instead of using commodities like corn to make biofuel, his project involves algae. The algae requires CO2 and our nation's power plants are under pressure to reduce CO2 emmisions. If biofuel production plants are constructed next to power plants and other sources of CO2, we can turn the CO2 emissions into a positive by consuming it to grow algae for renewable energy production. Please check out the link about Solix. My favorite brewery New Belgium is helping out Solix by donating land and CO2 from the brewing process. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/12/solix_and_color.html

Comment from Terry
August 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

1. We must revise zoning laws to encourage clusters of small self-contained communities over sprawling centralized metroplexes. For example, since big box stores are a reality, why not build high and low density housing along with restaurants and entertainment within easy walking and biking distance. Even homes on the fringe of a cluster would be within an easy walk, bike ride or even short drive with a golf cart or car to more than one clusters centers. With the ability to electronically commute, many people will be able to not have to use cars or public transportation most of the time. Recently in a Meijer store (or Walmart or Target), I thought that if I lived within a few blocks, I could even do my grocery shopping on an as needed basis and not have to run a freezer and even be able to downsize my refrigerator. I could also buy most of whatever else I needed at the same location. If developers were to think in these terms, the profits from sales of residences could be used to help build the big box store and other business buildings while ensuring a customer and work-force base. A big plus would be the increased likelihood of Americans actually getting to know and interact with their neighbors.
2. Stop thinking in terms of gargantuan systems of energy production and distribution in favor of mass production of consumer solar, wind and geothermal production systems in order to bring the prices down. Tax incentives shifted from oil and electric companies could jump start the shift. Or incentives could be shifted to make oil companies take the lead by using their current record profits to diversify into becoming more "energy companies" as opposed to just "oil companies."
3. Imagine a national hub system for express passenger trains similar to what airlines have done. Imagine passenger trains the length of current 100-car freight trains making high-speed express runs from New York to Chicago and other major cities. The passenger-miles-per-gallon would be astronomical. Then subsystems of smaller trains and buses could move people out to smaller secondary hubs.
4. Take advantage of existing infrastructure by placing one, two, or even three or more small vertical wind turbines on every high tension tower within the current electrical grid.
5. Think about how much energy is used in transporting and burying our garbage. We need to find ways to first recover reusable and recyclable materials and then cleanly incinerate the rest which would conserve vast amounts of that energy while creating heat to generate electricity. This may involve rethinking how waste is collected and would lay more responsibility at the feet of consumers, but needs to be done. I could not help but notice when traveling westward toward St. Louis recently that the view of the Arch is obscured by a huge mountainous garbage dump.
6. We must come up with affordable mass-produced systems to generate electricity from manufacturing sources which create large amounts of waste heat. This would cut the bottom lines of those companies
7. As I was writing this an article came on CNN about oil from seeds of the jatropha fruit as a fuel alternative that does not even require refining. It makes better sense to cultivate these kinds of plants that have no other use instead of using food crops like soy and corn to create biofuels. Again the oil companies could take the incentive in this, diversifying their energy production instead of just drill, drill, drill. The capital investment would be substantially less than for drilling, and there would be no dry holes.
8. As we see the images of pollution in the Beijing Olympics, we need to realize how we need to wean away from oil. And with jobs moving away from America, we need to use our vast resources of genius to create new technologies that we export to other countries instead of just buying their oil and manufactured goods. It seems that the role of America in the world economy has become just to be the world's consumer. Even that will grind to a halt if we cannot generate new sources of exports that will help solve the problems of the world as well as our own while bolstering our position as a the strongest nation in the world, doing it in ways other than militarily.

Comment from Francis Parnell
August 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Speaking of energy waste, the International Dark Sky Association estimates that because of light pollution we waste in excess of $10-billion dollars a year just lighting up the sky. Light pollution also releases about 40-million tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere annually. By using fully-shielded lighting fixtures that put light where it's needed, on the ground and not into the sky, turning off all lighting that isn't needed for security, i.e., signs, landscaping and architectural lighting, we could save energy, money, and natural resources. A win-win for the environment, and us too!

Comment from abinkow
August 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

Quick followup: I should mention that the waste product of the hydrogen in the car is — distilled water, which feeds back into the separation system. There might be additional water needed, from time to time (evaporation), but that's easy.

Comment from Fred Beyer
August 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

It's time to do away with thge long haul trucking industry. Move long hual commodities on trains and us short haul trucking to move the goods from rail terminals to factories and stores. We did much more this way fifty years ago. It is time to bring back what was a more energy efficient way of doing business.

At the same time we need to upograde the rail system and switch to electric locomotives across the entire country.

Making the passenger rail system run on schedule with cleaner and more efficient service would provide a truely viable alternative to flying and or driving from one place to another.

Comment from Mark Schuttauf
August 11th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

The first problem we need to deal with is government. When the US gov't gets 18 cents for every gallon of fuel, you start to understand why they don't want it to change very quickly. Any auto executive can tell you that it is relatively easy to make changes for far far superior gas mileage. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association has had several events where gas mileage has been vastly improved by local engineering students. They've had a Prius as high as 107mph. An 1996 Saturn with 85,000 miles that got over 50mph. The technology has been there for quite some time. Since this forum is for ANSWERS and not a continuation of the "blame game" we should concentrate on solutions. Several stop gap measures would make a huge difference. The first should be a mandate that ALL fossil fuel vehicles produced be flexfuel vehicles. Secondly, we need to change how the federal taxes are charged on fuel/vehicles. Charge tax the same for current vehicles while charging by the mileage on any non-fossil fuel vehicle produced. This alleviates the shortage of tax revenue if electric,hydrogen, airpowered, etc vehicles are sold. We should also investigate the sugar-cane methanol from Brazil. It's much cheaper to produce than corn ethanol. The government should also allow tax incentives to service stations who retrofit for flex fuel as well as other types such as hydrogen. This would ensure that millions of hard working people who currently pump gas still have a job. If the economic ramifications aren't dealt with, NOTHING will change. Our government will find it easier to cut ties with oil if they have another revenue stream to replace it. Conservation and exploration are good short term helps, but the country MUST get completely away from oil. It's the only sound policy for our future as well as that of our children. Do we really want to be the first generation that leaves the planet worse off for the next generation?

Comment from Tin
August 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm

I don't understand why McCain is talking drill, drill, drill. The absolute majority of people commenting here have said no to drilling.

Great ideas and comments from everyone.

My idea is to grow non food crops like switch grass, etc., in the medians of the highways and along side the roads. Besides growing crops to make bio-diesel, we could grow crops for fiber and other uses. I see tractors using fuel to cut the grass/weeds down with no productivity only fuel usage. Crazy. At least grow something in the center, if not roadside.

Comment from Aliaa Abdel-Gawad
August 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

For one, an education PR campaign MUST be done to educate the general public that expanding offshore oil will NOT change the gasoline prices (especially anytime soon). It's very discouraging that a majority of the American public (including liberals and progressives believe this); therefore, that is priority number one.

Furthermore, we need to expand wind development. I agree with Thomas Friedman (New York Times) when he wrote, "If only we had a Congress and president who, instead of chasing crazy schemes like offshore drilling and releasing oil from our strategic reserve, just sat down with Boone and Shai and asked one question: “What laws do we need to enact to foster 1,000 more like you?” Then just do it, and get out of the way." [Texas to Tel Aviv - Published: July 27, 2008]

Comment from Holly Dain
August 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

We need to implement a Peace Corp type program where young people could commit a couple years to building the infrastructure for renewable energy sources. The large energy corportations who are experiencing record profits should primarily finance this program as they will benefit from the infrastructure once it is completed. The participants would gain job training and experience in a growing field. They should receive job placement assistance at the completion of their service. This would create jobs, job training and the infrastructure needed.

Comment from katie
August 11th, 2008 at 1:09 pm

i think that combining activities helps out a lot. that means being more organized. l combine my workout with errands-biking 5 miles each way to town to go to post office, library, bank. i take the dogs with me when i need to go grocery shopping and walk them at the beach on the way. we painted our roof so it stays fairly comfortable even on the 100+ days with no air conditioning. when i drive, i drive i keep below 60. i've dried my clothes on the line for the past 2 years.

Comment from olneyca
August 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

We decided to do a vegetable garden and plant some food bearing trees. Our current ag system is heavily based on oil, in fertilizers and transportation over long distances.

I started taking Metrolink to work, and then walking from the train station.

I share stories about the impact of plastic bottles with co-workers.

It's being constantly vigilant to the changes I can make in my own setting, and then sharing that information with others that helps to make a difference. I send letters to elected officials on environmental policies and legislation.

Comment from Mike Seymour
August 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Policy, technological and behavioral changes mentioned above are all necessary, but we also need to get to the root of the problem, which is more spiritual and has to do with people's disconnection in modern society from something essential within themselves, betwwen themselves and others as well as the world at large. As long as this inner void exists in the modern human, the hunger arising from it will always continue to manifest in unhealthy ways–overconsumption, disregard for others and the Earth, social unrest, violence. Peace on Earth comes from inner harmony.

Comment from Linda S Jones
August 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

>Tax credits for individuals to install energy generation on their homes… solar, geothermal, wind… with meters that run both ways. (This has worked exceptionally well in Germany.)
>Make such improvements exempt from inclusion in assessments for property tax purposes.
>Impose a title-transfer tax on the sale of all vehicles based on their mpg rating… and earmark the tax for mass transit.
>Cap the sales taxes on gas to "x" per gallon, and earmark the excess windfall sales taxes caused by high fuel prices for mass transit.
>Some kind of incentive for buyers and builders to reduce the size of new homes and make them more energy efficient.
>Wherever there's already a free-standing cell tower… approval for a wind generator should be fast-tracked.
>Perhaps impose a fee on luxury items that comsume fuel… pool heaters, boat motors, RVs (maybe with a rebate if "permanently" placed in a camp?), off-road bikes & ATMs, etc.
>Allow scooters and mo-peds with limited hp to use bike ways adhering to strict speed limits (for safer commutes).
>Offer more learn-to-ride classes to make it easier for people to get motorcycle licenses.
>Require oil companies to increase refinery capacity before granting additional drilling rights. Require them to use existing leases or lose them. Enforce strict environmental controls on both.

Comment from Wendy King
August 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Many cities and communities have services where bikes and/or cars are shared. Someone needing a car for errands or short trips reserves the car, picks it up, uses it for a set period of time, and then returns it. Other than "renting" the car and refueling/recharging it, and returning it, the driver doesn't have to worry about keeping the car in tune, or any other car maintenance issues.
I also suggest making living closer to transit or destinations more affordable, via home financing/mortgage discounts.

Comment from Rex
August 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Formulate and institute a nationwide "Is This Trip Necessary?"
campaign, aimed at reducing vehicular fuel consumption.

Comment from Jupiterssun
August 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Wow i didn't relize how many, Wonderful People have such GOOD ideas,And how much Thought they have put into it.I'm just confused with why we the people, Don't have a say and the muster to run this country, And keep putting are trust in the elected officials that have come to office for there GAIN and no longer work for the people but work for the Government.

Comment from herb
August 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Oil from shale is plentiful; (estimated competitive cost is $30 per barrel.)

Also, is it not counter productive that people still burn oil for heat?

There is so many other combustibles available!

Lastly, nuclear is the long term solution.

Just get out of the way and the free market of economics and ideas will work.

Comment from Julia
August 11th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Support sustainable, local, organic farming in this country and abroad and end our dependence on petroleum-based fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Comment from TW
August 11th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

All of the above (nearly)
Opponents and ostriches object to many on the grounds that saving 1% of our total energy needs by means of suggestion X makes it near irrelevent. I agree.
Of 100 suggestions above, long term incentivize the 50+ best and watch American inventiveness fill gaps.
50 1% savings is fine by me.
My point is that no one action is enough, but collectively, a basket of actions will be.

So, the "Economic Stimulus" packages that Bush gave out and Obama has hinted, should be tied to energy efficiency. Many efficiency measures are never taken because of the capital required at installation time, even if the long term savings of running costs give a pay back. Why, oh why don't we make this money available *ONLY* for certified energy saving devices?
The psycology is this: If you don't find the motivation (and maybe additional money) you loose twice: You loose the available free government money AND you don't get a new-double-glazed-window or low-water-use-washer, or solar-attic-fan or attic-insulation or solar-water-heater or heat-on-demand-water-heater or partial-reabate -when-trading-in-guzzler-for-smug-car or washing-line or watt-miser or ..
etc etc …. you make the list.

My proto-list is skewed towards home-owners. We'd need to include
many items that would benfit renters, students and retirees.

There's $$ to be made, a planet to be saved.

Comment from Harris Lewis
August 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Solar water heating is economical and effective. Turn up the thermostat in the summer and down in the winter. Stop using plastic bags; they are made from petroleum, and they are not biodegradable. Recycle everything possible and encourage your governments to do so, too. Limit driving to necessary trips and combine errands. Buy local produce.

Comment from halhurst
August 11th, 2008 at 1:16 pm

I've changed my commuting habits now, and bike to work nearly every day. It's been a year since I switched every lightbulb I could find for a CFL.

But I still cook and heat water with gas, and I need my car for shopping and other occasional uses. I can envision these needs being met by installing the solar roofing which has recently become available, in conjunction with a plug-in hybrid. Even without home-generated power, plug-ins would allow alternate energy sources to be used in cars for most of their operation.

Decentralized, distributed generating of power, such as personal solar panels, will never be the darling of the energy industry, because it cuts into their profits. So don't expect it to be handed to you on a silver platter.

In Idaho there is a prototype generating technology project called the solar road, which produces solar power from a paved driving surface. Considering the vast area, both public and private, which is already paved, this is an idea which bears looking into.

Comment from gelacase
August 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Every structure possible should become it own source of energy using wind and solar technology. The federal government should provide better tax incentives for families and businesses to do this. Electric companies should allow users to sell back more electricity from their solar and wind installations than they use.
Everyone needs to conserve electricity. If all incandescent light bulbs were replaces with fluorescent ones the savings would be huge. Better yet, replace all lighting with LEDs. It should be illegal for companies to leave their lights on over night. Skyscrapers in cities do not need to be lit up at night.
U.S. car companies should start making plug-in hybrids with comfortable seating. I hear people complain all the time that they would buy a Japanese hybrid but the seats are too small and hard. Ford, for example could put Volvo seats (more comfortable than your easy chair)in a little hybrid.
Everyone should write to their representatives in congress explaining that ethanol is not the answer, in fact it takes as much energy to produce and ship as it provides. Brazil's energy independence using ethanol comes at the expense of the largest greenhouse gas absorber on the planet: the Amazon rain forest. We should be paying Brazilians to not cut down the rain forest to grow sugar cane for ethanol.

Comment from sandy
August 11th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

want immediate results?

then try immediate govt provision of free mopeds and pd for service for anyone who applies.

does anyone think the oilers would let the big shot thieves who make up the govt controller allow this? they'd rather kill thousands of opponents – foreign or their own citizens.

Comment from neosapiens
August 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Put people to work insulating and weatherizing homes.
Help people who heat with oil to supplement with or switch to solar heat.
Promote national grid-connection standards, tax credits and electricity rate structures that promote small solar, wind and other power generation.
Help businesses and local governments to exploit local biomass resources, landfill gas, etc.
Promote alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles.
Help local, state and federal agencies get alternative fuel vehicles and equipment.

Comment from Curt Sommer
August 11th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

There are countless good ideas here about how to reduce our fossil fuel dependence. The bottom line is that 90% of our transportation fuel comes from petroleum, of which we import 70%, while comprising less than 5% of global population and consuming 25% of global oil production. Is it any wonder BushCo invaded Iraq? We needed to start this dialog 30 years ago to start a smoother transition. Now we must start walking, biking, carpooling, telecommuting etc, etc.

Comment from abinkow
August 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Comment to Tom Smith; A decent attempt, but this would actually INCREASE CO2 emissions. The algae reduces CO2 in the air, it is true — but it also pulls carbon from the water system. When burned, this additional carbon combines with oxygen to creat more CO2 than was removed from the air in the first place.

Comment from Andrew
August 11th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

MORE AMTRAK PASSENGER TRAINS! I can't emphasize this enough. NOW is the time for both the government and the private sector to merge on this idea. We also need to have MORE high-speed trains running from major cities like Chicago to smaller cities nearby (Chicago to St. Louis, Detroit, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul…to name but a few). CREATE SERVICE to smaller cities and towns that are now without (like Rockford, IL; Madison, WI; Iowa City, IA). High speed ACELA service in the Northeast Corridor is awesome; yet we've got to have this widely available in other parts of the nation as well. If America's government can appropriate funding for this damn war in Iraq, so can we also look out our respective front windows and furnish much needed–and long overdue!–funding for both short and long distance passenger trains, in addition to shoring up/replacing aging bridges and tracks. We'd reap benefits in other ways, too: dedication to improving service in a major way would provide jobs for many, many people, and the public's often dim view of trains would improve. It's a no-brainer and should have been done long before this crisis hit.

As for our cars? I love my own but you know, I needed to get my butt out of the seat and onto the bike more than I care to admit, and I'm doing that now more than ever. What I thought would prove both a headache and inconvenience has paid dividends I never gave much thought to. I've lost some weight, feel more alive and healthy, and I've met some wonderful people in the process–folks whom are doing the same thing as I! Win-win-win! It's all about balance people. You don't need the car to drive two blocks all the time.

I saw on the local news here in the Chicago area how Amtrak had SOLD OUT tickets for seats aboard their trains this weekend. When was the last time any of you heard that on the news??? I think it's awesome (and its clear I'm a huge proponent of Amtrak to boot). Proof positive that when faced with hardships, people WILL explore alternatives. We can whip the oil problem, America! Taking the first step is often the most difficult part of it all. Once done however, the rest comes with relative ease. That said, SUPPORT AMTRAK! Give us MORE TRAINS! Hit the bike paths; do some walking! You'll feel better across multiple levels and you'll have contributed to our country relying less and less on oil.

Comment from catehokte
August 11th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

I have seen many new developements for alternative fuel and the government isn't listening. I saw a news article about a new hybrid electric car that was leased out to various citizens and businesses in California. It went over so big because of it's efficiency that all wanted to buy the cars they had. The cars were taken back by the distributer never to be seen again. I have seen an explanitory video on how a dairy farmer converted his manure into methane and powered his entire farm by this fuel conversion. I have also seen the inventor of an algae farm that grows and converts algae to burnable clean fuel. Then we have wind and solar power that is efficient one or the other in most parts of the world, again no one is listening. The government is trying to suppress these wonderful efficient new ways to stop our need for much of the oil, coal and nuclear power we use. We need to keep the pressure on the government and make them change their policies with big conglomerates and demand they invest their billions in profits to some of these proven and presently existing alternatives they all have tried to suppress from the general public.

Comment from Linda S Jones
August 11th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Further to comments by Terry at 1:06 p.m.

5. Think about how much energy is used in transporting and burying our garbage. We need to find ways to first recover reusable and recyclable materials and then cleanly incinerate the rest which would conserve vast amounts of that energy while creating heat to generate electricity…

To "find" a way to do this, we need only look to how Germany accomplishes it. They currently have a shortage of garbage needed to fuel their incineration/energy generation plants.

Comment from Skye
August 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Don't have time to read all comments or leave a long one. Great to see them all, though. Loved the ad that we.org did for the Olympics. Their bipartisan approach appeals to many and has a vision that is realistic. Changing my own habits seems to be the most challenging. Use less, recycle more, support legislative change. Mahalo to all!

Comment from chuck
August 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

stop giving the oil companies tax breaks.
create more bike friendly cities
create a cap and trade system
create tax incentives for renewable energy

Comment from JP Lelarge
August 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

Long term:
1) stop population eplosion which strains ALL resources, not just energy. The "baby booms" or population explosions and the associated consumerism will be man kind's downfall. The Earth cannot sustain this out of control growth. It is time to stop having so many babies.
2) stop building huge (unreasonable) show off houses. Palaces are not needed and wasteful.
3) consume less of everything. Everything manufactured and/or transported costs energy. There is no need to consume so much (except to increase corporate profits)

short term:
1) drive slower. Air (wind) resistance goes up at the rate of the square of speed. Staying at 55mph saves a huge amount of energy.
2) Telecommute, carpool, ride transit

Comment from joyforlife
August 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

Re-instate the 55 mile an hour speed limit NOW, set high milage standards for new gas powered vehicles. Recycle intensely. Enforce recycling in institutions. Mass transit along existing highways and railroads. Bonuses for home produced solar power.Better tax credits for alternative energy vehicles.
This article will blow your mind! Check out MIT's latest discovery, better than a battery for storing solar energy!
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html

Comment from Robert Bohmfalk
August 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

1. If not in a rush, begin driving 55 MPH. 2. We should begin buying more oil from Russia. It would help Russia become more capitalistic. (They have a better chance with democracy than Saudi Arabia). 3. If the U.S. oil companies continue to make obscene profits, we shoud consider natiionalizing them like the other countries of the world does.

Comment from Jessica
August 11th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Invest in clean energy and public transportation. Also, make cities more bike-friendly. (Portland, OR is a fantastic paradigm for a bike-friendly city.)

Comment from samathia smith
August 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND I WALK….TO THE GROGERY STORE, SHOPS CLOSE BY. SPEND MORE TIME ON FOOT INSTEAD OF HOT FOOTING IT IN A GAS-EATING CAR. BRING BACK THE PASSENGER TRAINS….WORST MISTAKE AMERICA MADE…TAKING THE TRAINS AWAY. ALSO MOST SMALL CITIES DON'T HAVE GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE ANYMORE….SO INSTEAD OF ONE BUS OUT THERE GOING FROM CITY TO CITY….WE HAVE EIGHT HUNDRED CARS SPEEDING DOWN THE PIKE. WAKE UP AMERICA….GAS IS NOT FREE AND IT MAY NEVER COME BACK DOWN….SO GET BUSY THINKING OF WAYS TO SAVE WHAT WE HAVE…NOT WAYS TO GET RID OF IT !!!

Comment from James W. Anderson III
August 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

There are a lot of great ideas posted so far, and some pretty whacko ones too, but of course you get that on the net. A great thing many people forget is that many of these ideas also save you money while reducing environmental damage, so we all win.

I personally have worked on solutions to these problems for over 20 years and have been trying for some time to get investors to pay attention to the fact that there are very workable and profitable solutions that can be built very quickly, generate good clean renewable energy, good profits, and provide jobs. See http://therealmsoflegend.com/eco.htm

I would like to mention that there are indeed people in congress and the senate who do listen. I have spent a lot of time in discussion with the staff of both houses in relation to the recent energy bills, and although they and I would have liked to push for more, there is still the problem of needing to compromise to get laws passed, at least until there is a significant increase in political pressure from you, the people.

It is important to realize that one thing we do not need are single source solutions, we need diversification and localized power grids so that we can use what works best in a given area and not be so much at the mercy of large multinationals and politicians who are not serving our best interests.

Some people also do not seem to know the difference between ethanol and methane/methanol.

Both are very old natural process and can be greatly enhanced with appropriate application of technology.

Ethanol is a fermented and distilled produce of aerobic bacterial decomposition. It requires a lot of energy to distill it from the mashed up material they ferment. This alone is the single biggest factor in why ethanol is so inefficient as a fuel and takes almost twice as much energy overall as just using a gallon of petroleum.

Methane comes from anaerobic decomposition. It bubbles out as a gas but can be converted to a liquid.

Methane digestion has been around since the first swamps and also comes from the digestive tracts of many animals.

It is also what makes up the major part of natural gas, so we already do burn a lot of methane.

As has been said, we should be harnessing methane production from landfills and many places do, as well as what comes form old coal mines, but these methods are not as efficient as they could be.

There is a much more efficient way to make vast quantities of methane using the sewage and other organic wastes that are produced by our society and which amount to millions of tons material that are simply thrown away each year, costing us money for disposal as well as representing various environmental impacts.

Literally our society could make billions of dollars of cheap energy just from the organic material we throw away every day.

This too should not be considered the only answer but should be used in cooperation with the best of other renewable technologies. For example, the residual organic material after the digestion process is greatly cleaned up and sanitized and makes excellent fertilizer which can be used to restore damage soil such as old strip mines and allows us to grow biodiesel crops on that land.

There are many answers and the best plans will use several that work in cooperation to enhance the overall viability, profitability and benefit to the American people, the other citizens of the world, and the ecosystem as a whole.

Our system is called the ORB system, Organics Reprocessing and Biofuels and is also part of the Greener Ohio Sustainability Plan.

The bottom line is that the system can replace most sewage facilities and many landfills or work in cooperation with existing ones, and pays for itself in three years while making a lot of renewable and clean energy.

There is hope, but the toughest thing so far is getting the word out and finding real investors because frankly all the attention has been going to other answers that cater to the specific interests of people who get the most media attention.

Comment from Nina
August 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

Steps towards reduction of oil consumption through a relatively gradual substitution have the problem that we may just overuse another harmful resource or we will free up more oil to be used more quickly in different ways. We need to use the oil shortage as an excuse to rework our infrastructure, so that oil is no longer the cheapest and most obvious way to do everything.

This means that we need a swift expansion of infrastructure that is not primarily dependent on fossil fuels– train lines for shipping and inter-city transportation, much more localized wind and solar infrastructure, better public transit and non-motorized transportation infrastructure, housing financing and development incentives that weigh toward smaller dwellings that require less fuel to heat, and decreased incentives for fertilizer-intensive conventional farming techniques.

Comment from randy thill
August 11th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

We all know in our hearts what to do. some, tho, feel money will compensate. It doesn't. Even if we can afford to do otherwise, we must drive less and walk more. Donate to ways that are developing alternative energy. Buy into experiments that cut the use of gasoline in our vehicles and fossel fuel in our kitchens. Buy locally and calculate real costs of what you purchase rather than just the dollar cost. Turn the heat down in the winter and allow it to be warmer in your home in the summer. Turn off lights and appliances when not using them. Use Mass transit whenever possible. Give friends rides so two cars aren't going to the same place. We have been told all our lives how to do these things..many think it meant LATER. Later doesn't help. Do it now. Of course, we would do well to boycot gas-guzzeling vehicles and encourage inventions that creat engines that rid us of dependancy on fossel fuel. And do not be fooled. Electricity is a wolf in disguise! Using atomic waste is not an alternative. Using clean energy is! Let's all do it!

Comment from neosapiens
August 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Start a national education campaign to make it chic and patriotic to grow some of your own food, buy local, shop at thrifts and donate what you aren't using.

Lower the speed limit. That worked the last time. People groused about it but it DID work. It does save fuel and it does it right away, no gimmicks!

Double the efficiency of big rigs. Rocky Mt. Institute has good ideas on how to do this.

Promote hybrid and natural gas delivery vehicles. These are readily available technologies!

Comment from Virginia Woolridge
August 11th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

I support a local group that works through my states legislature for smart growth (including mass transit). They bring together planners, citizens, environmentalists, developers and our representatives in the state legislature.
I think the federal gov't should give incentives to support more individual solar development to get the industry up and running, with better price points for home owners.
Additionally, I would like to see all of the malls across the nation cover heir roofs (and/or covered parking) with solar panels.
At home we are beginning to grow our food and buy as much locally as we can. I use a clothes line for drying and other measures as well.
Thanks for your work!

Comment from Sharyn Beach
August 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I am not great with technology and probably cannot offer better technical suggestions than are given here, except to say that I do not think we can solve this crisis without extensive investment in clean, safe, efficient public transportation. Making better cars is important, but not enough. The world cannot sustain individual car ownership for every citizen. An important part of reaching this goal is changing our values. It will be difficult for many to accept this until we all understand that transportation is just that – it's a way to get from point A to point B; it is not an extension of our identities.

Our communities should be designed to truly meet our needs for healthy food, community, comraderie, and meaningful citizenship. How I would love to live in a place where I could walk or ride a bike to a small grocery or produce stand provided by local farmers and only buy enough for a couple of meals and eat everything fresh. Less storage, less refrigeration, less fuel use, more interaction with our neighbors.

So much fun to read all of these ideas.

Thanks!

SBeach

Comment from Lynn Vincentnathan
August 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I'm just waiting for affordable electric cars or plug-in hybrids to come out so I can drive off my 100% wind-powered electricity from Green Mountain Energy. [[Of course, India, Europe, China, and Japan have had EVs for years...only Americans can't have them; see WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR -- for one, the car companies, who don't make much money off servicing them, since they are very cheap to run and maintain.]]

Since the 70s energy crunch we've been living within 1 or 2 miles of work & shops, turning off the engine in drive-thrus (& ordering veggie burgers), and many other things.

Realtors tend to take home buyers to the homes that make them the most commissions. Home buyers need to be extremely strict about sticking to homes within 1 or 2 miles of work (if other home specs can be met within that radius). Then they might even be able to offset some car-driving with walking or cycling, which could improve one's health (referred to as "tunneling through" in NATURAL CAPITALISM – http://www.natcap.org ).

We don't need to drill for more oil. We need to think, act, and reduce our oil consumption. We need to stop being "car seat potatoes."

I'm also hoping to get involved in biofuels from non-food sources. Like the moringa tree. We have lots in our back yard. They grow like weeds, shooting straight up 30 feet in a couple of years; grow from branch cuttings or seeds; can be grown in poor soil, drought, and flood conditions; they die down in a killing frost, but shoot back up 30 feet in a couple of years. I think fuel can be made from their seeds and from the cellulose of their pods and branches. The leaves can be eaten as spinach, and are medicinal. Leaves can also be used as cow fodder, increasing milk production by one-fourth or more. They take up very little horizontal space, and can be grown around food-crop fields.

Comment from Stefanie Gandolfi
August 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

How about installing a time display on traffic lights showing how long the light is going to stay red, similar to the timed "walk/don't walk" signs going up in many cities? That way, drivers can turn off their engines, rather than sit idling for minutes at a time.

Also, why not require all new or remodeling multi-story parking structures to install solar panels on the roof? Sounds like good "carma" to me!

Comment from haikuza
August 11th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

Has anyone heard of Trevor Field's Play Pumps, or Raj Pandian's Swing Generators? It's the coolest thing. Inventions use playground equipment & all that natural kid energy to pump water generate electricity. We could get our kids off Ritalin (sp?) & harness the power!
Can't find a proper link to Pandian's work, but can google him.

http://www.pbs.org/…/2006/09/playpump_projec.html

Oh, & don't forget to inflate your tires!:)

Comment from Holly
August 11th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

I find it obvious to reduce gas prices as well as global warming is to implement additional rural public transportation to connect to metro areas. I was staying in Front Royal, VA, precisely 60 miles west of Wash DC on 66, and there is NO consistent public transportation. This is becoming more and more of a commuter town, and I find this lack of transportation very odd. Furthermore, there is NO public transportation connecting DC to its main airport – Dulles Airport. Very strange, indeed, when our nation's capital does not even have this source. If we had more public transportation that was consistent and usable connecting rural areas to metro areas, this would allieviate much of the pressure for each commuter to own a car and thus cost more and pollute the air more.

Comment from Kathryn Barnes
August 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

I believe if the future is to exist at all, that it is time that the people of the world either go backwards in time, and live simply and humbly on the earth in a natural way as the Amish do or as the Tribes, or to develop wind and solar generation systems to retain the quality of life the "civilized" world has come to know.
If we wait until global warming has destroyed the world, or oil runs out, this will be much more difficult to achieve than now. Nuclear energy is NOT the answer…neither is war over oil, neither is desperation.
Electric cars could run on plug in stations of an internal grid from clean….wind, water, solar, geothermal…sources…as could everything else. There is no excuse for the lack of interest or development….and this should all be decentralized, not run by some mega corporation or world power entity.

Comment from smulcahy
August 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

The technology to run a combustion engine on water is out there. There was an article about a high school auto mechanics class that converted an old Ford pickup to run on water, it was front page news one day and never referred to again. A man in the Phillipines runs a Honda Accord on water, but the government asked him not to market his idea because it would ruin the economy. Now Japan has a water car, but no plans to market it over here. People are losing their ability to get to work and support their families because of the price of gas. If we would convert our engines, imagine how much pollution would not occur, yes, it would knock the wind out of the sails of the drilling, oil and refining companies, but they have been knocking the wind out of our living standards for years. The combustion engine killed the horse drawn wagon, it's time we moved on.

Why when we are being told the advantages of switching our homes to solar and wind power, is the government removing the tax incentives to do so? A new solar panel that does not use silicon and is more efficient, and way cheaper is coming on the market without any help from our government, however Germany has ordered enough panels that the company is backlogged for at least a year.

The truth is that our government does not want us to be energy independent, we don't have lobbyists that throw millions of dollars around to get our politicians to vote for our interests.

Comment from Bruce Bales
August 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

The January Scientific American magazine contained a pretty complete plan for this, including lots of wind and solar. 30,000 square miles of solar in the southwest U.S. Many wind farms throughout the midwest.

We also need to add taxes to the use of carbon-based fuels to encourage going to electric and public transportation. A stiff gasoline tax would be a good start. The tax would help to pay for subsidies for the development and deployment of wind and solar devices.

Development of plug in electric vehicles should be encouraged.
bruce

Comment from snorklmike
August 11th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Actually, there is a quick fix to this dilemma. Have GM and Ford ressurect the electric car. Ever hear of the DVD "Who Killed The Electric Car?" ? Rent it! The technology existed in the 1990's, and with lithium batteries, would be even better today. Try Googling Tesla Motors. They manufacture a high end electric car right now. There are people in this country that own electic vehicles that recharge from their own solar panels. We have the technology people! In fact, the first electric car was built in 1903! We also have the technology for solar and wind power! What we don't have is the will power to back away from an oil based economy! Who's got the guts to stand up to big oil? That's the real question. The problem is solvable, and it's solvable now!

Comment from Brian Colandrea
August 11th, 2008 at 1:40 pm

We need to maximize alternate sources of energy. For example, there should be offshore platforms yes, but not for oil, these platforms should be covered in windmills and solar panels. The area beneath the platform can be designed as an artificial reef to help fish stocks. in addition to energy these should help boost local economies by providing jobs as well as recreational oppoertunites (fishing). Geothermal systems, wind, and solar systems should be encouraged nationwide with tax incentives and governmental assistance. Also, other fuel sources such as ethanol may be appropriate to fuel public fleet vehicles, such as municipalities, schools etc. We need to demand these changes from our elected officials.

Comment from James W. Anderson III
August 11th, 2008 at 1:41 pm

I agree with Nina too. Housing accounts for roughly 40% of the energy use in the US, mostly for heating and cooling and yet over 90% of this can be eliminated by better designed houses and structures.

Until we can each and all manage to move to such better structures though every step you can take to reduce energy consumption will help us all out, and buy us more time as well.

Reduce the use of the heating and air conditioning as much as you can, insist on good landscaping that cuts cooling requirements as well as a proper overhang on windows and porches to keep the sun out during the hot months but still allow it during the cold months.

The move to CFL (fluorescent lights) is a good start for some people and eventually LED based lighting will be even more energy efficient and cost effective.

Earth bermed and other passive solar structures will help a great deal as more of them are built but this will take time.

Of course had people listened to people like myself back in the 80s and 90s when we were lecturing about this stuff then none of us would be in the situation we are in now.

Comment from Tina
August 11th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

This is not new, but had been forgotten and only now that gas is so high does anyone care. Doesn't anyone remember the 70's and the environmental moment? NO! Forgotten in the 80's and 90's when trucks are exempt from emissions and everyone started buying them. Oh what about those Hummers? Monster trucks? Gas guzzling cars? Not one ad for the last 10 years even mentioned "good gas mileage." If you don't think this was by design your not paying attention. Houses are bigger, traffic is worse and kids ain't learning in school. I suggest raising the driving age to 18 yrs. Exponentially, each year millions of teenagers get their license and flood the byways. Our disposable society is coming to an end….it's about time!

Comment from f5mando
August 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Buy (or build) an HHO (Brown's Gas) hydrogen generator system for around $100 and install it in your car/truck. Repeatedly confirmed, proven results show you WILL increase your gas mileage by between (conservatively) 30% and 80%. Through electrolysis using only tap water, we generate hydrogen (separated from the water) which is delivered to the fuel system via a rubber tube.
If we all do this, we will reduce pollution (individually and collectively), and reduce iol consumption.

Comment from happihiker
August 11th, 2008 at 1:47 pm

There are a few simple things I've been doing for years to reduce oil use:
(1) Use canvas bags for shopping — mostly for groceries, but more recently for other stores as well.
(2) When I have to drive to stores, I plan a trip that includes multiple stops, rather than making several trips.
(3) I pay extra for an electric supplier that provides electricity from renewable resources.
(4) Carpool with friends for both business and social activities.
(5) Buy local produce when available

For bigger things, how about eliminating subsidies to Oil companies and increasing taxes on oil products so that other energy sources become more competitive pricewise.

Then, use the funds from the oil taxes to:
(a) develop more efficient energy methods from renewable resources, both on a large commercial scale and for individual use of methods like solar or windpower.
(b) subsidize individual installation & use of renewable resources for home use.
(c) develop efficient electric-powered vehicles for both long and short trips

Finally, lets let our local state and federal government representatives know that we don't want/need more oil production, we need to eliminate our dependency on oil by using other sources of heat and energy

Comment from charlesyankel
August 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

I drive a small, fuel efficient car, a 1995 Toyota Tercel with a manual transmission. By driving in a reasonable manner, within the speed limits, anticipating traffic lights and congestion, and maintaining my car, I average 45 MPG on my daily commute to work. I have gotten over 50 MPG on highway trips. We must all do our part to conserve all forms of energy. I can do better, we must all do better.

Comment from alan
August 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

American business can quickly reduce our dependency on oil by modifying the traditional working hours and allow more use of technology that allows workers to work from anywhere.

Stop using archaic working hour rules from the 18th century.

Changing the traditional 9-5 work day, 5 days a week to something like a 4 (10 hour day)work week would be a significant change. This could also help increase the employment numbers as more people would need to be hired to cover 5 day work weeks.

Another would be to allow upgrade workers computers to allow for audio/video/file sharing/instant messaging conferencing via VPN and SSH security technologies. This alone would cut down on the traffic and impact the demand for oil which in-turn would drop the price and allow for the so-called work/life balance to really take affect. (We are in the 21st century after all)

These measures could be instituted immediately per business.

Comment from ptferraro
August 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Forty years ago, it was all about flower power.
Today we welcome the wonderful world of sun power.

Regardless of the cost you incur when you install PV's, the feel-good part is priceless.

And if you can combine solar and a plug-in car of some kind, you will feel even better and increase your return by the amount you save on gasoline.

I have solar water and power on our home.

The power panels were installed at the end of 2003, and reduced my power import by 50%, and saved me $600 per year. But I also add $600-800 savings on gasoline, as I drive my neighborhood electric vehicle about 2000 miles per year, and my gas-powered car gets only 10mpg with cold starts in the city.

I have two meters on my house. One gets standard 3-phase power (220 volts) and still powers my HVAC and electric oven. My average bill from the standard meter averages about $50/month. My house was a duplex when first build is the reason I have two meters.

The other meter is a time-of-use meters that measures net energy usage and instantaneous power readings into or out of the grid.

I do not have the Fat Spaniel Technology on my system for online monitoring, but if you like to see lots of data, go for it. Here is a neighbor’s link if you want to see how it works:

I have 36-100 watt panels on my roof, facing southeast on a 4×12 slope. The incentives from CA Energy Commission were better than they are now, but still worth getting. The State is getting the peak power it needs, right where it's needed so the tariffs are generous for peak of day export to the grid, over 30cents per kwh, while off peak rates are abut 8.5 cents/kwh

The result is I build a credit of about $100 during the period from May-Oct, which pays for about the first 1000 kwh that I draw from the grid during evenings and winter. I usually use about 600 kwh in addition to the first 1000kwh, which costs me $5/month, which happens to be the minimum amount billed each month by PG&E.

Hopefully, my experience will help other reach a positive decision to install PV's and maybe even a solar water heater. The EV options may not be what you'd like for transportation, but I have found the GEM good enough to get me going and works great as a vehicle to use in downtown San Jose.

To read more ideas, check out my blog at:
http://neverthirstpatferraro.blogspot.com

Comment from Angela Dube
August 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm

I personally have sold my car and ride my bike and use public transportation. I realize this is not an option for everyone as some are physically incapable of riding a bike long distance and public transportation is not yet efficient in the US. However, using more fuel efficient vehicles and driving slowly goes a long way and can save a lot of fuel. In general I support the further development of public transportation and use of low emissions vehicles. Some cities already have 0 emission buses.

Individually people can reduce their spending in other places. Grow a small vegetable garden. I highly recommend getting rid of your lawn to grow vegetables: they take much less water. If you don't have the space, try growing vegetables in pots in your windowsill. Not only is it cheaper, but it tastes better, too!

Comment from kim
August 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

stop buying stuff!
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Comment from Jeff
August 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Wre need cars with better gas mileage,More hybyrds,and for renewable sources of energy!

Comment from Cheryl
August 11th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

In hot cities, build shade shelters topped with solar panels that tie into the grid. Phoenix needs all the shade it can get; they want trees, but solar shading along the streets would both make electricity and create cooler sidewalks, without requiring water and maintenance.

Comment from eaverdugo
August 11th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

One thing I have learned from the changes in my life- I am working in a profession now that pays less than my previous one- is that it is easier to cut back than to find more money to pay higher prices. I now take public transport, more often go to dinner at a restaurant that is within bicycle distance of my home. I am essentially contracting my lifestyle and I do not find my life wanting, rather I find it to be enriched. This may sound oversimplified, but it amounts to simplifying your life.
All people in this country are going to have to make do with less, to sacrifice something for future generations. I do have faith in technology, but technology moves in unpredictable ways and we cannot bank on hope, especially when petroleum does have valuable uses that make it worth conserving. We also need as a planet to address population as an issue that threatens our existence. It is a difficult discussion to have because it is an issue central to our humanity, but it is a root cause of the the shortage of all our resources- food, oil, water, minerals- and the source of some of our biggest challenges- pollution, environmental degradation, species decline, global warming, etc. It is the elephant on the global room.

Comment from ennisd1
August 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

Carpool if you can. By Hybrid, Alternative Fuel cars, that run on sustainble/renewable sources such as corn. Urge our government to force car makers to produce more fuel efficiaent cars and Also produce cars taht run on renewable & sustainble sources. Urge our government to paln more ways to run electricity by wind or solar power.

Comment from Margaret Whiting
August 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

All of the energy needs of the United States can be met from a combination of renewable energy sources along with more energy efficiency. Lets use 20% wind, 20% solar, 20% geothermal, 20% energy efficiency and the remaining 20% can be from a combination of newer energy sources like energy from waves in the ocean, biomass from switch grass, etc. See what they are doing in Germany (working toward 100% of their energy from renewable energy sources) by viewing this video: type in these words on google "Taking germany to 100% renewable energy"

Comment from susan1
August 11th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

If every American reduced their consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy our oil consumption would be drastically reduced. Some sources estimate that more than one-third of all fossil fuels produced in the United States are used in animal agriculture.

Unfortunately for most Americans, government subsidies support wasteful corporate agribusiness. In addition, our Federal Food Assistance and School Lunch programs depend heavily on commodity food items from the meat and dairy industries. We need to demand that USDA policies promote less energy-intensive (and healthier) food choices.

Comment from AHAlexander
August 11th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

The long term solution is to rebuild our rail and public transportation networks. In most areas of the country, the configuration of the community and the lack of rail and public transportation alternatives demands use of an automobile.

The need for an automobile is evident in the patchwork of "transportation solutions" addressing the needs of the handicapped and elderly.

So long as the primary means of transportation is the automobile, we can only achieve modest reductions in oil and gas consumption.

Comment from Wm. von brethorst
August 11th, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Force our regulatory and licensing beauracracy to stop holding back use of electric cars and trucks. Every electric car company I have talked to is being held back by licensing and authorization issues even though they already meet all road requirements. In Montana you can only drive 35mph on roads, which will get you killed here.
Also, stop pushing only grid tie solar and wind system with no energy storage-battery technology is here and ready to go right now-we use it every day.

Comment from Jean Standish
August 11th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Unfortunately, the Bush administration refused to develop a coherent energy program during his 7 1/2-year tenure. In 2005 President signed into law the Energy Policy Act. This act failed to lead America in a new direction on an energy policy that reduced our oil dependence, invested in clean energy technology and curbed global warming. We are now paying the price for this irresponsible policy. President Bush's decision to ask Congress to drill in ANWR and end the federal ban on offshore oil and gas drilling along much of America's continental shelf is a terrible idea, and his arguments supporting this policy are completely specious and dishonest. Drilling in these areas will not appreciably increase the oil and gas supply and will definitely not solve the present problem of high gas and oil prices. A realistic energy policy must be implemented with short-term and long-term goals, such as a strong emphasis on recycling; setting strict cafe standards now, not later; mandating and financing research into alternative fuels. Also, alternative sources of energy–like solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and, some day, fusion–are in a better position than ever to receive the kind of investments they need to advance. This administration has been derelict in its duty to press for these initiatives. An entire industry can be developed in the manufacture and implementation of alternative sources of energy. Also, oil subsidies, in the form of tax breaks, must be eliminated and the companies should have to pay the billions in royalties they owe for drilling leases. The money from these subsidies and leases could be used in developing alternative energy programs.

The Bush administration has been dishonest about the drilling leases available to the oil industry. The argument for drilling in ANWR and resuming offshore drilling in the United States is totally misleading. Roughly three-quarters of the 90 million-plus acres of federal land being leased by the oil companies onshore and off are not being used to produce energy. That is 68 million acres altogether, among them potentially highly production leases in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska. These leases should be exploited before the oil companies are allowed to get any more. There are suspicions that the oil industry's main objective is to stockpile millions of additional acres of public land before the Bush administration leaves town. Why aren't the American people aware of these leases? The bottom line is that there must be an honest dialogue about an energy policy not political pandering.

Of course, the American people must change their lifestyle in order to conserve energy and natural resources. For too long we have been thoughtlessly profligate and wasteful. We use a quarter of the world's resources, which is unsustainable. Congress could play a role in the implementation of conservation of resources in partnership with the American people.

Comment from revdrjudearnold
August 11th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

OIL FROM ALGAE VIDEO – IMPORTANT

20,000 gals per acre per year, of useable fuel oil. 1/10 of New Mexico could supply all of U.S.
needs. Video shows a prototype vertical process in greenhouses, speaker tells how it's done, sorta.
Last line is the New Mexico comment. Some of you may have seen this already. IMO,
a good one to keep circulating, keep it current so commercial "will" to do this can grow in the
public consciousness.

http://cc.pubco.net/www.valcent.net/i/misc/Vertigro/index.html

Comment from Ruth Remple
August 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm

The first thing we need to do is demand that the people in our government serve the people and not corporations! Our present administration has sacrificed respect for the law, scientific integrity, and public health for corporate greed and pursuit of private profit and personal power.

In Bush's budget proposal for fiscal year 2009, they cut $500 million from renewable energy and energy efficiency programs while increasing funding for fossil fuels and nuclear energy by $350 million.

We need to stop subsidizing the nuclear and coal industries. The Nuclear industry is very expensive and the waste it creates we do not know what to do with. It is time to let wind and solar have a chance!

Those subsidies should be used to help people implement solar and wind in their homes. And also help to replace inefficient cars with hybrids.

Our resources need to be managed. We need to demand that currently available pollution reduction technologies are used at all of our power plants across the country. We must also demand that these plants operate within our state permits. As it is now, they are allowed to pay fines and continue to pollute.

There is money to be made from a new process in plants that burn coal,that uses trapped ash, and the CO2 they emit creates a lightweight building material. This new process converts much of the CO2 into stable carbonate materials. Each concrete block can permanently store over a pound of carbon.

We need a new optimistic strategy for clean energy. New technologies will create jobs and new products.

And now for the individual things we can do.
Stop using plastic! Everything we buy is wrapped in Plastic!
Drive fuel efficient cars and take public transportation. and simply drive less.
Unplug computers and appliances when not in use.
Make sure you buy the wind energy from our power plants when available. That is available NOW!
Educate ourselves! If we do not learn about our rights or our system of government we risk loosing the checks and balances that our founders put in place. And then demand that our elected officials do what is right for the many over the wealthy.

Let's aim high! We are in charge of our destiny and we owe it to our children to rise to the challenge.

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

What we need to do is put the oil companies out of business by turning our efforts to solar and wind powered energy (renewable energy not dependent on anyone other than ourselves). That is how you break the dependence on foreign oil (the majority of which we get from our big, friendly neighbor to the north, not the middle east or south america), and not by druilling for more oil. That is a concept developed by big oil and 2 oilmen who run this country right now to keep themselves rolling in money. For example, Jay Leno has a big garage for all his vehicles that is powered by a wind turbine (not a big 3 blade wind mill type, but a circular tube with holes and the slats are angled to catch wind from any direction). Daryl Hannah lives in a house off the energy grid, and her car is powered by the waste oil from fast food restaurants that help make Americans overweight. Americans need to consume less food, slim down, start using solar/wind power for houses, and develop cars that do not need electricity from a plug but get their energy from the sun and wind. I have a concept for a wind powered car that creates its own energy if you can get it moving, and would hopefully create enough energy to keep itself going.

Comment from Patty Rowen
August 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

I think that rebates and incentives for drivers to include $100 voucher for a car tune-up along with a "gas guzzler" retirement program are great ideas. Also speculation in oil markets is a real problem. It artificially inflates gas prices. We need to establish position limits, better define differences between real commercial oil users and speculators, and close loopholes.

Comment from Carol
August 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

Every person (and that is not an exaggeration) I have spoken to regarding this topic is interested in seeing trains being used for transportation. We used to have them running everywhere. The wonderful thing about using trains is that train tracks already run through nearly every city and small town in this country.

As far as what I have done to cut back on gasoline consumption, I have cut back on driving a lot. I stupidly used to make separate trips to town for different things. Now, thanks to being educated about global warming by public television programs like NOVA and other documentaries as well as web sites like this one, I have really made an effort to cut back on wasteful driving. Now my husband stops at the grocery store on his way home from work to get meals, rather than making a special trip! Or, I will swing by the post office on my way home from work to get the mail, rather than going at a different time during the day. Also, I've been working to raise the awareness of family and friends — to extend to them that we should cut down on gas consumption because it's the RIGHT THING TO DO. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

If any of you are interested, maybe check out http://www.moveon.org regarding some of the big oil/offshore drilling political talk that's been going on. MoveOn is a group that believes that we all can work together & send a message to Big Oil that they are not going to scare us into voting for another Big Oil puppet like G.W. (Lord help me, I'm leaving this country if we do.) Check it out.

Comment from Deirdre Gill
August 11th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Plastic bags are made from petroleum and natural gas and use up 12 million barrels of oil every year in the US. Always bring your own bag!

Comment from hemppatriot
August 11th, 2008 at 2:05 pm

If we are going to strive to lead the world in clean, annually renewable resources, what better way than to plant about 40% of our nations crops with industrial HEMP! It is one of the Earth and mankind’s most beneficial plants. Hemp actually helps the soil, instead of taking everything out of it. Plants will help to curtail the "green house gases," by means of photosynthesis, making oxygen out of the carbon dioxide. A similar process to the production of ethanol from corn can be utilized with hemp; making us an entire nation ran from its OWN resources. Think about it. HEMP FOR VICTORY!!!

Comment from donchild
August 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Years ago, I saw a bumper sticker, "Burn carbohydrates, not hydrocarbons." People need to take personal responsibility for their own carbon footprint … live near where they work or vice versa, or be willing and able to do the commute without a personal car. Make kids walk to the local school again, as they did a generation ago. And scrap the notion that the economy has to continually expand. Learn to appreciate quality, not quantity and newness.

Comment from Robert D.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Today, many Americans, but also many residents of the "rich" countries get the point that oil will never be cheap again. There is also a limit : there will be a day that all the oil that we "spoiled" during years with big cars and other applications is just gone or too expensive to extract. Anyway, was it ethical to use all that oil and gas for our generation and left nothing for our children ? Oil could be absolutely necessary for many applications instead of giving the priority to traffic (road, air, marine).
It is my personal opinion that the politicians (in fact elected by all of us) are responsable to wait until today to "get the message". We should have think about using wind power, solar energy and all the other forms of energy long time ago and not in small power plants, but in bigger plants. But there was always the argument that it costed too much to build them and the costs of transport of that energy would be enormous. Those are just false arguments. In the 60's, we thought that nuclear power plants would be the answer for our energy problems because there was enough uranium all over the world and thus, it was quite cheap. Building a nuclear power plant was, even then, quite expensive, but we thought that, once it was installed, the costs would be quite low. Today, we must consider that those nuclear plants are not for ever. There will come a day that we have to shut down them. The costs of a shutdown is not really known exactly because we have not much experience in that item. Also "What to do with the nuclear waste" is not solved yet. The solutions that are in consideration all have many risks and just bury that waste deep in the ground, even with all the needed security controls, is not without risk. And again, is it ethical to gave such a legacy to the next generations if we don't find a solution to make that waste safe again. And transporting that waste over sea or on land is an unknown risk. What if a ship should sink near the land where many people are living. Also the risk of a terrorist attack is not to neglect.
Maybe (I don't know, because I am not in the energy business) it is not too late to stop using oil and gas as we do now. And maybe we should think about the shutdown in a near future of the nuclear power plants. I hope that there is enough time and political courage to take that turn and invest in new forms of energy which are safer and cheaper in the long run. But, people, let us be convinced that the quote "Après moi le déluge" is not my kind of thinking about the future.
Since years, I use a quote that I found somewhere and which is "The future is now" and another "We don't possess the Earth : we should use it in a sustainable way so that our children can go on with it like we did"

Comment from Judy D.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

First and foremost, the government needs to stop wasting our tax dollars on things like off-shore drilling, and invest our money in developing clean, renewable, AFFORDABLE energy. The technology is there, they just need to promote it.
Then we can begin to tackle ways to reduce the use of petroleum products in the manufacturing of other every day items.

Comment from vegan
August 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

We have an all-electric car which we use for most errands etc. You can do a conversion with used parts or with a kit, or buy a new or used EV. Also some people will do conversions for you. We walk to places as much as possible too.

Also we've gone vegan which uses less fuel, and we switched to all-green electricity (solar, wind, hydro) and cut way back on appliance use. There's a lot individuals can do if you put your mind to it.

Comment from Joe
August 11th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

In America, the railroad infrastructure could be used to great advantage. Railroads as a way of distributing goods can be very efficient. Some trains are several miles long. Why could the cars not have interconnectable solar panels to supply new age batteries for the electric/biodiesel engines? THAT WAY, we could remove millions of grease spewing TRUCKS from the highways and move into using smaller hybrid trucks to locally distribute goods.

I am trying to think of BIG and productive ideas here…government SHOULD run things like the national goods distribution system (not for profit), as a part of it's SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS, which is what government is SUPPOSED to be in the first place.

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

1) Reduce consumption-this can be accomplished through mass transit systems, AmTRak, highrer fuel efficiency standards and city planning that brings residential neighborhoods closer to workplaces and eliminates the suburbs and exurbs.
2) Alternative fuel sources-These should be regional (i.e., Arizona's sunny, so use solar there; Kansas is windy, so wind power there; Coastal cities should use tidal power, Hawaii should use geothermal), environmentally sound (no excess dam construction or over-use of culverts which damage fish, windmills should have a means of keeping birds from flying into them, etc).

Comment from jgant4210
August 11th, 2008 at 2:15 pm

Like anything else, before anything substantial will happen, there must be an economic incentive to build and support the new energy infrastructure. This is for both big money, utilities, distributers, and manufacturers; and for consumers as well. If the public can be educated and given incentive, that will create a market, and away we go. The technology has to be ready, the desire has to be there, and it must be affordable.

Comment from natureali
August 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

First – Only vote for those in Congress who push for higher CAFE standards and non destructive energy infrastructure.

Second – Solar and wind developments destroy huge tracts of native habitat. Better to have most solar installed in developed areas on rooftops. Give owners of roofs a discount on their energy bills. Infrastructure for powerlines already right at homes and businesses. Put energy developments in existing rights of way for powerlines and roadways. Make all parking structures coat the roof of the structure with solar panels.

Third – Only buy energy efficient vehicles. If Detroit doesn't bother to build cars that get as good or better mileage than vehicles from the 80's then their corporate structure deserves to dissolve. Hey Auto Workers Union, fight for the planet along with your employees, force GM, Ford, and Chrysler to build cars that get the highest fuel economy available.

Fourth – Charge at least a $10,000 penalty to all who buy off road vehicles for commuting unless they can prove their livelihood depends on such gas guzzlers.

Fifth – Realize we are all in this together in the short term and maybe the children of the highest consumers will actually have a planet to live on in 200 years. It is up to every single individual to be responsible and only elect responsible politicians from the dog catcher to president.

Comment from tachyon46
August 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

The latest political football has been the idea of proper tire inflation as a means of saving fuel. Even though the McCain know-nothings poke fun at it, it is a worthwhile habit for all of us.

The problem is that nobody will check their tires these days because virtually every gas station has put a coin slot on the tire inflation machines. "Fifty cents to check my tires? Maybe next time…" So long as it is pay to inflate nobody will do it on a regular basis.

We should all pester our state and federal legislators to make it mandatory that all filling stations provide tire pressure measurement and filling at no additional cost to their gasoline customers.

Comment from Kent Garry
August 11th, 2008 at 2:18 pm

The wife and I are already limiting our trips, combining errands whenever possible. The wife is carpooling now 3 or 4 days a week, and I hope to be once school restarts this year (I teach high school economics, and so am off for the summer). When it’s not too hot, I'm riding a motorcycle when it makes sense to do so. Our summer getaways this year were to closer destinations, and we don’t anticipate traveling as much in the future either, even if the price of gas comes down substantially. When next it is time to buy or lease, we will make mileage the number-one priority. And we are going GREEN in many other ways too… we have switched our electric company to Green Mountain Energy, which generates 100% of its power from renewable sources. Their price per kwh is very competitive, by the way.

At local levels, where natural gas is plentiful like it is here in Texas, I would recommend public transit, and especially school buses, be converted to run on this fuel as an interim alternative to diesel until better, more environmentally friendly sources become available, such as electric fuel cell hybrids.

At state and national levels, every effort to support the development of alternative energy sources should be promoted as a priority over new drilling — anywhere, which just perpetuates our addiction to oil and continues pumping CO2 into the atmosphere. Wind and solar farms should definitely be in the mix, and I would not rule-out new nuclear power plants where demand it highest and real estate is limited. New coal-fired plants should be not be allowed, in my opinion, unless carbon sequestering technologies are incorporated. Discouraging the BIG OIL and COAL industries’ continuance of business as usual/high profit operations at the expense of the environment and the health of the nation, just might just motivate them to think more “out of the box” on energy alternatives. Finally, although it would be competing with the private sector I admit, i.e., the airlines, I believe that there should be government efforts to promote the return and update of passenger rail systems. Finally, I would advocate and support the idea of governments offering individual tax credits and other incentives for people and businesses to weatherize and upgrade to new, “made in the U.S.A.,” highly efficient, environmental systems .

Comment from Sandra
August 11th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

HERE ARE THE FACTS ON LAWN EQUIPMENT pollution that will definitely surprise you:

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a traditional gas powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars each being driven 12,000 miles.

And speaking of gas, the EPA states that 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while refueling lawn equipment. That's more than all the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez, in the Gulf of Alaska. In addition to groundwater contamination, spilled fuel that evaporates into the air and volatile organic compounds spit out by small engines make smog-forming ozone when cooked by heat and sunlight.

Palm Beach County Florida created a noise pollution law that caused all gas-driven lawn equipment owners to change to electric or battery operated equipment. The result is less noise, but also LESS polluted air.

A bill to change from gas to electric/battery operated lawn equipment was created in Washington years ago and one guy with a lot of money spent on lobbying stopped the action. No one person should have that kind of power. Start from the bottom up with lots of signatures that can't be stopped in your own city. Let it work its way up to the federal level.

Comment from Edward Craig
August 11th, 2008 at 2:20 pm

Tax the Hell out of fuel to reduce carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere. End Global Warming before we melt glacers and flood most every coast.

Comment from dlodrini
August 11th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

1. Substantially increase incentives to homeowners to install solar panels. Make it not only affordable, but attractive as a source of income by being able to sell electricity to the power company.
2. Instead of 30 mpg required fuel economy on gasoline cars by 2020, how about 50 mpg required by 2010– and 60 or 70 by 2020.
3. Increase building standards and require that all new buildings, whether residential or commercial, and all maintenance be to "Green" standards. Instead of a new oil/gas burner, can we do something greener?
4. Have companies and citizens pay for their carbon footprint or get paid for green practices.
5. all of the above suggestions are great

Comment from Faith Moeller
August 11th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

There are several things we can do. Recycling as much as we can helps a lot; my son & I take out the trash twice a month. We carpool to church and shop for groceries for other people. We combine trips and use our bicycles to go shopping whenever possible. He bikes to school. We turn off the hot water heater until 15 minutes before a shower and shut it off after we are done. Unplug the microwave & computer when not in use. We need to develop windfarms, use existing rivers for hydropower and develop solar energy use to help keep power use to a minimum. Some states, like Alaska (where I live) need to develop geothermal use, too. Most of all, I teach my students to use all of the above since they are the future of this planet.

Comment from Matthew
August 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Car pooling has helped my family, buying locally produced food and growing some of our own has also helped us reduce our dependence of oil. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. We have pooled in together with our families and friends and are sharing clothing, especially for babies, so that we are cutting down on our addictive want want want ways. This cuts our addiction to oil, we are not driving to the store to buy new stuff constantly. I believe that cutting down on consuming un-necessary things helps curve our addiction to oil. The population is slowly waking up and soon the masses will make the choices just like early Americans did to gain independence from Great Britain. We need to stand up and demand that the politicians, the car industries, and the oil companies listen to what is best for us and the generations to come.

Comment from thodoba
August 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Elect politicians like our governor, Bill Richardson, who pushed through commuter rail service in the Rio Grande corridor of New Mexico. I ride the train to work everyday now. It also runs on a biodiesel fuel combination. Once in Albuquerque, I can take the Rapid Ride bus system for free using my rail pass. This is a bus that functions like light rail, but requires no track. The buses are hybrid electric vehicles as well. If a poor state like New Mexico can do these things, so can everyone else. We also have large wind farms in the eastern plains of our state with more being built. I just passed two of them last week and it is encouraging to watch them turning in the wind. And we have just begun to tap into solar. One of our cities, Gallup, has received a state grant to study the possibility of building a solar plant that would supply the entire city with electricity. They have two sites selected already. Things are happening, just seems it is at the local and state levels. Hopefully with the upcoming elections, progressives that support alternative energy will be taking office soon.

Comment from BlueGranite
August 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Encourage, increase and expand affordable public transportation.
More buses and trains from local to nationwide.
For example if there was a train from Central and Southern NH to Boston thousands of people would have the option NOT to drive to work.

Comment from Vickie Cardellini
August 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Transportation should be electric because it's so versitile. Utilities make power for electric cars sooo much cheaper & cleaner (even current methods) than gasoline motors can ever operate at. Our solar is cost effecient compared to the cost of future higher utility bills. When we get our electric car, the cost savings over gasoline will skyrocket! Also, passive solar has always been an EXCELLENT way (and very cost effectient) to boost hot water heaters, heat pools & home heat. Home wind elec. generation is cheaper than solar.
Different living conditions make multiple solutions necessary. Utilities & government will have to be involved. Government incentives can be paid for by cancelling gasoline subsidies ("Windfall" tax breaks) & taxing undesirable forms of vehicles and activites.

Unions should demand US car companies produce elecric vehicals so the US companies don't go under taking pensions with them.

Comment from walmond217
August 11th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

As oil prices began to drop recently, American's have returned to their prior bad habits of using too much to just drive around. It should have been obvious that conserving gasoline could bring prices down which could help in many other areas such as heating oil and oil-based consumer goods. I am almost sorry the price dropped because we proved we could conserve.

Watching "Presidential Speeches" on David Letterman I often see the scene when President Kennedy spoke to the nation and said that he wanted us to send a man to the moon and safely return him to earth all within a given time span, tossing the American "hat" into the ring of space exploration. We need another President to lead us away from fossil fuels and into the age of alternative energy sources. The country needs a challenge from the top. One that is NOT influenced by big oil lobbyists and campaign contributions. The answers are out there, the knowledge is out there, the motivation and the leadership are not. I would love to hear a leader say that by the end of X number of years, we will be independent of foreign oil, not when oil will be running out as a finite resource, but soon. Very soon. We could give no better gift to future generations.

I don't want to take my grandchildren to the Jersey Shoreor to the Outer Banks and see drilling platforms off of the shore. I don't want to see oil drilling in our wild areas, particularly in Alaska. These are the types of places we should be preserving for future generations.

Comment from Victor Preston
August 11th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Cars are A LOT more convenient than public transportation, so public transportation needs every advantage it can get. If public transportation was free (i.e., payed for from taxes) ridership would increase, making it more economically sensible to build a more elaborate system, which would increase convenience and, hence, ridership. This would save in gas and road maintenance. Not to mention the savings of not having to administer & enforce the collection of fairs.
This is not so outrageous as it sounds when you consider that, for the most part, highways are maintained "free" by the taxpayers, giving cars a hidden competitve advantage.

Comment from osha
August 11th, 2008 at 2:26 pm

ELECTRIC BICYCLES!!!

I live in the SF Bay Area and I have a folding electric bike by ECOBIKE (though many other electric bike models – but few folding ones right now – are on the market). It is sturdy, comfortable and very easy to use.

On a full charge of the battery, I can get up to 21 miles of riding with a small motor that either assists my pedaling or, in throttle mode, moves the bike for me like a lightweight scooter. Mileage depends on weight on bike, wind, grade of street, etc. But I can commute in hilly San Francisco in combo pedal-assist/throttle 2 days before having to charge the battery – 10.5 miles roundtrip per day.

I am told that the mileage-per-charge will increase as the battery conditions with use.

I can take it on the city MUNI lightrail system or the BART train, which goes to the East Bay, or the CalTrain that goes to the South Bay.

Comes with front & rear LED lights, rack that you can put a side pannier on, battery charger, cover.

So I save $409/yr on bus fare I don't have to pay anymore and shave up to an 30-min to an hour off my daily commute. NO OIL NECESSARY!

It rules!

Comment from dennisleahy
August 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

We're talking about oil here, right? Lots of good ideas expressed here for general positive environmental impact, but not much on replacing oil. Technologies and strategies for using less oil are good short term band-aids. We need portable fuel. We need to make the switch to hydrogen. We need to do it right now, not in thirty or fifty years.

Back in the 1970's, I remember an announcement that a new cylinder/tank had been developed to hold hydrogen gas. The technological improvement was that the cylinder would not explode upon impact (no Hindenburg.) The cylinder was filled with a metallic sponge into which the hydrogen was 'adsorbed' (rather than 'absorbed'), and the cylinder passed all simulated crash tests. It was to be a key development in safe hydrogen cars. What happened to that patent and that research? The patent would have expired by now anyway – it should be public domain now.

Hydrogen is simple to make. Every kid who has taken high school chemistry has probably done it. Take a DC electricity source (we used a battery then; we need to switch that to massive arrays of photovoltaic cells now.) Attach a carbon rod at the end of the negative and positive wires. Stick the carbon rods into water. That's all there is to it. No great mystery, no new technological challenge to face. From one carbon rod bubbles hydrogen; form the other bubbles oxygen. Electrolysis of water, H2O. We don't need 'rocket scientists', we just need to say "Let's roll!", and make it happen now.

The oil companies will become even filthier richer when they deliver our hydrogen cylinders to our cars. They are the only ones with a distribution network (gas stations) already in-place. Oil will still be a valuable commodity in the future: lubricants and plastics. (Let's mandate recycling of ALL plastics, even if we have to add a deposit fee to ensure they will be recycled.)

Oh, I should mention, when hydrogen burns (oxidizes),water is formed. So, we won't run out of water by using water to extract hydrogen.

Comment from Nancy
August 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

We have hugh reserves of natural gas that have been discovered. If we change our transportation systems (cars, mass transit buses, trucks) to run on natural gas (being done in other countries and here to a lesser degree)it would provide some solution to our problems. Natural gas has much less pollution, is cheaper, and gets better gas mileage.

Wind is another idea to develop along with using the natural current in the Gulf Stream off of the east coast.

Nancy

Comment from neosapiens
August 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Change the way we tax gasoline, diesel and home heating oil to slowly and automatically increase it, using the funds to help low-income people to adapt by: 1) paying generously to individuals to scrap old gas guzzling cars and trucks, 2) help people make their homes more energy-efficient, and 3) reward landlords for weatherizing, insulating and otherwise energy-improving their rental properties [this will provide energy cost relief to low-income renters].

Start a massive WPA-style program of making federal, state and local buildings energy-efficient. That will put people to work, save energy, and help promote energy efficiency product development.

Comment from Carel Two-Eagle
August 11th, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Conservation and recycling are the key, along with having fewer children, as it always has been. Americans behave like spoiled children; they waste everything as if there were no tomorrow, so of course, we're facing not having a future for humans on the earth. Solar ala John O'Donnell & Ausra's system, and wind, for electricity generation; NO nuclear; lots more diesel engines and lots fewer gasoline engines; plan ahead and making a route when doing errands; thinking LOTS MORE – do you REALLY need that widget? – walking more, especially the young ones.. Insulate your house or hang quilts and tapestry on the walls. Remodel or renovate – preferably using recycled materials; and don't build or buy big houses. It is backward not to do these thing. In short, waste not, want not. It was true hundreds of years ago, and this truth is coming home in spades now.

Comment from Tamara Mitchell
August 11th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I bought a 20-year-old Daihatsu Charade car that gets over 40 mpg. I encourage others to dump their gas-guzzlers pronto!

Buy locally produced food and products to cut down on use of fuel for transportation.

Pay all bills online to reduce the fuel used for delivering mail.

Start a vegetable garden….take out your landscaping if necessary!

Comment from Bill Webber
August 11th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

Until our government becomes enlightened and out of the grasp of Big Oil, Big Coal, Big auto, Big lobbyists, we've got to do it ourselves. In 2000 we built a 1900 sq. foot solar house. It's super-insulated with double paned low-e windows and doors, all lights (51) are cfl's. We use solar hot water and 2.5kW grid-tied PV's plus a solar powered evaporative cooler (a desert thing) for cooling in the hot weather. We harvest rainwater in an upright culvert cistern with 7 auxiliary rain barrels (About 800 gal.), compost food scraps, use cloth shopping bags instead of plastic, drive a Honda Civic hybrid (40-45 mpg mostly city), use reclaimed water in our garden, walk and ride bikes as much as possible. Also have front loading clothes washer, use clothes lines for drying and recycling is a given in our town. Also have low-flow toilets and shower heads. Unfortunately, mass transit is not close to us here in Tucson. Love those electric buses they have in San Francisco. We all have the capacity to do at least some of this and should be leading the world instead of following the excellent examples of the Germans and other enlightened industrialized nations. Oh, forgot to mention, our electric bills have been running $5.00 to about $20.00/ month.

Comment from Matt Dernoga
August 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Take the billions of dollars in subsidies that are going into coal, oil, and nuclear and throw them into wind, solar, geothermal, energy efficiency, and fuel economy. Triple the government tax credits on wind and solar. Invest 50 billion dollars a year into mass transit to electrify our rail system and connect cities all over the US.

At the same time, mandate that all cars that come out by 2010 have hybrid synergy drive technology, and by 2015 all cars coming out must be plug-in hybrids. If you're a consumer making less than $100,000 dollars the government covers 1/4 of the cost of the new car, under 75,000 2/4 of the cost, under 50,000 3/4s of the cost, and under $25,000 you have to do 500 hours of community service and you get the car free.

Invest 50 billion dollars a year in energy efficiency for 10 years. You'll get the money back easily.

By the way, tax carbon, start the tax small and increase the tax gradually each year for 20 years.

Comment from AJ Averett
August 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

A future generation will look back on this era and say, "You had this remarkable substance which took eons of time to create, from which can be derived so many useful materials and you did what – you burned it?"

In about an hour's time, the Earth receives from the Sun more energy than all humanity consumes in a year. There is no dearth of energy, only in the supplies that have become the commonplace due to factors of history and convenience (that is, a now-antiquated technology).

The entire world's demand for energy can be met with a combination of wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal, ocean tides and geothermal sources (the only safe means of harnessing the energy of nuclear decay).

With the recent announcement by MIT of a breakthrough in the electrolysis of water, which allows for the efficient storage of excess electricity and peak-demand production, as well as a ready source for portable energy needs, the discussion thus ends – or should.

An added coda: conservation. For we absolutely can – and must – do more with less.

Comment from Suzanne
August 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Many great ideas here. We MUST change or our children and grandchildren will not be able to live. I'm tired of the entitlement mentality I hear from so many Americans.

Each of us can do small things that add up NOW. Make our homes more energy efficient by installing double pane windows and insulation, walk/bike/take public transportation whenever possible, work to get telecommuting and compressed workweeks instated at workplaces, turn up/down the thermostat a few degrees, drive more efficiently, plan errands to reduce the need for driving, reduce water usage by planting only native plants, reduce, reuse, recycle. Stop buying STUFF you don't need. Plant food gardens, try to buy local. Use reusable shopping bags. Instead of vacationing thousands of miles away, find activities and beautiful places to explore in your own state.

We also need to pressure our government representatives to improve tax incentives and subsidies for renewable energy. I priced out a TINY solar system for my home and it will cost $18,000. There are some incentives that take it down to about $11,000 but it still is too expensive. I live in Arizona. There is no excuse for us not to be using our most abundant natural resource, the sun!

Comment from Sarah
August 11th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

It is great to say that we need to get solar panels, drive less, stop using plastics and I am very happy for the people they say the own Prius's, drive Hybrid cars etc. The truth is we need some real investment, I am talking capital here, in new technologies. Making solar power, electric vehicles, public transportation accessible to EVERYONE.
Out here in the West, cities and whole counties were created and planned with the idea that people would be driving forever. Unfortunately that was the wrong path to take and now we have to pay the price. I will give you an example, I work about 8 miles from where I live, accross several freeways etc. If I drive it takes me 15-20 minutes, if I take public transportation it takes at the very least 1 hour and 40 minutes. There needs to be some REAL options for people. Not everyone can afford to buy a bike, let alone a hybrid car.
The only way to get the masses to change their lives and habits is if it is cheap and easy for them to do. It is completely unfair to ask those already struggling to get by to do even more. Thanks! By the way, I think this is kind of silly because we are just preaching to the choir.

Comment from Lea Padilla
August 11th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Promote local food sources–especially organic. Every state would benefit from promoting it's own local economy, AND it would cut back on the huge cost of transporting "cheap" (i.e. processed, unhealthy) foods across the nation…which would help to fight our obesity epidemic as well. Eating fresh, local, organic fruits, vegetables, meats, etc., eliminates excess oil consumption, supports local farmers, markets and vendors, and fills us up with the right type of "fuel". We've got to have that so we can think straight and get ourselves out of this era of catastrophe!

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

We need better mass transit across most of the country. Where I wealthy enough, and allowed to tie in to the area power grid, I'd make our house a part of the solution through solar power. Utilities should be forced to accept co-generation. Florida does not offer any incentive as other states do, and Florida certainly should.

Xeriscaping is in process here, and we've reduced driving to a minimum.

Building codes and practices, and incentives need to be updated to help reduce the waste of fuel and materials.

Commercial recycling should be enforced and it isn't.

Work schedules should be reduced (NOT income as the working middle class and poor are falling way behind!)or replaced with more telecommuting wherever possible. There is tremendous waste in commercial properties and in the commute to them.

"Free trade" (really a misnomer anyway) should be replaced with FAIR TRADE. Even Henry Ford would understand that raising standards is needed as much now as it was for his employees.

Oh, and one last thing–kill the "consumer" label for people, we're citizens. Economics, finance and business should serve society rather than the way it is now.

Comment from Darrell Rader
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

We should have been investing heavily into hydrogen power long ago. We would no longer be dependant on oil but it would do wonders to eliminate greenhouse pollution as well.

Comment from Derek Tarrant
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

(a) Change the law regarding free-wheeling (Car moving, engine running but in neutral)
(b) Design auto gearboxes to allow free-wheeling in neutral without damage.
(c) Design retrofits for insertion into the driveshaft train to allow free-wheeling.

Any of the above (sometimes referred to as Hypermiling) can save significant gas on non hybrid cars.

Comment from kamal
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Better public transportation. Marketing it, expanding it, making it more convenient, cheaper as well as provide incentives for employers to match/cover public transportation costs for their employees.

Comment from paul w harris
August 11th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

1. Every city has a neighborhood(s) where you can live, work, shop and play within walking, biking or transit distance. They are generally older, close in neighborhoods built before or just after WWII. Find that neighborhood and many transportation problems disappear overnight.
2. The houses tend to be smaller, so don't add on, learn to live in less space, and consume less.
3. The yards are generally big, so grow your own food. Build a 2nd dwelling unit and rent it out for extra income. Increased density will encourage better transit options.
4. Get involved in the city planning process to encourage new developments to work like the old ones, walking dependent rather than auto dependent. Use your own neighborhood as a working example for the skeptical types.

Comment from Melissa
August 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

whatever happened to windmills and water wheels? there must be some way to implement these on a large scale to generate clean power. especially with all the crazy storms happening lately, we should be able to harness some of their power for electricity or heating or something!

Comment from Dan Noel
August 11th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

The cheap oil surprise was not a surprise to everyone. In fact, there is no excuse for governments worldwide to not have warned "us the gullible people" about it. This misunderstanding is simply another symptom of an endemic problem that begs for a resolution: the failure of governments to prioritize public service over other activities. The phony war on terror, initiated by the 9/11 false flag, is used worldwide as a convenient excuse for public servants to curtail individual freedom, invest huge resources into war -consuming an ocean of oil in the process-, come up with new ways to spy on “us,” and ignore the common good. The oil surprise finds its source in entrenched government ineptitude spiced with corruption.
Love,

Comment from smokinbuck
August 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Unfortunately, our side has already lost in the arena of public opinion. The Republican Party has framed the argument in terms favorable to the oil industry and the bought and paid for media has enabled them. This will result in the election of John McCain and continuation of the status quo. Sorry I can't be more optimistic. Barack Obama has been severly damaged by the offshore drilling argument. With Obama goes our hope for a future of renewable resources.

Comment from Michael Mullowney
August 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm

I live in Chicago. Cities should do more to attract people to the public transportation option. Constant news of budget and service cuts will not convert a car person to public transit. City governments need to recognize that the time is ripe to invest in public transportation to make it faster and ore reliable.

In areas where public transportation is not an option, people ought to consider biking as a more realistic option and great way to exercise. In the long run, employers could help here by providing locker rooms so an employee could clean up after a potentially sweaty commute. More immediately, it seems ridiculous for a person to wine about gas prices while driving an SUV. I've seen numerous reports on nightly news where Joe Shmo is sharing is woes over his high gas prices, all the while standing in front of his Navigator or F-150.

We can all do much better!

Comment from D Lamont
August 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

Great suggestions here! They give me hope.

From the general public we hear too many objections to offshore wind power! These seem to be aesthetics-based complaints, but (in my observation) they come from people who will climb onto furniture to stare with envy at rather ugly "yachts" moored in the harbor. More writers and film makers should produce bodies of work that help tweak the public sense of values. That will build the political support necessary to make these changes and reforms. For instance, if we are made more aware of the carbon footprint of each item in our stores, one day there will be fewer 18 wheelers clogging our highways and belching filth into our air. And goods that are transported long distances might be brought to us via new improved railroad lines: trains use one fifth the amount of fuel per transported unit (passengers or goods)!

Comment from mareynolds
August 11th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

Do whatever you can yourself now, and demand that local, state, and federal candidates address the issue, and support innovations from the private sector. Move toward renewable resources like wind and geothermal power. I'm looking forward to low-cost solar panels. I live in an older, smaller house that's close to my central-city work in Austin. We're fixing to get light rail here, for those who live farther out. I often bike or walk when the weather permits. I drive a Honda Civic hybrid (and yes, keeping the tires aired up makes a noticeable difference). I am growing more and more of my own food and buy local food as much as I can. I buy most of my clothing at thrift stores. This is sensible living, if you ask me.

Comment from David
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

Meat production and transportation produces more green house gases than human transportation. Eat less of it. Or give it up all together.

Cities and towns should be planned better: South-facing roofs and windows, walking/biking distances between homes and stores/jobs, and local projects to bring in renewable energy.

Bring totes when getting groceries, no paper OR plastic.

Don't buy a truck or SUV to drive to work by yourself. Heck, don't buy one even if you do a moderate amount of construction; we just remodeled our house and were able to transport everything in our Prius (the back seats fold down.. it's really an amazing car).

Get rid of your lawn; let native species grow, or plan a native garden. This way you don't have to mow it, water it, or do anything else like that. Or start a vegetable garden to save you trips to the grocery store in the summer.

Call your congress reps and ask them to roll back the tax cuts for Big Oil, give incentives for small hybrid or electric cars, tax inefficient vehicles, reduce the highway limit to 60, etc.

Educate yourself about the issues, and teach your kids. If you HAVE to watch TV, watch the discovery channel; it'll show you lots of amazing creatures which we may loose soon due to our inability to restrict our own growth.

Comment from ebenbrooks
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

Something that everyone can do, right now, with nothing more than an extra 10 minutes out of their day and a $5 tool: Keep your tired inflated.

Barak Obama caught a lot of flak for this, but he was ABSOLUTELY, 100% RIGHT! If everyone in America kept their tires inflated to the proper pressure, our oil consumption would drop 3-4%. That may not sound like a whole lot, but considering the total amount of oil consumed in America in ONE DAY*:

Daily U.S. Oil Consumption: 868,560,000 gallons
3% of daily U.S. oil consumption: 26,056,800 gallons
Cost of 3% DUSOC (today's price): $82,513,200
CO2 produced by burning 3% DUSOC**: 9,420,000 metric tons

This is not insigniicant!

—-

* Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_cons_psup_dc_nus_mbblpd_a.htm
** Source: Environment News Service: U.S. Emits Nearly Half World's Automotive Carbon Dioxide, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2006/2006-06-28-03.asp

Comment from Matthew Kubiak
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

Aggressive and unmerciful legal prosecution of war profiteers and their political enablers.

Comment from f5mando
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

In addition to the HHO car systems (on which we plan to improve- using frequency in place of electricity), we also recycle, reuse shopping (canvas) bags, have gone vegan (mostly vegetarian, but we're very close to clearing that final hurdle to vegan)!
We drive smoothly – this is key, and something I learned many years ago during advanced driver training. We buy very little "stuff". Only things we need, not toys and other unnecessaries. Low draw light bulbs, rechargeable batteries, lights off everywhere we are not using them, and whenever there is sufficient light without it. Finding different ways to stay cool without A/C, only using one low-wattage electric fan when we need additional cooling.
Using environmentally-safe cleaning products, and reusing water wherever possible, and NOT running water unnecessarily: Most people I see (when visiting, etc) run the water contantly while they're shaving, showering, and brushing their teeth. Unless you're rinsing (body, teeth, razor) the tap has an 'off' position for these periods. Switching off appliances with LED readout when not in use reduces pollution, although I don't recall the figures – do you REALLY need them, to do the right thing?!

Comment from lia7tris
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

It's time to re-emphasize rail passenger service, both long-distance and commuter. We need alternatives to commercial airline service, which is becoming increasingly expensive, overcrowded, not to mention greenhouse gas unfriendly. Rail passenger service is energy efficient and has the potential to take many personal autos off of our highways. As the Europeans have demonstrated, it is a civilized way to travel both long and short distances. Our government needs to take money and invest it in improving and expanding the rail passenger network as well as investing in the locomotives and rolling stock needed to increase capacity.

Comment from niknikkel
August 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

There is NO ONE SOLUTION! There are no silver bullets here. Bad news! Everything helps! Good news. Inflate your tires. 800,000 barrels year that we do not contribute to terrorists war chests. Drive less! Lower demand, lower prices. Make oil explorations expensive; offer incentive for developing other sources. Full price oil from any source owned by the U.S. citizens. Solar farms, windmills, solar satillites. Efficiency in transmitting electric power and pushing natural gas through the pipes.

Comment from Emily
August 11th, 2008 at 2:51 pm

I have recently learned more about nuclear energy and believe converting to electric energy, particularly for automobiles, could be our best bet. Check out this book by Gwynth Cravens: Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy. It really opened my eyes to the safety of Nuclear energy and why it is more cost effective and enviornmentally sound than wind and solar energy.

Comment from Sandra
August 11th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

REQUIRE YOUR CITY TO BECOME INVOLVED

Go to the web page of your city to look for information about their proposals to cut their carbon footprint and their requirements for the businesses within the city. Bet you won't find a link on most sites.

Major shopping centers once recycled, then decided they couldn't make money from doing it and stopped.

Hundreds of apartments have no recycling plan because a couple of maintenance folks think it's too much trouble.

Grocery stores don't want to be bothered with cash bottle returns.

Stores selling large electronics don't want to take back their old equipment to recycle.

The citizens of cities should decide if they want to live in a garbage pit or not. Business should not be allowed to make that decision.

One of our founding fathers said that if all men were virtuous, we wouldn't need government. We need a GREEN Plan for all aspects of the cities in which we live, because cities and individuals will, eventually, follow laws if they are on the books.

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Emily – Nuclear, or as Bush calls it nucular is no solution. We can and must do better than that.

Comment from likroper
August 11th, 2008 at 2:57 pm

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: http://preignitioncc.com/water &
http://likroper.com/PICC.html

Comment from lambjams
August 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Humans are social animals and act in ways to reinforce status and relationships. In many places public transit is considered low-status. This can change by having more private, corporate-sponsored train cars and buses, or first class, for an extra fee.

My brother and I joked that he was going to have to get gold rims on his gas-efficient car, so people wouldn't think he just couldn't afford gas.

Also, in this era of ultra-connected communications, it is unconscionable that dozens of buses are circling the city empty, meanwhile, someone is waiting a long time for a bus to arrive. We need better on-demand routing for bus systems.

Comment from Shaktikim
August 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Firstly, the rest of the world has been paying much higher prices for oil than the US from the beginning. The US has over consumed and continues to do so, without expecting to pay the price. This is an illusion that cannot continue therefore the time is to wake up. I agree with the person who mentioned following the examples of other enlightened countries.

Secondly, there are a number of other energy sources available and being used by small rogue groups, of which the very best is magnetic. Magnetic energy means free energy for the entire world, and is a superconductor therefore limitless. However, this energy has been developed by the military and kept secret from the population because it would mean the oil profiteers losing their profits. A true revolution would be using taxpayer money to fund the development of generators and vehicles that run on magnetic. Solar power, wind and hydrogen are also very viable alternatives, however require sources.

Comment from mike fremont
August 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Many sources say that 18% of global warming gas (methane) is generated by the 1.5 billion cows on the planet. Neither meat nor milk is necessary for our health. Some 70-80% of US cropland is dedicated to producing animals for the table. This is an enormous, unnecessary use of energy (plowing, fertilizer, pesticides, freezing, transportation). I am surprised ED doesn't mention this in Earth: the sequel. authorities are John MacDougal, MD, T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. Neal Barnard M.D. (PCRM) Dean Ornish, John Robbins of EarthSave.

Comment from J. Spencer
August 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Manufacturers and retailers need to return their businesses to more responsible models and start offering quality, durable goods that can be reused many times as opposed to flimsy disposables. Continuous growth based on disposables-generated revenue is not sustainable in the long-term; it burns vast quantities of oil in the production and transport of those disposable goods, creates a tremendous amount of unnecessary pollution, and is additionally unfair to loyal consumers who expect value for their dollar. I have already switched to reusable or longer-lasting products in several categories and measurably reduced the waste our family generates, in addition to saving money!

We also need to address the matter of population. It's a touchy subject, but simple common sense demands that we put the brakes on population growth to conserve resources for the children we do have. No one wants to see draconian government policies in Western countries like those we see elsewhere, but if we don't voluntarily control our birth rate, we will eventually reach the point where such measures will become absolutely necessary! Attempts by the religious right to limit access to birth control and outlaw abortion are the epitome of reproductive irresponsibility and need to be curtailed imediately.

Comment from Stefanie
August 11th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Have a better train system around cities and around the country for people and goods. This would significantly reduce the amount of semi-trucks on the road. Also using smaller cars (no SUV's) and reduce the speed limit. Better public transportation. Having a little government/public assistance for solar power and wind power. There is NO reason why EVERY house in Arizona or California doesn't have a solar panel on the roof!!

Comment from deuell
August 11th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Urban landscapes like New York City desperately need to become more bicycle friendly in every regard- from streets to parks to residential & commercial buildings as well as small businesses. I am confident taking measures now would significantly reduce traffic (especially taxi usage) and the current stress on public transportation, which would in turn make NYC citizens more independent from oil. It also promotes a healthier lifestyle.

There are many pieces to this puzzle, but this is one I can identify as something requiring the city's immediate focus for both long term and short term benefits.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Lots of you here talk about driving efficiently, and spreading the word is critical. But every campaign needs visibility (think "Live Strong" yellow wrist bands; AIDS ribbons; etc.).

How about:

http://www.cafepress.com/hypermileUS

I would love to see the Environmental Defense Fund and other environmental/consumer advocacy groups lead a campaign like this!

Lisa

Comment from bbowlin
August 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

We,consumers, MUST be more efficient in the AMOUNT of energy we use. The ATTITUDES of Americans must change…about conservation of energy. Most people simply do not care about conserving energy. Their attitudes are much like spending money; if they have it, they spend it!

For me conservation is a necessity; I am a one-income family. I simply cannot afford big utility bills. And it is not easy enduring Texas heat but I do. My ancestors did! …I am heavily insulating, weather-stripping and caulking my house this year. I keep my thermostat set between 85 – 90 all the time! I have reduced the amount of grass in my lawn with native plants and use only a manual/non-powered lawn mower. I have large trees, which help to cool the house.

On a recent trip to E. Texas, I set my cruise control between 55-60 to conserve fuel. I was harassed for 200 miles… (Attitude) The worst drivers were the truck drivers, who constantly complain about "the price of gas" but CONTRIBUTE to the high price…

The Government needs to stop giving big incentives to their oil "buddies". Politics! There simply must be better oversight/regulation of big oil companies. There seems to be none. Reduce the amount of PROFIT big oil can make – reducing executives profits/bonuses – GREED!

Send a clear message to the auto industry and the public – NO MORE GAS GUZZLERS! Make guzzlers illegal! WE NEED FUEL EFFICIENT VEHICLES, STUPID!

Companies should be required to capture wind and solar energy in cities and TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AT NIGHT! Many companies leave their lights on 24-7! (The power companies don't care!)

Provide AFFORDABLE wind and solar energy so that residences can AFFORD to generate their own electricity. Make wind turbines and solar panels AFFORDABLE for everyone to install and provide tax breaks. …Make it illegal for companies to OVERCHARGE for wind and solar energy. Presently, it is not economical enough for me to install solar and/or wind energy in my residence!

Cities should develop sophisticated public rail, et al transportation systems and give incentives for using them -rather than increasing highway systems that encourage auto use. Tax breaks for those who use public transportation!

We could go on and on and on!

Comment from Eric
August 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm

1. We need public transportation, not only in metropolitan areas, but nationwide–every other industrialized country has it. During the '90's, when I was stationed in Japan with the Marines, I was able to take a train from Gotemba, at the foot of Mt. Fuji, to Tokyo, for 2,000 yen (roughly $20)–a 100-mile ride. We have the infrastructure (plenty of railroads), so there's no excuse. We have Amtrak, but I think local services can be cheaper.

2. Scale down–eat more veggies and less fast food. Don't buy as much junk; maintain shrubbery rather than lawns. Give the stuff you don't use to charity, and move into a smaller space. The less you buy, the less you have to work, and therefore the less oil you use. The less storage space you have, the less electricity you have to use.

3. Use birth control. A rapidly-expanding human population doth not a healthy ecosystem make.

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Lisa,
And if we're lucky, maybe some of us posting here might volunteer.

Comment from shas1066
August 11th, 2008 at 3:05 pm

Recycle plastic – it's cheaper to make plastic from plastic than from petroleum.
Refuse to by products packaged in non-recyclable plastic. Tell the government to stop letting China package things in non-recyclable plastic.
Stop drinking water out of plastic bottles. If you absolutely must drink it, then reuse and recycle the bottle.

Comment from Walt Terrell
August 11th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Nuclear where does the waste go – onto a poor Native American Indian reservation – they / we do not all have Casinos and do not all want them morally or otherwise. Thanks but this is not only a rude idea but what about the destiny of our other ethnic brothers and sisters?? nuclear waste is a waste of time and money rocket it all up to the sun and make believe it is a bunch sun spots. ?? I would think with all these other alternatives that we would be beyond nuclear totally — economically as well as environmentally.

nuclear – as a devout trained environmentalist it is appauling as an option . spent fuel rods etc. are around for millenium – get real – solar – no nuclear fall out shelters needed. Wind put em up on the ocean. Get more environmentalists that have a long term veiw of our Humanities' healthy existence to help design and implement environmentally sound ideas and alternatives.

Comment from Johnny Cleav
August 11th, 2008 at 3:08 pm

There was an oil crisis in the 1970s and Washington created a national speed limit of 55mph. For some – or maybe a lot – it would be a pain, but it would definitely save a lot of gas.

Comment from Justin Fischer
August 11th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Eliminate the use of plastic bags in groceries and other establishments, as some countries in Europe are doing.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 11th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

Hi, Dave -

Are you asking if I volunteer, or would be willing to volunteer for EDF. Sure! And I'm completely willing to donate ALL proceeds from my hypermiling efforts to EDF, etc.

But if you want to know if what my current interests are, I volunteer for the Carbon Coalition in NH, the Obama campaign, and my local animal shelter. Also, I'm a life-long CCF and HSUS sponsor. Just in case you're wondering.

Lisa

Comment from Dave
August 11th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

We can learn a lot from Europe, and we should have listened to Jimmy Carter when he was President.

Comment from Lydia
August 11th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

While most 21 year olds have their own car, I have a "family car", a novel idea in my generation's age. We shuttle each other around and manage our trips to ensure efficiency. I have a bike, and though I live a few miles out of town, I ride it on short trips or when the car is out. Luckily in Springfield, MO where I'm from, there is a great initiative with the Greenways program. It's a network of trails around town with the centerpiece being a 30 + mile trail that can take you to the five or 6 nearest towns.

Another key aspect of the oil issue is more on a national or international stage. The fact that we have to use oil as a fuel is insane. We need to conserve it for things like plastics (which should always be recycled). There are so many alternatives that are not only free or much cheaper than oil, they are much better for the earth. Even the Pope knows we are giving our children a scared planet, sucked dry of her precious resources. We need to invest in infracstructure, and research and developement need to be put on the fast track. Governmental grants and support should be given and industry should be encouraged if not mandated to change and transition to more sustainable technologies. If we do not have foresight now, humanity as a civilization will not survive. It's not about us or our children or maybe even our grandchildren, it's about the long term survival of our species, other species we share this rock with and our planet as a whole.

Comment from kabiondi
August 11th, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Congress should make the oil companies take the profits over the last 2 years and give each family enough money to build their own windmill and solar power source for their own home. That would also eliminate the electric companies too which will eliminate the pollution they produce as well. It would also make more jobs making the solar panels and windmills. Installation and maintenance would be another job.

Comment from NativePlantGardener
August 11th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

Definitely reduce the size of your lawn and replace it with a garden of plants native to your area. Choose plants that provide fruits, nuts, pollen, nectar, and nesting places for wildlife. I have replaced approximately 1/2 of our 0.31 acre yard with garden. I leave the dead plants stand over winter to provide food and shelter for wildlife, then cut them down and leave them in place in early spring. Don't forget shrubs, which are even easier to maintain than perennials.

Also, I am now on my second year of freedom from power lawn mowers. A $150 push reel mower gives me great exercise, no noise pollution, no air pollution, no consumption of gasoline nor oil, and the best-looking lawn in my neighborhood.

Buy local produce. Shop at the Farmers' Market, produce stand, food co-op, or whatever your closest source may be. Freeze it, can it, or dry it for the winter, and just say no to tasteless unripe produce shipped an average of 1,500 miles to the grocery store.

Comment from Rachel
August 11th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

I think that any car that gets less than 25 mpg and that is not necessary for business – like a pick up truck – should have a tax levied on it quarterly. The tax should be based on the carbon footprint of the vehicle. So, the owner of a huge SUV that gets 8 mph would pay more than a sedan that gets 22 mph. The money from this tax would be used to make dedicated traffic lanes for motor bikes, motor scooters and bicycles. This way, people being more energy conscious would not be in constant danger of being wiped out by the cars. Hopefully this would eventually discourage people from buying such eco irresponsible transport in the long run.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

There's lots of simple things our government could be doing, but it won't because it's controlled by people who don't care about anything other than their own pocketbooks (both Dems and Reps), and we, the stupid people, keep electing them. I'll name some things to fix our problems, but they're never going to happen, because we're too stupid to elect leaders who will do these things, instead of electing leaders in the pockets of big business and foreign interests.

1) Eliminate subsidies for oil companies. Why are we subsidizing such a profitable industry? Supposedly, to encourage them to pursue less-profitable oil fields and such, but instead, they just pocket the money. This is about as smart as the Welfare program which encourages women to stay unmarried, not work, and have lots of kids.

2) Regulate the oil industry, the way many other countries do. We already regulate other utilities, such as electric power. Oil is at least as important as power and water, and it should be regulated the same way.

3) Start providing incentives to build passenger rail lines between major metro areas. Realistically, we will never have the level of public transit they have in Europe, simply because we're too spread out and not nearly as dense. However, high-speed rail lines between our many major metro areas would take away a lot of congestion in the skies, reduce pollution from jetliners greatly, and provide a much more comfortable alternative to planes. Done right, rail travel could be more comfortable, about half as fast (maybe more), and cheaper. We have passenger rail now, but it sucks, because it's horrendously overpriced (even more expensive than flying), doesn't go many places, and SLOW. First, however, we need to enact a national law that anyone stupid enough to get hit by a train is automatically at fault, and can't sue the train company, and that trains can travel as fast as they want. These slow speed limits for trains are stupid and will prevent them from ever being serious competition for planes.

4) Enact new laws treating SUVs as commercial vehicles, based on their weight. Any vehicle over 4000 pounds should require a special license to drive (a commercial vehicle license, class B), which is expensive and requires special training. Also raise the fuel economy standards of SUVs and trucks. Make it so they can only achieve those standards by going hybrid and/or diesel, which will give them great towing power (what trucks are supposed to be used for after all), but make them slow in traffic.

5) Incentives for all-electric vehicles. More funding for battery technology development. The missing link in EVs is batteries that can store enough power for a decent range; everything else is already solved.

6) Legalize industrial hemp, and start using that and switchgrass as sources for biodiesel. Eliminate stupid farm subsidies, so farmers stop growing corn for fuel, which is ridiculously inefficient.

7) Stop over-regulating nuclear power, and do it the way they do in France, where it's safe and efficient. The main thing here is to stop generating so much waste, and legalize reprocessing (instead of whining about terrorists getting it). By reprocessing used fuel, much less fuel will be needed, and the amount of waste will be miniscule, and won't be radioactive for millions of years. We'll need more clean power for our electric cars in the future, and nuclear is a decent source of power when it's done right (not the way we do it in the USA).

More research into solar power, and development of more efficient and less costly PV panels.

As for the rest of your suggestions, some of you here are complete wackos. The guy with the nutcase claims about "magnetic energy" needs to go back to his tinfoil hat. Will the vegans please shut up with the ideas about banning meat and milk; you morons are killing children through malnutrition, and being sent to jail when you're caught. You really think anyone takes you seriously?

Comment from Nick
August 11th, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Use those solar calculator panels…
and wire them in cars.

Comment from chick
August 11th, 2008 at 3:22 pm

The number 1 answer to the oil shortage is to make vehicles that get 100 mpg and better. The technology is there and there is no reason that we should be at the mercy of the oil companies and the auto manufacturers together. They have been in bed together for far too long and it is time to break this unholy alliance. I am sick of their lame excuses to act.
The regulation of oil speculation is also another place where the American people can find some relief from the gouging that has gone unabated for far too long.
Let's face it folks, we are being raped every day by greed and unscrupulous legislation that must change if we are to survive as a nation. The next time you hear a politician or CEO of an oil company make excuses instead of doing something about the crisis you are looking at someone who is part of the problem.

Comment from Bette Holmes
August 11th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

order groceries by phone and have them delivered at night when folks are home to recieve them. One truck in several neighborhoods could save a lot of trips to the store.

Comment from Rosie J
August 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

In this country we have many alternative ways to attend to our energy needs. Let's start utilizing them. Wind power, solar, electric inner-city transportation, better rail transportsation. Less use of plastics. Recycle, reuse, share. Most of all get our local, state and federal officials seriously involved in accomplishing whatever is needed to seriously reduce oil dependence. It's time for the country-folk to get their cummulative heads out of the sand and get crackin'!

Comment from David Gies
August 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

The only way change is going to happen is if people realize that if they make an effort for themselves, that they will be part of a collective effort that will make a major dent to reduce our impact on the planet.

Many areas of the US do not have adequate public transportation. One reason is that there isn't funds appropriated for the purpose. People need to get proposals on the ballet that would create a millage for public transportation. Also, citizens need to address their concerns to their local government. Petition drives are also effective when presented in a peaceful and goal oriented way.

Walking is one of the best exercises. If more people get out and walk, they will discover more about their neighborhood and community, and will have more money to spend in local businesses, therefore spurring the local economy.

Technology currently uses great amounts of energy. Technology can also be used to increase efficiency and reduce our dependence on nonrenewable resources. We must demand that more of our energy comes from renewable resources, therefore speeding up the process of bringing down the price of renewables.

It is apparent that the increase in oil prices has forces people to take action to save money. They've bought more efficient vehicles, they've canceled their vacation plans, and they've reduced their household spending.

The mindset to save money is creating a demand for higher efficiency in everything they buy. This trend needs to continue.

The more people talk about it and take action, the better the outcome will be. The more we voice our opinion, the more our legislators will listen.

Comment from clara
August 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

there are so many ways we can get away from oil,bio-diesel being just the start(why is it not available to the masses Mr.Bush….)Other countries are driving in air cars that are not available in the U.S. or Canada..(ummm hello exxon-mobil…Bush…Bin Laden family…)
Also as far as powering our homes,why do we not have wind power available?Especially in cities that have alot of wind,such as chicago?
The bigger problem I think is that there arent enough people who care,and in this country the only decisions that matter come from the grossly rich who could care less about our planet,they care about oil and the profits they get from destroying our planet.For example,I live in floridas beautiful gulf coast where we have the most beautiful white sand beaches,and now its very probible that they will start drilling offshore here,there goes our beaches,there goes alot of tourism and there goes our economy,and for what?3 years worth of oil,and a destroyed wildlife that is already in danger.
As far as a solution,instead of spending billions on drilling,spend it on wind power,solar power,bio-diesel plants,I think that all of us "little people"need to stand together and make change happen,in spite of what the overly rich want to put into their pockets,they surely arent going to do it for us,so why cant we as a bigger mass of people fight for what is not only better,but the right thing to do for the generations to come?Most of arent the "1 percent",but we are the other 99 percent!

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Rachel: Your idea about dedicated lanes for bikes is stupid. Unless the lane is physically separated from the car lanes by a barrier of some kinds, bicyclists will be getting hit left and right. We have those bike lanes all over here in Phoenix, and no one uses them because they're so dangerous. Bikes and cars/SUVs cannot be on the same roads, unless they're low-speed subdivision-type roads. What kind of reckless fool would want to ride his bicycle alongside moron drivers yakking on the cellphones while driving 60 mph?

A tax on heavy vehicles is a good idea though.

Comment from MIke
August 11th, 2008 at 3:26 pm

When it comes time to move, relocate to a high density environment, where you can walk to all your do most of your errands. I walk to the bank , supermarket, post-office, restaurants and alike.

Comment from Donna Turman
August 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Hang insulating curtains on your windows. Paper your attic in reflective barrier paper. Buy a bike and attach a large basket to it and do your short-distance non heavy load errands on it. Also, take it to work if you're able, and leave the car at home. Compost your organic scraps, newspaper, leaves, kitty litter and amend your soil with it in the winter. A lawn full of organic matter does not dry out as quickly, so you'll use less water.

Comment from ryoung
August 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Public transportation options need to be vastly improved. Only a few major urban areas have excellent options that make public transportation accessible to all people & local areas. Many places have only one, limited option (for example, only a few bus routes, or a subway system that only goes to a few areas).

We had an excellent railway system in this country that was short-sightedly dismantled by the end of the 20th century as we switched to a gas-intensive trucking distribution system, and focused on airplane transportation. Trolley systems and bus systems also declined as people got more cars–at some point, Americans need to re-train themselves to appreciate the benefits of using public transport, because increasing demand will improve the options and remove the issues we have now of limited use & accessibility.

Comment from joeeagle66
August 11th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

I was shocked last week when I learned that an MIT professor had figured out how to convert water to oxygen and hydrogen using electricity (from solar panels). Why didn't the world stop and rejoice and why didn't life as we know it cease? This was a pivotal moment as far as I can see and it went largely ignored. We should be going after this as quickly as we possibly can. Hydrogen is the storage device for energy that dreams are made of.

Why don't our leaders encourage us to turn our thermostats up in the summer and down in the winter? How many times have you been cold this summer in a movie theater or a mall? Do we need to be cold in the summer time?

Why don't we pay more attention to organizations like the Rocky Mountain Institute who have been instrumental in research on energy conservation?

Why do we even allow cars that get 10 mpg to travel on our highways without incredible surcharges? It's my understanding that Hummers still get a huge tax write off for people who drive them to and from their offices. I could see it on a Prius, but a Hummer?

How can we have Interstate highways full of diesel driven 18 wheelers yet we can't have diesel cars because they pollute too much? In Canada, the Smart car diesel gets 80 mpg but it's not legal here.

Why are our traffic signals not timed better to allow better traffic flow? The electronics that would do so already exist and most electronic watches are more complicated. Doesn't the gas we waste accelerating, the gas we waste stopping and the gas used idling at stop lights cost us dearly? What about the exhaust emitted during this inefficiency?

We have proved over the ages that we can accomplish Herculean tasks when the public will is bent in that direction. We need leaders who will do so, not leaders who rattle sabers and take us to war under false pretense.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Mike: High density environments are extremely expensive, and not affordable by normal people. It's like this in most countries around the world, not just here. Asking people to pay $5000/month for rent in a tiny apartment is not realistic.

Comment from claude
August 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4dkx3_energie-libre-moteur-magnetique-gen_politics

Comment from Lorraine Ratkiewich`
August 11th, 2008 at 3:32 pm

LET US STOP BEING SO TRUSTING AND GULLIBLE! We have lots of oil! We have shipped oil out of this country for a long time to the highest bidder. Japan has been one of our best customers. We are like innocent little lambs trusting our current government, headed up by two greedy, ruthless, billionaire oilmen, believing their lies about energy shortages, while they give tax breaks to the oil industry, wage unnecessary wars on oil producing nations, and put the squeeze on our energy costs. We deserve better, don't you think?

Comment from Anais
August 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

In my family, we are starting to investigate rechargeable battery ran chassies. I'm from the Portland, Oregon area and all around I'm seeing people get more and more into this idea.
The car is set up with an engine that only runs on lithium batteries, and you can actually buy kits to make your own battery ran vehicle.
The only thing that is a burden about the batteries is the weight of them. And the more weight in the car, the more battery power is needed. What is needed now for this renewable source is lighter rechargeable batteries.

Comment from Jim Guess
August 11th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Many of you will not like this. Please read to the very end before you react. What we need to do is fourfold.
1) Drill, drill, DRILL! Drill anywhere and everywhere in the US we can. That will bring the price down.
2) Build new and update all of the current refineries. Current refineries are working under 1950's technology. Current technology will create far cleaner air and will be far more efficient – in cost and extraction.
3) Build about 100 new Nuclear Power Plants RIGHT NOW! Current technology is very safe and clean. Witness that there are over 100 (count 'em, one hundred) nuclear powered ships in the US Navy without ONE nuclear incident.
4) Encourage VIABLE alternatives. STOP spending on dead ends. Encourage American ingenuity to create alternatives. Solar and wind have been pushed for over 30 years and both together comprise less than 1% of all generated power in the US.

We are going to need FAR MORE energy in the future, not less. There is a LOT of oil out there. By the time it is used up, American ingenuity will have come up with some awesome and inexpensive way to create energy. But, until that happens, ALL low income Americans need OIL!!!

Comment from Sarah Dubin-Vaughn
August 11th, 2008 at 3:37 pm

This is our nation's second opportunity to wean ourselves from foreign oil and possibly save our planet! I propose that a full scale effort be made to foster additional research in some of the innovative resources that sound flakey to some who don't know about them, specifically, I refer to zero-point energy. And more sophisticated systems for capturing wasted energy that's generated as a by-product of other efforts.

Comment from Meadow
August 11th, 2008 at 3:41 pm

While some people get their shorts in a wad when anyone suggests they eat less meat, it really does save money. Replace it with legumes including beans and nuts. Saves energy and reduces pollution too. Plus if Americans got a handle on our obesity epidemic, it would be like reducing our population biomass by over a third- the equivalent of nearly 100 million bodies we wouldn't have to fuel or move around!!!
We also need to diversify our energy sources and they should include using solar, wind and tides and changing the model of capture from one centralized utility to many many individual and site specific units.
I see making this change as being hugely beneficial to our economy and not the killer that many have proposed that getting off oil would be.

Comment from kingart
August 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

Our leaders must support us. Must demonstrate common sense. Must show genuine respect for the environment, for public will, for climate science. The current administration has done virtually none of this. The few "conservative" voices raised in defense of a more efficient, less wasteful economy and energy policy were promptly silenced. This is disgraceful, at least, amoral and perhaps, by suppressing a crucial truth that could ultimately result in catastrophe, so that friends, associates and supporters may reap huge profits, may be its own form of evil. Not to mention that the U.S., once the envy of the world for its technological innovation, now possesses aging, outdated, inefficient and dirty energy generating systems and gas-sucking cars. Much of the developed world has passed us by. Germany, for instance, has a large and growing solar program. Denmark is a leader in wind technology. The U.S. has vast, virtually infinite potential for both — and does pitifully little. We have been in thrall to the headlock tactics of Big Energy. European tax breaks for non-fossil energy extend into the future. U.S. incentives for wind and solar will run out on December 31. This is MADNESS. Despite huge battery storage, solar panel and wind turbine advances, the U.S. government and energy corporations have done a miserable job of developing systems for home-growing this technology and linking it to the grid. And it doesn't take a wizard genius to see why. If Big Oil and Coal continue to call the shots, we'll all choke to death before they turn over their near-monopoly to alternative energies.

A trillion dollars for Iraq, but not $50 billion for solar and wind? Any objective mind would find that strategy both self-destructive and pathological.

One of the first steps is to demand and then hire (elect) leaders who express open-minded, innovative and courageous leadership, who will call on the best minds in environmental science, advanced materials applications, engineering and any, every other pertinent field. Not only is there vast money to be saved, but hundreds of thousands of jobs to be generated, billions made, and the world turned back from a precipice. And this current government is doing…?

If New Mexico alone has enough spare territory for solar panels that in theory would meet the energy needs of the entire 48 contiguous states — what are we doing? If requiring the CAFE standard of cars to meet a 40 mpg threshold that will more than save the oil we get from the Middle East — what are we waiting for? If making existing homes and buildings just a small percentage more thermally/energy efficient (and providing tax breaks for doing so) and requiring new building codes to be certifiably "green" — what is government doing to earn its keep?

We have the technology. Why are there not more 35 mpg cars? It should be clear that Americans now want far more efficient gas-powered cars. First, if more U.S. car companies were making them, the Big Three might not be sucking so much wind trying to stem their huge cash bleed-outs. But they didn't heed advice which came at them for so long and now their sales are down because their assembly lines generated large-margin SUVs for so long and must retool. Second, the foreign policy impact of lower demand for oil being converted to gas cannot be underestimated. Third, NO ONE can claim that consumer money is better off in the accounts of ExxonSunocoBP than at the grocery store or in college tuition funds. In the end, and I hope the lesson is LOUD AND CLEAR, by buying what the car makers were hawking instead of demanding a more gas-sipping drive, Americans screwed only themselves.

Require the "retirement" of gas-sucking, polluting cars (say, pre-1990). Offer cash. If Treasury can toss around tax rebates so that we can buy, say, a refrigerator to stimulate the economy, it can pay an average of $1,000 a house to get
a carbon spewing gas hog out of the driveway.

Give car corporations an incentive to build hybrids. And NOT SUV hybrids. Compact, space-saving cars. Slap a luxury tax on SUVs and light trucks.

Grease the market for battery powered cars.

Extend tax breaks for wind and solar power R&D indefinitely.

Encourage Americans to RIDE BICYCLES. Short trips to the store, post office, the dental office, can be done on two wheels.

Require that each state and energy authority, with federal assistance, evaluate its energy infrastructure for ways to link to a true national, integrated grid that each year incorporates less energy from coal/oil/natural gas and more from alternatives. No state is without sun, and most states get more than ample wind to drive turbines. We are talking about a vast aggregate of megawatts. This may be easier said than done but we are talking about hundreds of billions of dollars AND a cleaner world AND thousands of new jobs AND a major uptick in the world image of the U.S.

Carbon sequestration. It will be very expensive. But perhaps not as much as the powers that be want us to believe. If they want to burn the coal, then do it without adding to the mercury and greenhouse gas problems, among others. Otherwise, we should start training coal miners in another line of work.

The U.S. government might want to look into just simply buying out some vested interests.

Fossil fuel is becoming, in theory if not practice, an outdated and injurious means of generating electricity. It is ugly. It is a dinosaur. If the nation is so addicted to oil and oil money and oil politics that it cannot break the grip, then we are in for a painful decline, as a nation and a planet. No matter the cost of putting them out of business, it would be worth it to avoid the utter catastrophe of failing to act and make these people listen to science instead of the stockholders.

Comment from Martino Lazzareschi, Sr.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Al Gore made the right statement of energy independance within the next 10 years.

I suggest a Nationwide Oil BOYCOTT

Not for one day, but at for least a whole week! Maybe an entire month!

War, global warming, USA and Russia fighting to gain control of oil sensitive areas within other countries borders….

Have we, the people had enough yet?

Well, have you?????

Let's stop them NOW.

Boycott all oil products for at least one week.

Comment from S.B. Lautner
August 11th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Put pressure on auto manufacturers to mass produce electric cars now! Solar power and wind power incentives!
Decommission aging nuclear power plants. Reward innovative technology that produces more with less.

Comment from barryworwood
August 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

HOLD ON YOU LOT!
STOP SAYING AND START DOING! WE ASKED YOU TO JOIN US IN THE EUROPE TO MOVE FORWARD TECHNOLOGY AND SHARE WAYS TO SOLVE BUSINESS AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS! YOU SAID NO TO ME!
YES, I'M THE ONE WHO STATED THESE PREDICTIONS BASED ON 27 YEARS OF WORLD TRADE AND YOU FELL INTO THE TRAP BECAUSE YOU GOT GREEDY!

1) IMPORTING OF PEOPLE TO DO JOBS!
YOU NEVER HAVE NEEDED TO!
HIGHLY EDUCATED DOES NOT MEAN FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO DO THE JOB AS 98% OF HIGH EDUCATED PEOPLE CAN NOT DO ANY OTHER JOB AS THEY HAVE NO FLEXIBILITY! YET A POOR MAN/WOMAN IN NEED OF JOB WILL LEARN ANYTHING ! FACT.

2)DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE AGAIN ON FOOD ! GOVERNMENTS LIKE INDIA SELL RICE,BUT THE KASHMERE HAS TO SMUGGLE THE RICE INTO INDIA TO SELL AS THEY KEEP THEM UNDER THERE THUMB?(INDIA) CLEAR SELLING FROM ALL COUNTRIES TO THE MARKET PLACE. FACT.

3) TWO MARKET SELLING INDIA SELLS RICE TO CHINA THEN BACK TO INDIA THREE OR FOUR TIMES, THE SAME HAPPENS WITH OIL AND GAS! NO MORE THIRD OR FOURTH PARTY SALES WOULD SAVE YOU UP TO A THIRD THE PRICE ON FUEL! FACT.

4) COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ALL OTHERS SHOULD MEET THREE TIMES A YEAR AS ONE COMMUNITY. NOT SEPARATED! FACT.

5)PEOPLE FROM THE THIRD WORLD HAVE WHAT IS KNOWN AS A HUNDRED YEAR DIFFERENCE SO MIXING UP THE COMMUNITIES BEFORE THEY BRIDGE THE GAP IS A WALKING TIME BOMB ENVIRONMENTALLY. FACT. THE RACE TO BE RICH AT ANY COST.

6) PRODUCE WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR AREA AND WHAT IS LEFT SELL WAS THE NORMAL THING! SO WHY DO WE PRODUCE MORE THAN WE NEED AS ALL WE DO IS PUT IT IN STORAGE – BILLIONS OF TONS TO KEEP – WHO HAPPY – FACT IS BUSINESS ONLY.

7) SINCE 1984 IT HAS NOT BEEN TO ANYONE INTEREST TO IMPORT FROM ABROAD BUT TO BUILD UP AND BY LOCALLY (YOUR OWN COUNTRY STARTING LOCALLY) MAKE LOCAL DEALS.

8)SOLAR CARS CAN BE DONE BUT THE FIGHT IS THEY WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT TO BUY AND NOT GIVE YOU THE BEST, AS WE HAVE CARS(SOLAR) THAT CAN DO 200 MILES AN HOUR, AND REFILL STATIONS – BUT NO COMMITMENT.

9) MOVING HYDRO-POWERSTATIONS TO RELEASE LAND TO REBUILD AMERICAN ECCONOMY, GIVING AMERICA BACK IT'S ECCONOMY AT LITTLE COST AND IMPROVING AMERICA'S AIR POLUTION AT THE SAME TIME! FACT.TRUE CURING THE DRY PERIODS IN AMERICA, FACT – BUT TOLD YOU DON'T WANT TO – YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY?
TWO YEARS ONLY AND THEN 200 YEARS OF STRONG GROWTH OR BETTER STILL STRONGER COMMUNITY – LESS IMPORT.

THAT'S ENOUGH FOR NOW
WHY DOE'S ALL COMMENTS SURROUND MONEY NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEMS!
REMEMBER ONE THING YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH COPIES OF PEOPLE IN BUSINESS FATHER,SON, SON ETC SO YOU HAVE NO ACTION AND REACTION IT HAS BEEN REMOVED! SO IT IS HARDER TO MOVE FORWARD AND EASIER TO COLLAPSE A BUSINESS.

BECOME A TRUE THINKER ! LOOK AT ALL THINGS AS A BLANK CANVAS ……. AND LET EVERYONE PUT IN WHAT THEY WANT FOR THE FUTURE AND CITIES CHANGE OVER NIGHT ALWAYS START AT THE BOTTOM IF THEY HAVE THE MOST TO GAIN AND WILL WORK THE HARDEST GIVEN THE CHANCE? DON'T DO HERE IS THE PLAN YOU CAN DO THE LITTLE BITS, CREATES MISTRUST AND HIGH CRIME.

THE LOWEST WORKER CAN TELL YOU HOW AND WHO IS HOLDING A COMPANY BACK AND WHY! FACT / TRUE

THE TECHNOLOGY IS HEAR AND NOW BUT YOU JUST SIT THERE AND ………………………………………..
TAKE CARE
BARRY WORWOOD.
REMEMBER ALL IS FIXIBLE!
YOU SHOW ME THE PROBLEM – I'LL SHOW YOU 10 ANSWERS TO THAT PROBLEM – BUSINESS – OR COMMUNITY – OR GOVERNMENT…
AND I'M NOT JOKING !!!!!
COME ON TRY ME !27 YEARS ENVIRONMENTALIST / BUSINESS / NEVER BEEN WITH OUT MONEY…… BUT DON'T CARE IF I AM BROKE AT ANY TIME , WHO CARES?

Comment from Steve Caldwell
August 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

I fully and completely agree with all the above comments regarding alternative sources of energy, conservation etc. The USA is way behind the power curve (no pun intended) on this one. BUT, and in addition…

Exxon just published their progit for the QUARTER: a record breaking $11.8 BILLION. That's for 3 months! Not everyone wants lower energy costs and of course Big Oil wants to drill wells off-shore…at profits like this, who wouldn't?

Price controls! unless BO executives and stockholders will agree to lower prices voluntarlily and be satisfied with reasonable profits on their investments.

Comment from J. Lowell
August 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

I agree that we can all immmediately decrease the gas we consume by properly inflating our tires, driving the speed limit, emptying out our cars so they weigh less, and downsizing the cars we drive. (SUVs are an obscenity that need to be obsolete asap.)

But looking past immediate small acts to large innovative ideas, here's one from the Brookings Institute: Pay-as-you-go car insurance.

More at: http://www.truthout.org/article/pay-as-you-drive-insurance-comes-brookings

Comment from J. Lowell
August 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

One more thought: here in California we have plenty of sunshine and way too much smog. I would love to drive a battery-powered car where the batteries could be solar-charged from solar panels on the car roof. Oil-free driving, plus NO air pollution!

Comment from David
August 11th, 2008 at 3:59 pm

On top of comprehensive traditional mass transit systems (bus, train, etc), an idea whose time has come is personal rapid transit: especially for downtown areas. Once these systems are in place, parking lots and ramps can be gotten rid of and more streets can be car-free, to transform downtowns from congested messes into the easiest and greenest areas to get around in.

Comment from Allan Sheldon
August 11th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

HYDROGEN We should have given big energy enough money by now so they can retool for Hydrogen.We all know there is no shortage of oil. It is just greed. Time again to show the world the way.

Comment from rodreifus
August 11th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

The oil dependency can be solved without the drill here and drill now that John McCain rants about daily. CNN just reported last week that the oil reserves recently discovered in North Dakota exceed the oil reserves in Saudi Arabia. The oil and gas industry in the US will never be satisfied until they destroy the environment of the entire nation and bankrupt it in the process.

There is a relatively simple solution that will create a green electric transportation system and put thousands of American back to work for a long time. The answer is a national monorail system based on the same system that Walt Disney has been operating for nearly forty years. They are now operating a fourth generation electric monorail system. The right of way is already in place nationwide thanks to Dwight Eisenhower who pushed the Interstate transportation system through the US Congress over forty years ago.

The center divide on the Interstate highway system has more than sufficent room to put a raised rail monorail system in place. The engineering is very straight forward. The verticle supports are prestressed concrete uprights that are "T's". The "T's" to be set at 75 foot intervales then place a hortizontial prestressed "I" beam upright to upright. A system of this type could run passengers service 12 hours a day and containerzized freight late at night. The average speed of such a system is 300 MPH and it produces no hydrocarbons. Te fcars have been buitg by Seamons AG of Germany for forty years. Boeing could be licensed to buid them here

How to pay for a nationsl system of this type? You let the willing pay for it. Issue tax exempt variable rate revenue bonds much like the war bonds that were issued during the second world war, and you issue them through federally chartered banks only. Wall Street and the investment bankers have already demonstrated they cannot be trusted by what has happened in this country over the past four years.

Congress has demonstarted the same lack of ethics and common sense. It truely is the culture of corrupt that is bought and paid for. This electric transportation system fits in with the T Boon Pickens idea of a national alternative energy eletrical grid.

Seven months ago I submitted this idea to Gene Taylor US Congress of Mississippi and Rober Wexler US Congress of Flordia both of whome are useless political hacks. They only know war and big business and screwing the voters while rewarding the same people who are destroying this very nation.

This project is quite doable and can be started in all 48 lower states at once and before completed would employ 250 thosand people coast to coast. You have to think outside the box and be involved in critical thinking to understand the benefit to the nation and the people. It does not require an MBA or an advanced degress in civil engineering or structial engineering to grasp the simplicity.

Do you want to know about a national healtcare plan that both the US Congress and Hillary Clinton would hate Click here and download it and read it. Itr is simple also download it at http://www.sssoa.com/american-healthcare-issues/The-American-Healthcare-System-2008.pdf. Memebers of the US congress hate this document because it tells the truth and offers simple solutions and they cannot stand the truth.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Kingart: Why must our leaders support us, or in fact do anything different from what they're doing now? What will happen? Why should they change?

We, the stupid people, keep electing these idiotic leaders like Pelosi, Obama, McCain, Bush, etc., and then complain about how badly they do as our "leaders". So why do we keep electing them?

I think you're all just wasting your time if you think this is going to make any difference. Nothing is going to change, until everything collapses, and then these worries about energy will seem pretty silly because we'll all be worried about simply surviving another day, while these "leaders" live luxurious lives in heavily guarded ranches in Paraguay.

To everyone here: do you vote for Democrat or Republican candidates? Then you're to blame for this mess.

barryworwood: I can't read anything you wrote. Stop screaming.

Comment from john daniels
August 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm

(1)conservation…conservation…conservation
(2)pay attention to Al Gore's proposal

Comment from Stiv Whitman
August 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

My views have been well-represented here.

Instead, let's review what corporations want and will get with a vetted cast of corrupt politicians:

– Oil;
– War for Oil;
– Lies for Oil;
– Coal;
– More Coal;
– Lies for Coal;
– So-called "clean" coal;
– Nuke plants;
– Lies for nuke plants;
– More nuke waste;
– "Drill Anywhere" McCain;
– "Drill Anywhere" Media;
– All major politicians for BAU;
– All major media for BAU;
– More Global Warming, 4 degrees C;
– Short-term profits;
– Long-term extinction….

And so it goes. Power, money, energy. Corruption, vast, unaccountable madness. Sickness, disease, a blighted planet; a feeble, confused population taking orders, climbing ladders. Howl silently, waiting.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

Jim Guess: Don't be stupid. 1) Drilling isn't going to help anything, unless we nationalize the oil industry. Otherwise, the oil companies will just sell the oil to the highest bidders, and it won't have any significant effect on the price of oil. Either nationalize the oil industry, or heavily regulate it so that American-produced oil is sold cheaply to Americans.

2) We can't build more refineries. Those are owned by the oil companies, and they're only going to build more if there's profit in it for them. By not building refineries, they can both save money, and charge more for oil products, which we Americans are happy to pay. So they profit greatly by not building any new refineries. The only way to fix this is to heavily regulate or nationalize the oil industry.

3) Navy ships use reprocessed, high-grade nuclear fuel, totally unlike the fuel used in commercial plants. Our stupid government won't let us use reprocessed fuel commercially, because of "terrorists", so we have to bury it in Yucca Mountain. No new nuclear until we allow reprocessing. They do it in France, and it works great.

Comment from Scott Wainner
August 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Americans are wasteful. Plain and simple. We waste energy that we aren't even using. In Europe, they are very conscious about wasting energy. Most hotels have lights in common areas on a timer – it's not uncommon to step off of an elevator into a dark hallway, until you push a button on the wall to turn the lights on. Or bathroom lights that are off until you enter the room and a motion sensor turns them on. On a small scale, big deal – but multiply those things times thousands of buildings and there is some real energy savings.

More importantly, I think we need to rethink the automobile. When gas was cheap and oil plentiful, it was ok to move 50 miles from your work and just commute every day. Now, we need to rethink that and figure out how we can bring safe, comfortable public transportation to the masses, with an efficient network of both highspeed and low speed trains, for instance, which interconnect big cities with outlying subburbs, ensuring that someone that works in a big city need only drive 3-5mi to their local train terminal instead of 30-50 miles into the city.

We also need to make automobile travel more efficient. Ever wondered why you are stopping at a red light when there are no cars coming from the cross street? Me too. Traffic circles, used widely throughout Europe, make intersections safer and way more efficient, ensuring that cars never have to stop and start, they only have to slow down.

There are hundreds of big ideas that could slash our country's use of oil, but it isn't going to happen without strong leadership from our govt officials as well as private industry, engineers, scientists.

Pingback from Energy Saving Ideas — Big and Small « The World According to Opa
August 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

[...] Washington asking them to support earth-friendly legis- lation.  I got one from the Environmental Defense Fund today asking for energy saving ideas, big and small (something different this time) – on how I, my [...]

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Allen Sheldon: Hydrogen isn't a fuel, it's an energy storage medium, and a very poor one at that. There's no natural reserves of hydrogen that can be mined, so it has to be artificially made, usually using electricity. It's so non-dense that it's hard to store effectively in vehicles. We'd be much better off developing better batteries for EVs.

Comment from Kristen
August 11th, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Change our homes and other buildings to use solar-thermal heating and cooling. This virtually unknown technology is proven and is a cost-saver in the long run. Installing them is the kind of "green jobs" we've been talking about, and getting the word out will make sure people are hearing something new, and not the "same old ideas!"

Comment from Kristen
August 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

Study and summarize how state and local zoning rules encourage sprawl and fossil-fuel dependence. Then, come up with recommendations on how to decrease sprawl and create beautiful communities where people can safely walk and bike and use mass-transit options that are FASTER than cars.

At the same time recognize that transportation by car has become a necessity in many cases, but we can start to shift our communities so that cars are not as attractive.

Comment from Marvin De Jong
August 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

First of all, the government should make efforts to get educate it's citizens as opposed to helping them be in denial. I am thinking of something like World War II publicity to mobilize the citizens in the war effort, victory gardens for example. Citizens need to believe that the problem is real and that the dangers are extremely significant. The planet Venus is an excellent and terrifying example of what can happen to Earth.

I believe the initial, but clearly not the only, step is conservation. This requires life-style changes, for example, smaller and much more fuel-efficient cars, smaller and greener homes and buildings, living close to your work, clothes lines for drying clothes, etc. Here again, the people on the planet need to be mobilized.

In terms of energy, coal and all carbon-based fuels should be eliminated as soon as possible. We should not start new nuclear plants unless there is a viable plan in place to store the waste is approved by state and federal governments. We need lots of research into alternative fuels and electric vehicles, remembering that it doesn't help if they are charged from coal-fired power plants. New ideas should be rewarded.

Tax gasoline with the requirement that the revenue go into alternative energy research.

Finally, every effort should be made to reduce the world's population. With far fewer people there is far less energy consumed.

Comment from Andy Singer
August 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

The transportation sector is the largest energy consumer in the country and is vastly less efficient than Europe's. It is entirely based on automobiles. There is a myth that if we just power cars with alternative fuels this will solve the problem. But more energy goes into building and disposing of a car than is actually used by the car during its lifetime on the road. Several studies (including one by the Environment and Forecasting Institute in Heidelberg, Germany) have examined how much fossil fuel energy is used (and carbon emitted) to forge a car's steel, and make the plastics in its body and petroleum in its tires, etc). If you include all the energy used to make asphalt and concrete and maintain highways, you quickly see that plug in hybrid cars or hydrogen aren't going to solve the climate change problem and get us to where we need to go. They are useful short-term "methadone treatment" (for our heroin-like addiction to cars) but, long term, we need to eliminate the need for private cars and stop the growth (world wide) in VMT (Vehicle miles traveled).

Because cars require vast quantities of space for maneuvering, parking and driving, they inherently create sprawl and inherently destroy the positive density of towns an cities. The sprawl and urban destruction caused by cars and highways has put people, jobs and essential services far away from each other. Therefore energy is wasted transporting people to and from these jobs and essential services. This is why the US spends twice as much per capita on transportation as Europe. Thus, We need a national transportation and land use policy that puts people, jobs and services closer together so people don't have to drive (and use energy) to get what they need.

Step number one, all major environmental groups including ED should sign onto a "National paving moratorium" that says "we oppose the building of any NEW roads or highways or highway lanes." Maintaining old ones is fine but any new transportation infrastructure money should be spent exclusively on public transit– buses, fixed rail or bicycle pedestrian– and revitalizing cities and inner suburbs to create affordable housing and improve quality of life. Right now most state DOTs are spending way too much money on new roads, lane widenings and expansions, even as they let their existing infrastructure rot.

Step number two, state constitutions that dedicate all fuel taxes, tolls and motor vehicle fees to highways must be amended to allow these monies to be flexibly spent on other transportation modes. We have been stuck in a car-oriented transportation model precisely because of financial structures (in state taxes) that were set up by General Motors and AAA in the 1920s and 30s. It's time they were amended or repealed.

Step number three, put in place state and national land use and zoning laws that are actually enforcable which prohibit exurban development and stop the growth of sprawl. Due to gas prices, sprawl is already becoming uneconomical, so this shouldn't be that hard.

Step number four, tax private vehicle use using things like the road pricing scheme put in place in London (and proposed for New York City), where fees generated by the tax are pumped into transit, brownfield cleanup and automobile alternatives. To soften the blow, tax exemptions can be allowed for some necessary deliveries/businesses or those with no alternatives who are unable to afford the charges.

Step number five, make bicycling and walking safer by forcing state DOTs and city public works departments to create "safe routes to schools", slow down vehicle traffic, add traffic lights for pedestrians and generally make our cities and towns easier to negotiate by foot or bicycle.

Step number six, give people financial incentives for not owning a car and walking or biking to work. Tax credits that were given to people for buying hybrid cars should be extended to people who buy NO car …and mortgage assistance and other incentives should be given to people willing to locate in urban or denser suburban areas.

Lastly, we have to focus on making cities nicer places to live. Great density can be achieved with just 2-4 story walk up housing. We don't need skyscrapers or oversized buildings, out of scale with humans that block sunlight and require very energy-intensive materials and vast quantities of external energy to maintain and operate. "Green skyscrapers" is an oxymoron and they make cities less pleasant places. Same with noise and we should consider ways to eliminate car alarms, car horns, Harley and other intentionally loud motorcycles and after-hours construction noise. And we should encourage greenspace, community and pocket gardens and other urban amenities.

The skyrocketing price of oil and climate change should be viewed both as environmental wake-up calls and an opportunity for positive change, particularly when it comes to transportation and land use.

Comment from Ian Leslie
August 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Building codes require insulation in the walls and ceiling. It would be criminal to sell a house without it. New regs would require 1kW of photovoltaic panels per 1000 square feet of new home construction. You would buy the house with the panels already installed. Conservatively, at $10,000/kW and $100/square-foot of house this means reducing a 2200 square-foot house to 2000 square feet. There may be some places that it does not make sense (Seattle perhaps), but most areas in the country have enough sunshine. Perhaps there could be regional tax breaks for lower sunshine areas.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Scott Wainner: Traffic circles are the most incredibly stupid idea ever to come from Europe. They're not efficient, they're dangerous. People crash in them all the time. Every east-coast city that has tried them has regretted it, and for that reason they haven't built a new one in decades.

As for stopping at red lights, that's because cities are too cheap to use lights with sensors to only change when there's traffic present. As city leaders are elected, and raising taxes is never popular, this is not likely to change. However, lots of places do use sensor lights (because they can be worth it in many places), but then the traffic "engineers" are so incompetent that they don't set them up right, and one car on a cross street stops dozens of cars on the main street, instead of synchronizing the light with other lights on the main street. Many times, this is because city "leaders" want people to stop at red lights, because it's somehow "safer", because having a long line of green lights supposedly encourages speeding.

Comment from neosapiens
August 11th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Building nuclear plants won't help us get off of oil, but the tens billions of dollars we would save by NOT building them could be used to fund biofuels, efficiency, wind power, solar, etc., all of which are much more cost effective ways to reduce oil use and to address global warming. Nuclear advocates either haven't thought through or aren't being completely candid about the dismal cost/benefit ratio of nuclear power plants. We need more efficient and more immediate approaches, like diversifying automotive fuels and increasing fuel economy. Big plants take too long to build and just divert funds from more effective approaches. Global warming and the massive bleeding off of America's wealth to pay for foreign oil can't wait.

Comment from Bill Becker
August 11th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Next to sailboats and bicycles, trains are by far the most fuel efficient ways to transport cargo and people. It was discovered by early coal miners that steel wheels on steel tracks are almost frictionless. Moreover, trains have considerably less air resistance than the combined number of trucks needeed to carry equivalent loads.

There is a reason that GM and Standard Oil set out to destroy our rail system in the 1940's and 1950's. Let's bring our rail system back.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Marvin De Jong: Educating the people is not something our leaders would be interested in. An uneducated populace is much easier to control. Just look at how Americans happily voted for McCain (McSame, McBush, etc.), even though any idiot can see that Bush's policies are all based on lies and that McCain is going to be exactly the same, and Obama even though any idiot can see he just talks about "hope" and "change" even though he doesn't actually have any real substance, just style. Intelligent, educated people wouldn't vote for either of these buffoons.

Our nation's public school system has been carefully designed to prevent children from being properly educated, and indoctrinate them instead, and it has succeeded brilliantly.

Comment from eigenne
August 11th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

The nation need more public transportation like mini buses more frecuently running, olso smalls cars four cilynders y reinstale the electric trolleys, they are clean and not polute transportation, they was remove of the service for pressure of the general motors forcing to people to buy cars and the complicited of the state oficials corrupts.

Comment from rlpfamily
August 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

Other causes of wasted gas are:
1) Planes circling when they don't "need" to be:
http://transavion.com/transavion.com/Blog/Entries/2008/5/5_Cause_of_Global_Warming.html

2) Cars stuck behind railway tracks blocked by trains that are not supposed to stop or to be there during commuting hours. 1 1/2 hour wait happened in my desert community and how many drivers could stage the temperature without leaving their car running. (Probably close to zero.)

3) Cities that don't know how to time lights so drivers hit more red lights than green lights (Provo, Utah is especially bad for this travelling their main street, University Avenue). I loved living there a decade ago, but this is one of a handful of things I don't miss each time I return for a visit.

4) Stopped traffic in general. Have a crane drag wrecked cars (sans people) off the road and keep traffic flowing.

Comment from Judy Ewing
August 11th, 2008 at 4:46 pm

(1) Invest in our railroads. They operate far more efficiently and inexpensively than trucks!
(2) Build windmills from North Dakota to Texas. The whole midwest plains area of the country has wind that blows ALL the time and could power the entire nation with electricity!
(3) Invest in the technology for electric cars, hydrogen cars, solar cars, whatever is best for the environment, and make it affordable now, not in 15 years!
(4) Make solar panels on residences affordable now.
All this takes a big investment, but it will pay for itself pretty quickly.

Comment from oscar v
August 11th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

When ever possible, ride, walk,get a ride with a friend,bus, skate board, what it takes to get to where you have to go. It all starts with yourself.In california when it's 100 degrees use a fan, keep your house well insulated, I do. When you do drive go slower,have a car that gets 25 mph at least. There is so much we can live out. It's time to humble ourselfs, and do not waste anything.

Comment from Max Robertson
August 11th, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Tax the hell out of oil imports and use that money for research, tax breaks and other things that will encourage the development of alternative energy. Drill in the many areas we ALREADY have designated for drilling and put a moratorium on adding any more places to this list.

Comment from Bonnie Lockwood
August 11th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

Promote alternative forms of transportation, e.g. bus, rail, rideshare, biking. Lower speed limit and provide concrete scenarios of rpms and fuel usage. Ban use of plastic bags, which is a two-fold win – less oil-based products produced and fewer plastics in the ocean.
Reformulate work weeks to lessen the driving footprint.

Comment from meeshy
August 11th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Fuel is a problem and landfills are a problem. Why not make fuel out of garbage and deal with both problems?

Also, cars are the source of a huge amount of pollution, expense, and social concern (accidents, drunk driving, etc.)

We need more public transportation and we need to change our mind-set from the selfish car-using society we've become, back to the neighborhood-centered, walking/bus riding society we used to be and we should be.

Comment from neosapiens
August 11th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Add a steep surcharge to vehicle registrations for polluting gas-hogs and use the revenue for public transportation or to buy-back and scrap old cars. This would help low-income people and accelerate the decomissioning of the worst vehicles now on the road. The scrapping bonus would have to be generous enough to keep the surcharge from becoming a burdensome regressive tax.

Second, find some way that won't violate our treaty obligations to effectively tax imported oil. If that isn't possible, then we would have to tax all uses of oil and find some way to cushion the pain for low-income people.

Comment from Ruth Walker
August 11th, 2008 at 5:07 pm

DON'T drive the highway speed limits. Go slower. There was a good reason for the 55 MPH limit. (The national limit was stopped because people didn't care!) It would save about 10% of the gasoline consumption if everybody did it. There doesn't have to be a law for you to slow down.

Comment from Cindy Schaller
August 11th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

My suggestions would be:
1. Switch to a four day work week. Workers could pick which days to work and businesses would lesson their energy costs.
2. Better public transportion. Right now most workers can not get to their jobs without vehicles.
3. We need to start walking or riding bikes to places nearby. No more jumping in the car because it is quicker.
4. Learn from the Amish. They certainly could teach us a great deal. They get by quite nicely without all the toys people now think they need.
5. Learn from the Native Americans. When they killed an animal nothing went to waste.
6. Make hybrid cars more affordable. I'm driving an old vehicle because I cannot afford a more fuel efficent vehicle.
7. Make landlords upgrade and maintain their apartments. Renters want more energy efficent appliances. I currently have to run the air conditioner becuse I have no screen to my glass sliding door. (They have known about this for 6 years and still have not corrected this. I am not a new tenent and therefore not a priority.)
These are just some quick thoughts.

Comment from Christine Sorenson
August 11th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

Companies should be given tax breaks for employees who telecommute and encouraged to allow telecommuting–it saves them real estate and energy expense and spreads the electrical costs throughout the grid.

Comment from Pamela Lau
August 11th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Use Tupperware for food instead of plastic wrap, which is a petroleum product. Avoid plastic as much as possible. Buy plant-based cleaners instead of petroleum-based one. Buy laundry detergent that is concentrated rather than watered-down (so much gas is wasted in the transport and manufacture of such products, not to mention the containers they come in.)

This is a biggie that I've been doing for 10 years — bring your own reusable bags to the store!!!

Comment from Pamela Lau
August 11th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Use Tupperware for food instead of plastic wrap, which is a petroleum product. Avoid plastic as much as possible. Buy plant-based cleaners instead of petroleum-based ones. Buy laundry detergent that is concentrated rather than watered-down (so much gas is wasted in the transport and manufacture of such products, not to mention the containers they come in.)

This is a biggie that I've been doing for 10 years — bring your own reusable bags to the store!!!

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Cindy Shaller: You're just like all the idiots that keep electing the same politicians and expecting different results. If you don't like your current apartment, why don't you move? If you're not willing to move, then you deserve poor treatment. Back when I lived in apartments, I moved every year or two because landlords raised rent so much, even though new tenants got lower rents. Now I own a house, and don't have to worry about mistreatment from landlords, and can feel free to upgrade my house as much as I want to be very energy-efficient. All these morons promoting high-density living always miss that part: if we all live in tiny apartments, we're going to have crappy, old appliances and poor insulation, and we're going to use just as much energy as we do now. You can't force landlords to upgrade their apartments. They're not making enough profit to do that anyway, since they're paying most of your rent to finance companies, like Freddie Mac, whose CEO just took home a $38 million paycheck even though his company is failing. But I'll bet he's a big contributor to the campaigns of all your favorite politicians, so they're certainly not going to do anything to annoy him.

Comment from RICK BADMAN
August 11th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

I have been a big supporter of flywheel storage units since the mid-70s. If a flywheel made from either rock quartz or one of my ultra-stressed crystalline molecular solid materials is placed atop a motor/generator and another is placed below the motor/generator and they are all sealed to keep in a vaccum and the motor/generator is either liquid cooled or air cooled, it may be possible to spin the flywheels fast enough to kinetically store 100 watt-hours of energy per cubic inch of flywheel material. If magnetic belts can be placed around the flywheels that face magnetic belts inside the vacuum canisters, it may be possible to produce a repulsive linear induction effect to increase the kinetic storage capacity. If the 100 watt-hour per cubic inch goal is met and the flywheels can be safely respun up to speed at least 3000 times, the vehicles that have flywheels may not need to have the flywheels changed for years because a sedan that uses two stacked units with a total storage capacity of 10,000 cubic inches may be able to be driven nonstop from New York City to Chicago.

Passenger planes could then use flywheels too and use either motor-driven turbine engines or compression field engines that will be able to power a plane from a conventional airport into space. Instead of paying tens of thousands of dollars to be flown up and down, passengers would pay maybe $3000 to fly to the International Space Station and to other destination around the world. For $30,000 they may be able to fly to the moon in the future, provided flywheels and my compression-field engine work.

We need to use the oil shale deposits we have out in the West. We have pockets of geothermal energy that can be used to liberate the oily substance from the shale for processing. We would have more oil than the Middle East if we were allowed to use the oil shale.

We could use plasma burners to burn coal more efficiently and cleaner. They would also break down water into hydrogen and oxygen to produce fuel and oxidizer. Plasma igniters instead of spark plugs may also burn water as a fuel.

If we had more plants to process dead animals, we could produce oil from them that could be used for Diesel engines and for heating oil. With so many tons of animals being disposed of instead of processed into oil, we are throwing away a valuable source of energy.

Scientists are experimenting with bacteria that can break down plants into fuel. We need to fund more of that research. If the public was able to buy cans of the bacteria and the processing units, they might be able to create their own fuel from lawn clippings, leaves, weeds, and garbage.

We need more nuclear energy. My injection reactor, provided it works, could produce more energy than standard reactors and with my Red Rover Reactor processing nuclear waste, nuclear power may become more attractive.

Ultimately we need to be able to tap the electromagnetic fields of the earth to use the abundant natural energy source to meet our electrical needs. I talked with a man who had a friend who was able to recharge his batteris by using the fields that flow by us all the time.

My solar stacks, both photovoltaic and steam, might be able to produce large amounts of electricity and the stack assemblies could be located in deserts and wildernesses where there aren't many people.

We also need to use the methane hydride deposits off of our coasts before they explode if the water becomes too warm and the deposits float toward the surface. We may not need to drill much for natural gas if we use the methane deposits.

We have more than enough energy to meet our needs. Much of it is all around us. We just need to develop the sources and before the middle of the century we could end our energy problems and prices will plunge.

Comment from Richard Cyr
August 11th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

When I was young the police would walk their beat and a car would drop them off and pick them up this was something to see a (police car) and no air I see now they have bikes and they tie them too the back of the police car and ride the bike around on the car with them in there air conditioned cars sit on the side of the road with the air on and the car running witch a camera could do to register speed take a picture of the speeder,this would save a lot of gas.And they could be on the street where the crime is,not in the donut shop,or sleeping on the side of the road,or shopping at Walmart or just riding around waisting gas,our gas.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Pamela Lau: Tupperware is made from plastic, you idiot! And unlike ultra-thin plastic wrap which is only used once, tupperware degrades and leaches into your food. Yum.

How many uses of plastic wrap equal the amount of plastic in one tupperware container? How many times can you reuse Tupperware before it gets too nasty and must be thrown away?

Christine's comment is one of the best I've seen here, while quite short. Telecommuting would save tons of fuel and energy.

Comment from Dick Badger
August 11th, 2008 at 5:36 pm

We need to stop thinking in terms of "fuel" to power our personal transportation vehicles and start realizing the benefits of all-electric cars, buses, scooters, etc. Then, we need to ensure the electricity to fill those electric vehicle batteries comes from renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

Daniel Wolstenholme:

Who made you the "blog police"…? You're blocking the creative flow. A little less agression, please.

Lisa

Comment from Andrew Koenig
August 11th, 2008 at 5:52 pm

Behavior: Reduce consumption. We have to be able to participate in a capitalistic society without the current practice of overconsumption. Thoughtfulness be a part of our everyday practice.

Technological: We must get away from the combustion engine. A non-polluting engine is necessary. Perhaps something along the lines of the theorized Bussard ramjet. Or perhaps something that utilizes the Earth's magnetic field.

I obviously don't know enough about this field to say how it should be done (or I would be a wealthy man right now), but I believe this is the future of earthbound and interstellar travel.

Comment from John Ulstrom
August 11th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

Remember the 1970's when we were requied to drive 55? I suggest we modify that a little. After 60 mph, the gas milage really decreases. Change the speed limit to 60 nationwaide. BUT instead of ticketing for speeding between 60 and 75, do as Montana did in the 70's gas crunch. Instead of adding points for each offense, they simply wrote a $10 ticket for "wasting fuel" no points. People would have complete control of wether they wanted to comply with the law. Maybe to discourage speeding a bit more, after ten "wasting fuel" tickets, give the offender one point on his license. Then one point for each additional ticket. Slowing down to 60 mph will save fuel and hopefully save lives.

Comment from Nick Hentschel
August 11th, 2008 at 6:05 pm

Here, are my own ideas, and I'm afraid that it's a long list:

1) Competitive economics must be laid aside in favor of cooperation, because we must COMPOUND fuel-saving technologies, not just rely on one, good idea, per machine. It's not enough to just have a hybrid car; we need it to be hybridized *in conjunction with* an already-efficient gas engine. We need to get the "plug-in" technology, AND that hot-stuff lithium-ion technology together in every hybrid or electric engine. And even in hybrids, we need to be cutting our gas with eco-fuels, or better yet, using flex-fuel technology. And this will only happen if the companies developing our technologies stop competing with each other to "corner the market,' and start to share ideas.

2) Radical changes need to be made to the structure and configuration of our vehicles, besides. No matter how efficient the power plant, we must have more sensibly designed frames to put it in, and any way to shave off bulk is worthwhile. In fact, some old ideas may be helpful: two-seater cars, four-seat cars with two doors, hatchback design, and so on, need to make up a greater portion of what we see on the roads. We don't have to use those dinky little cars that are no bigger than motorcycles. In fact, more motorcycles and scooters wouldn't kill us, since so many of us are 1-passenger drivers, anyway!
Some designs, of course, will just have to go, like the gas-guzzling SUV, and the poorly-designed, front-engine Sedan, with its inefficiently used space.

3) Cars an trucks need to be used when necessary, not just when convenient. We simply don't need them for the majority of trips taken in this country (5 miles or less), and they're less necessary in the city, than in the country. Car-share programs, cheaper, are ideal in many cases, and even being able to rent or borrow a car for short periods should be easier. At the very least, thinking in terms of, "one car per family" is better than "one car per person."

4) Lifestyle changes can, and should, be made, in order to reduce the need for a car, and this may mean shopping and working arrangements that require less driving. You know the old trap: "I hate driving, but I gotta get to work. And I hate my job, but I gotta make car payments." Well, without a car, maybe you won't need that awful job, or to drive so far to get to it!

5) Combine conventional and alternative transport: consider installing bike-carrying racks on the car, not only to take MTBs to the trail, but so that once you get to work, or to town, you can go the rest of the day by bike, instead of having to drive every few blocks, and look around for parking!

6) This may sound oddly out of place, but we need better, fairer law enforcement on the roads. For as a cyclist, i can attest to how little protection riders, pedestrians, and other non-drivers have, the way the law is currently enforced, because driving is perceived as such an inalienable right, that drivers are protected from liability, no matter how egregiously they maim or kill: investigative apathy, reduced charges, and slap-on-wrist penalties. As long as this is the case, people will avoid alternative transportation out of sheer fear.

7) Live on less. there's simply no getting around it and it's truer to the American experience anyway: our pioneer ancestors, the working Americans who built this country, and even our soldiers have all had to live frugally. Stop spending money, not just on gas, but on all luxuries, and pay only fair prices. As for energy, turn off the lights when you leave the room, don't install a row of lights when one fixture will do, use daylight instead of electricity, and learn to do things without machines! (You wouldn't believe how surprised people act when they hear that I make bread, but don't use a "bread machine.")

And while we're at it, no more disposable culture! Quit making stuff that's meant to be disposable, especially since most of it is petroleum-based plastic, anyway!

Lifestyle and cultural changes, folks: that's the only way through.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Lisa Petrie: "Creative flow"? WTF is that? Many of the comments here are stupid or even ludicrous. "Magnetic energy"? Zero point energy? Bussard ramjet? Are you f`in kidding me? This blog could use some police to keep the crackpots off.

I'm just injecting a little reality here. Go back to your tofu.

Comment from Mark Kraemer
August 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

I think a good ad campaign for fuel-efficient cars would be to show how roomy they really are. Many people still think hybrid sedans will be too cramped to be comfortable.
I've found when friends get into our Prius, they are surprised by how roomy it is.

Any ad that could graphically demonstrate this roominess and get people into a showroom to actually TRY a Prius, or other hybrid sedan would be beneficial. Many would find that these cars are more than roomy enough for their needs.

And there's really no other good reason not to buy them, in my opinion, other than price. And with the money you save by using less gas, that issue could be overcome, as well.

Comment from bob
August 11th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

the big oil companies claim billions in profits and they cant make oil products,so nationalize one big oil company
cordially, bob nace

Comment from Nick Hentschel
August 11th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

Oo! Darn! I forgot another one:

9) when it comes or more efficient cars, let's have some more effort put into retrofits and modifications, instead of demanding that people waste money on a whole, new car, in order to avoid waste! In this way, fuel-efficiency and frugal, "non disposable" living all come together!

Comment from Brian
August 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

Change public transit vehicles to accomodate all bicycles.
Some, such as the older trolley cars in San Diego, make it difficult to load your bicycle.
You must climb narrow vertical steps up and down to get from street level to car floor level. Holding the bicycle firmly your front wheel swings around wildly, banging on the sides. You may find things knocked off your backpack.
The newer cars permit a street-level entry………
Road bikes are especially difficult to load, what to speak of mountain bikes.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 11th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I approached the Supt. of Schools in my district a couple of years ago, and asked if teachers could ride the local school bus instead of driving our own cars. He loved the idea! I had to carry my school photo ID so that the bus drivers recognized me, but that's easy enough.

My schedule this past year prevented me from riding, but I plan to work around that this year.

Kids in my school call the bus the "loser cruiser". But when they see adults taking the bus, by choice, perhaps this could be a first postive lesson in mass transport for them…? Honestly, I've had great conversations with high school kids on the short ride to school. Nice.

Lisa P., Daniel's tofu-eating friend

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

Nick Hentschel: Many of your points are good, but 4) doesn't make sense. People don't work to afford a car; they work to pay for housing and food, and then a car. Americans may spend a lot on transportation compared to other places, but it's nothing compared to what they spend for housing. And food is also a huge factor. If people don't have a job, how exactly are they going to afford to live?

Remember, the whole reason many people live so far from work is because housing is simply unaffordable near their workplace. This isn't a problem with resources or energy either, it's a purely economic problem. Cities with very high densities have much higher housing costs, despite the fact that less building materials are needed in high-density developments. Nothing is going to change this unless we bring in soviet-style socialism, which didn't exactly turn out too well.

As for 6), we can't have anything more than slap-on-wrist penalties for auto/truck drivers who kill cyclists through negligence. Remember, the liberals who want everyone to stop driving cars and ride bikes are also the same liberals who want to go soft on crime and never punish anyone (unless they're defending themselves from violent criminals using a gun, then they want to lock them up for life). Better bike routes (NOT along regular car roads) would be great, but I don't see it happening any time soon.

Oh yeah, on 5), installing a bike rack on your car greatly interferes with its aerodynamics, and reduces its fuel economy. At least the roof-mounted ones do. Get a tow hitch, and a hitch-mounted bike rack instead. That should have much less effect on fuel economy.

7) People don't have time to make their own bread and other such things. We're already too busy going to work to make money for our capitalist masters, so that we can afford to pay for our overpriced housing (which, as I pointed out before, is not a problem with energy at all). There's simply no cheap housing available in most places in the USA, unless you're willing to live in a ghetto and dodge bullets from turf wars between drug gangs.

Comment from lodonnel
August 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm

I think we definately need to move away from oil(foreign or otherwise) and start utilizing wind and sun energy. Other countries have used these resources for generations. I also think that the trains need to be reinstituted and rebuilt and other forms of public transportation in all U.S. cities should be a major priority if we are going to move into a new way of life. Do we want to have to wear masks like they do in China because (the smog is so bad) it's unbreathable? Well that is where we are headed in this country if we do not get a handle on the green house gas problem and our dependance on oil. We need to be brave and embrace change.

Comment from E. Daniel Ayres
August 11th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

My pappy used to say, "there are too many f…ing people in the world." That is the fundamental issue. My wife and I decided (married in 1964) that the future for another generation was pretty bleak and that we would be better off not bringing any more hungry mouths to the table. More people need to do this! The main source of the amazing growth in China is their "one child" policy. It permits the society to invest in things they could not afford if there were more mouths to feed.

Comment from alan
August 11th, 2008 at 6:34 pm

THREE ITEMS. DESALINATION OF SEA WATER, WIND, AND PLUG IN ELECTRIC CARS. THAT'L DO IT. GAURAUNTEED. GOBAMA 08.

Comment from thegreendane
August 11th, 2008 at 6:40 pm

What goes around, comes around. I survived the OPEC assault of the '70's and now we're right back at square one. History repeats itself and I hope this time we recognize the need for real change. A few suggestions:

For Immediate Impact
1. Replace all your lightbulbs w/CFL's or LED's. Then, take one to a neighbor & offer to put it in one of their lamps. Then, wherever you shop, look around & make sure companies are doing the same; make suggestions if they aren't.
2. Unplug unused electronics (don't forget the toaster). Shutdown computers when not in use.
3. Insulate your home or add MORE to what you have. The biggest energy hog in this country, according to various sources, is in fact your home. If you can afford it, replace 20+ year old windows w/double or triple pane versions. Stop buying McMansions.
4. Replace outside landscaping lights w/solar; remove wasteful lawn watering systems or install special timers keyed to the weather (I saw this one on Living w/Ed). Replace lawn w/local plants/groundcovers. If you have a small lot, use a reel mower. Compost veggies & fruit. Plant your own veggies & fruit–even in pots–so you harvest organic & as close to home as you can get.
5. STOP BUYING more stuff! Watch the Story of Stuff at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9153550196656656736. Instead, shop at Resale Shops and donate to them. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
6. Buy the most energy efficient appliances available when you can. Do your laundry at night when rates are cheaper. Learn how to cross-ventilate your home so you use the AC less. Install a tankless water heater, esp. if you use alot of water.
7. Negotiate with your boss to do meetings online, vs. live. Work with corporate folks to reduce their footprint–from transportation, to energy, to waste disposal.
8. When you drive, cover as many needs in one trip as possible. Drive the speed limit or less. Check the air on your tires; this affects fuel economy. Drive w/out using the AC but DO use Cruise Control when you can. Carpool if possible. Urge local, state, & fed officials to reduce their transport footprint as well.

In the Short Run
1. Email your Congresspersons & urge them to support sustainable fuels.
2. Require all oil companies to invest 50% of their profits in sustainable replacements. If they don't, double their tax rate.
3. Put an immediate tax on all imports; it's time to return to a tariff-based economy.
4. Require all oil companies to "use it or lose it"–they have oil leases they could use but aren't doing so.
5. Close the Enron-loophole for oil speculation.
6. Rethink your voting positions. Energy plans have been stalled by Republicans in Congress or vetoed time and again by the current administration. Check your Congressperson's record & ignore what they say in their newsletters.

In the Long Run
1. Create Regional Sustainable Fuel projects. For instance, on the Coasts, invest in Hydro/Wave power. In the midwest, Wind Power. In the south, Solar. These projects must have board members where at least one person is a consumer/activist. Create an industry bonus plan based on how well they've serviced their customers, reduced fossil fuel usage, and reduced emissions.
2. Return Iraq to the Iraqis. Bring the troops home to help with maintaining democracy here. Offer a GI Training bill to educate them on sustainability, so they can be leaders in the field to help the new regional projects.
3. Remove tax subsidies (such as the one given to oil companies right now) and give them to US-made sustainable companies instead.
4. Contractualize the federal govt to install and use sustainable energy and products. Make this a requirement at the local level, as well.
5. Create a sustainable tax on corporations working in or dealing in the US (say any reporting income over $10 million a year). All funds would go to help low income families/neighborhoods on energy-related projects.

Comment from bricmpt
August 11th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Educate as many republicans as possible. Suggest that those who think CO2 is okay go take a deep breath from a tailpipe. Overthrow the wealthy, elite global businessmen. Other than that, I don't know what will work.

Comment from Mara
August 11th, 2008 at 6:44 pm

In terms of long-term solutions, we can definitely make use of solar energy… that will solve most of our energy problems. Then I think we should develop a system where people are fined if they don't recycle (of course, it has to be made easy for them to do so) and all of our garbage is used for energy (already being done on a small scale with some biodiesel and ethanol). We should be set there.

Comment from Myrto Ashe
August 11th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

I agree with folks who mention that we have to drastically rethink our lives. Driving slower may save some oil, but eventually when the oil is gone, it will be no help.
We need to start by eating close to home, and generating our energy close to home (wind, solar, maybe with natural gas backup – to be used sparingly). Then we need to source other things we are dependent on close to home.
Cheap oil means that we are willing to run our machines cheaply, have cheap transportation, grow cheap corn to feed cheap meat-producing machines, and poison the Earth with cheap cotton crops. The end of cheap oil means these things acquire a different value, and we adapt by changing the way we do things. Less consumption, more handmade; things and people don't travel as much, less meat is consumed because less corn is grown, and less pesticides and fertilizers are used (since they come from petrochemicals).

Comment from Ann Morris Cockrell
August 11th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

SUGGESTION FOR BUSINESS PEOPLE SHIPPING GOODS
WHY TRANSPORT EMPTY SPACE????
Vitamin and medicine bottles are often shipped across the
United States 1/3 EMPTY
This is wasteful because this practice is :
l. Using more plastic (made from oil) than necessary
for "X" number of pills.
2. Using more cardboard (trees)for box around "X" pills
3. Using more space in the 18 wheelers that could be
used to ship MORE good in SAME SPACE
4. Using more fuel because it takes more 18 wheelers to
"X" pills
5. Using or wearing out more tires

Comment from Glenn Gill
August 11th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

What I have been doing for 25 years is:
I don't use my car for 2 to and as much as 4 months out of each year.
I take buses and trains instead of flying.
I've designed and built an off grid, with passive solar, solar electric, and I'll add wind soon house.
I've work as hard as possible to promote alternative energy usage (I live in NM).

Comment from robert
August 11th, 2008 at 7:00 pm

all those abover entries have great ideas. but they will not work for most people. those who choose not to participate. we have other sites to drill. DRILL! it is actually the cheapest way for a country of wasteful people. although those of us who subscribe to Environmental Defense Fund Action Network are not.
then we can work out the other sources that will take decades to be feasable.

Comment from Joe Thurston
August 11th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

I am a systems programmer at a large insurance company. I could easily do my job at home. Give employers incentives to re-think the need to have a body on site. Virtually everyone in my organization could work at home 2 days a week – think of all the commuter miles that would be saved! The biggest stumbling block is an old-fashioned attitude among management – they need to have a reason to think differently.

Comment from M. Addison
August 11th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Ethos Fuel Re-formulator increases your miles per gallon and it reduces your auto emissions to almost zero levels.
I own 2 new 2008 Honda Elements and we get 2 to 3+ more miles per gallon or 36 to 46+ more miles per tank!
We are saving between $500.00 and $700.00 per year after the cost of the Ethos we are using.
I am a firm believer in the product and I have documentation that it works!
Feel Free to look my website at http://www.forearthonline.com/markaddison

Comment from Elissa Steele
August 11th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

seriously improve public transportation, (look to Germany for a role model)

stop building cities out and start building UP

once everyone has total access to cheappublic transportation, slowly wean the country off of gas and only use it for the public transportation.

then invest into clean energy sources.

Comment from ron hankins
August 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

We need to quit feeding the corporate pig, their not going to lay down easy , 44 billion in profit every 3 months is hard to give up.

Comment from Elissa Steele
August 11th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

and make recycling free

Comment from Carolyn
August 11th, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Eating Less Meat and Junk Food Can Cut Fossil Fuel Use

Worried about global warming and dependence on foreign oil for fuel? There are many things you can do to reverse this!

A new study finds that a healthier diet and a return to traditional farming can help reduce energy consumption in US food system by 50 percent.

An estimated 19 percent of total energy used in the USA is taken up in the production and supply of food. Currently, this mostly comes from non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply. It is therefore of paramount importance that ways of reducing this significant fuel consumption in the US food system are found.

This is totally under control of us, the consumer!

What to do?

*Eat less. The average American consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, a staggering 1200-1500 calories over recommendations. Traditional American diets are high in animal products, and junk and processed foods in particular, which by their nature use more energy than that used to produce staple foods such as potatoes, rice, fruits and vegetables. By just reducing junk food intake and converting to diets lower in meat, you can have a massive impact on fuel consumption as well as improving your health.

*Move towards more traditional, organic farming methods by buying only organically produced foods. This would help because conventional meat and dairy production is extremely energy intensive. Similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.

* The most dramatic reduction in energy used for food processing would come about if you reduced your demand for highly processed foods. This would also help cut down food miles and its related fuel cost as US food travels an average of 2,400 km before it is consumed.

This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest position to contribute to a reduction in energy use. As individuals embrace a ‘greener’ lifestyle, an awareness of the influence their food choices have on energy resources might be added encouragement for them to buy good, local produce and avoid highly processed, heavily packaged and nutritionally inferior food. As well as leading to a cleaner environment, this would also lead to better health.

For more information on the study, click on:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723094838.htm

Comment from sckeller
August 11th, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Drilling for more oil is NOT the answer. Oil is no longer an option. It will always be an environmental hazard; it will always cause climate change, and pollute our water, land, and air. We can have viable alternate fuels within the 10 years if we just fund them and get to work. The way we get out of this mess is to:

Support the Picken’s plan and We Can Solve It.org – and, get them to work together so we can reach 100% renewable electric power in 10 years. We reached the moon in less than 8.5 years and our technologies are much better today.

Increase our density in our cities to preserve our farm/ag lands, our forests, and our public open spaces, and keep people from needing to drive so much.

Federal and State governments should implement congestion pricing/fees and use more funds for public transit and not creating more roadways. They should support new and improved rail systems both commuter and high speed.

Target a couple of large, but obtainable, projects (as listed above) and we can work on others as they come along (raising the CAFE/MPG, recycling/waste, and buying too much stuff). We need to take the really BIG step and STEP AWAY from oil, the NON-renewable energy.

Comment from Ray Benjamin
August 11th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

This isn't rocket science. There are lots of things everyone can do right now, that will help. Most have already been mentioned. Be smart, turn off lights, inflate your tires, carpool, talk to your employer about working from home.

Some that you might not have thought of.
1) Everyone plant a tree today. While a tree does eventually return it's carbon to the atmosphere, it can't hurt to give the Earth a bit of immediate help. Choose species that grow reasonably quickly, but live a long time. Keep that carbon bound up.

2) Promote the idea of a one year fishing ban on all commercial species that have been falling in number, especially predator species that take a long time to rebound, like sharks. As studies in Yellowstone have shown, the health of a prey species often depends on it's predators. The seas have been drastically depleted of fish, all of which bound up carbon, at least for a time. It's time we had policies that mandated the recovery of all fish species. A policy should only go in place if it will help the species recover.

3) Buy food from local producers. While the carbon generated by transporting food is tiny compared to the carbon produced making fertilizers, every little bit helps.

4) Raise hell about too much packaging material. It adds weight to package, increasing transportation costs. It's wasteful, since it must be carried to dump.

5) Insist on products that can be repaired, not ones that are disposable. Printers are a perfect example. This incredibly wasteful practice couldn't exist if not for abuse of patent laws and an unspoken collusion among printer vendors. They change printer models several times a year, constantly changing and patenting printer ink cartridges so they can charge enormous amounts of money for dirt cheap ink.

If you can't think of ten more examples, you aren't trying very hard.

Comment from Kathryn Elalouf
August 11th, 2008 at 7:26 pm

Live in community: know your neighbors, help raise their children, combine errands and limit them to certain days, and take turns cooking dinners at each other's houses.

Comment from Ron Sprycha
August 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

1) "All" internal combustion engines must be flwx fueled !
2) "All" internal engines need to outfitted with polution controls! ie..lawnmowers,chain saws,water craft,air craft etc.
3) Quit talking and start doing!
4) Solar power in the deserts!
5)Wind power in the plains!
6) Outfit every high voltage transmission tower with wind or solar power!
7) Use waves and tides on both coasts to generate electricity!
Nuclear power is out until you know what to do with the waste!

Comment from jasmith4
August 11th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

We need to grow more plants that produce oil and/or ethanol. We also need to curb global warming. How about this: build pipelines from rivers that flood all the time to the deserts to irrigate them! Not all of them — we can use some for solar panels. We can also replace about half the tobacco that's growing right now, since smoking is at an all-time low. All that land can produce lots of corn, sugar cane, and Nader's favorite, industrial hemp.

Comment from Dennis Oberholtzer
August 11th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

There are two very important changes that can greatly enhance transportation: 1) Develop electric cars with rear hatches and quick-change battery trays. Replace fueling stations, (or add to), places for batteries to be exchanged and recharged for a low-cost "refill".
2) The world needs fast mass transit. By building magnetic high speed trains above the 13 foot road level, from city to city, high speed trains could be run in "circle routes" avoiding collisions. "Loops" another level higher within the city, with access to ground floor by elevator and escalator, would eliminate stopping hold-ups. In the past some engineers said it cannot be done. Phooey! Get it done!

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Ray Benjamin: I disagree with 5). The problem here is that consumers are too stupid, and keep buying inkjets. To anyone here that owns an inkjet: you're part of the problem. An intelligent person would buy a laser printer, which last for ages, cost far less per page to print, and don't use overpriced inks which dry out in a month.

The inkjet scam is entirely the fault of the consumers, who would rather buy a dirt-cheap POS printer and buy overpriced ink cartridges every month afterwards instead of spending a little more on a laser and not buying new toner cartidges for over a year. My HP 2300 cost about $100 on Ebay, and uses $30 cartridges that last a couple years each, for 6000 pages.

I think they should double the prices of inkjet cartridges. People who use them are stupid and deserve to lose their money.

Comment from Elissa Steele
August 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

also promote vegetarianism!!!

more than a third of the fossil fuels produced in the Unites States in 2002 went to the transportation for the large amounts of meat we consume. Meat is what makes us sick and Americans eat over three times more than they should.

http://www.goveg.com/environment-wastedResources-energy.asp

simply reducing the meat industry by 10% would feed more than 60 million starving people.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Kathryn Elalouf: Neighbors suck. Americans are generally a bunch of self-absorbed a$$holes. We tried to be nice to our neighbors in our ghetto subdivision (the houses only cost $250k each). They insist on letting their dogs stay outside for hours, barking their heads off, preventing us from enjoying any peace and quiet. Other neighbors insist on having their friends drive up to their house at 1AM, honk their horn, and wait for the young woman inside to come out.

We ended up having one of our neighbors convicted as a criminal for disturbing the peace with his dog, and we're about to do the same to the morons right next to them.

If I can't enjoy a little peace and quiet in a subdivision, without being woken up at all hours by barking dogs and honking horns, how do all these pro-high-density-housing people think anyone is going to tolerate the noise in dense developments? We need less density, with more space between houses, not more.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

Elissa Steele: What starving people? Making more food doesn't feed starving people, because the warlords in their backwards countries steal the food and won't let the starving people have it. How do you suggest to solve that problem?

Comment from bronwyn1937
August 11th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

First, no matter how we "conserve at this late date, the six billion of us will drain the earth of petroleum. Second the earth's hungry need food. Using it to make energy to run junior to the basketball game is pretty silly.
We have wind and solar and landfills full of crap. Somebody smarter than I am could surely find ways to use that stuff.
And finally, The atom can be our friend. Cheap, clean efficient energy can be produced if people stop thinking of it as the boogy man. Anyway, if you want to compare, think of all the pollution oil spills have caused, not to mention the wars.

Comment from K Hall
August 11th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

I, myself, am saving up to buy an electric street-legal scooter and a solar charger. I see little reason to continue relying on gas/oil when there are better options. I hope that eventually the country, in general, will wake up to the realm of hydropower(wave based), wind power, geothermal and solar options.

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 7:55 pm

bronwyn1937: As I was just saying to Elissa, the earth's hungry do NOT need food. They need guns instead. Giving them food will never work, because their warlords won't allow it. We need to send them guns instead, so they can overthrow their warlords, and then grow their own food.

There's nothing wrong with using energy for things which you enjoy. The fact that people somewhere else are suffering is not your problem. If you think it's such a problem, go do something about it instead of complaining. I won't cry for you when you go over there with peace signs and the warlords shoot you, and I'm sure you're not going to do anything to get rid of the warlords.

Comment from John Hill
August 11th, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Our military is the greatest consumer of petroleum products. I feel our nation, our government can make a complete switch to the use of alternative energies very easily. Recall that Mr. Bush toured a solar energy provider company before the Iraq War.

As a nation, we can make Peace in lands such as Iraq and Iran, as well as many other places, by supporting their renewal with alternative energy and efficiency programs. Each set up to provide education and work for their populaces.

Tom Bender offers a good look at giving in his work, Building with the Breath of Life.

The work going on with The Disclosure Project should also be given attention. Peace is our direction, we need only realize that Peace already is alive and well in ourselves.

Choosing to seek answers away from military solutions, will not only directly aleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, but will also rekindle the peaceful art of talking and problem solving.

The Peace and Equality of all our lives here can affect change in other nations. May we welcome the change widely.

Best,
John Hill
http://www.littlemeteorcircle.net

Comment from Karen Miller
August 11th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

We need reliable fast public transportation. I'm not talking buses! Look at other countries where this works. Americans need to get over the 'mine' complex and learn to share. We need to implement renewable environmentally sound energy resources and technologies right NOW! We need to ban products that use petroleum bases where other ingredients can be substituted. We also need to place laws on consumption and waste of such products. I'm sick of everyone thinking that fossil fuels will be around forever as long as we can find a place to drill! Where will anyone need to drive when everything on the planet is dead?

Comment from Daniel Wolstenholme
August 11th, 2008 at 8:08 pm

John Hill: You sound clueless. Iraq and Iran have plenty of energy, especially Iraq. Remember, they're oil exporters. They don't need alternative energy, as it's not going to do anything for them to effect positive change. The only way they're going to improve is to demand better government, and that's not going to happen because they still all have a tribal mindset and are too busy fighting each other.

The only thing we should do there is simply pull out, and leave them to their own devices. They're adults, and are responsible for themselves; we can't save them from themselves, and we've already shown that we certainly aren't any type of moral authority with our own atrocious actions there, plus the utter lies we used to justify our involvement there.

Peace sounds nice and all, but talking doesn't work with people who want you dead, BTW. That's why we need a military, set up to defend our borders (not to subjugate other people and steal their resources for multinational corporations, however).

Comment from Edith Bockian
August 11th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

I am old enough to have worked at Lockheed during WW 2. To conserve gasoline, Lockheed requested names of volunteer drivers and provided them with lists of nearby workers making for full cars where convenient. All major industries should be providing this service. (Riders would pay a reasonable fee.)
Most all of the suggestions offered are desirable. But your lengthy lists are like preaching to the choir. It's the general public that needs to be educated! Why not advertize some of the best thinking in full page newspaper ads and, to the extent possible, provide a cost. When people feel informed, they are more likely to understand and be supportive regardless of cost.
Why not start with the inventive genius in your videos "Unleash the Future"? Then, instead of promoting corn as a source of renewable energy, whatever happened to the possibility of using switch grass which doesn't require the fertile soil corn needs?
Also there's been publicity about the creative use of used restaurant oil, once discarded, to power automobiles without any pollution. Where has that gone?

Again, major publicity of best ideas may hasten some solutions.

Comment from Jeannine Mead
August 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

I believe public transportation is of vital importance…not only in cities, but between cities, small and large. Amtrak should be upgraded in all parts of the country and have regular schedules starting in early morning and run until at late in the evening. I live 40 miles from a large city and trying to get into it for anything is impossible with the traffic. We are not commuters, but we do enjoy going into our large city for concerts and other activities although town has turned into a commuter town and this is happening all over the country.

Comment from Haris Ali
August 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

"in a time when oil doesn't come cheaply."

TRUE!

It comes with the cost of lives which are bombed by the United States for false and misleading reasons.

therefore we should make everyone ride bicycles [and im being serious] or raise the MPG requirement for every car like crazy.

because everytime u step on that gas pedal, u just stepped on an iraqi child's neck and killed him through suffocation.

feel the guilt on your foot yet?

Comment from Adam O
August 11th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Currently all the solutions you see in the news for energy independence are focused on fuel efficiency and energy conservation which affects the RATE at which people consume energy. The TOTAL NUMBER of people consuming the energy is the other half of the equation, yet this seems lost in the media. The number of people consuming fuel is just as important as the rate each person consumes fuel. If you only focus on fuel efficiency, any gains on that will be offset by a steadily increasing population. A solution to the energy crisis is not complete without addressing BOTH overpopulation and fuel efficiency.

Comment from Dave Massen
August 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

Fund and expand intercity rail service. Subsidize rail on par with highways and airports, if not more. Electrify as much as possible, for less ghg, more speed and quiet. People like trains!

Comment from Larry Sanazaro
August 11th, 2008 at 8:20 pm

LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT AND ENFORCE IT.
THEN
Change the laws so that cars that can go faster than 55mph can no longer be sold in the USA. If auto makers did not have to design an auto that unrealistically gets extremely good mileage and at the same time be capable of speeds greater than any legal limit or that accelerate like a rocket, we might see some real progress in reducing our dependency on oil. Even electric cars would be easier to build if silly rocket acceleration and high speed were not a design parameter.

This is a paradigm MUST if we expect to avoid future complications such as global conflicts over oil or the really scary prospect of having to cope WITHOUT the most energy packed nonrenewable resource.

For the last 90 years people have used this resource like there was no end to it. People have become so accustomed to the convenience and availability of oil that they have taken it for granted thinking that there will always be oil. People have not had to consider life without it and many still probably think that can never happen.

As for myself, I rather be limited to driving no faster than 10mph if that means I can still have the use of a personal vehicle. I would prefer slower driving to mile long gas station lines or gas stations that run out of gas.

The party is over. Fast cars are is the most ridiculous aspirations of Americans and sadly the auto industry has catered to this wasteful behavior. Wake up Americans, China and India are putting thousands of cars per day on the road. How much more can we expect the planet to bear?

check out this scary website:
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

Comment from Patty Haley
August 11th, 2008 at 8:30 pm

For one, the Middle East has us "over a barrel". There is no reason why gas prices should be this high in the US when gas was 25 cents/gal just a few years ago over there. The combination of political corruption with the Middle East greed is the reason gas prices are as high as they are. There are a lot of people in the US who are forced to drive quite a distance to and from work due to lack of affordable housing in the local communities. Areas around military installations are especially bad. There should be some type of shuttle or bus for those areas to go at least the last stretch. More people should be allowed to work at home if at all possible. There should be areas set up in communities where people can take a substitute means of transportation such as bicycles, scooters, or even a horse without having to worry about it being stolen, etc. If people can car pool even one or two days a week, they should. Offer tax breaks for those that are selecting other viable options.

Comment from Chris Barrow
August 11th, 2008 at 8:32 pm

Electric cars. With today's technologies electric cars could easily meet the needs of most families for their second vehicle. I would buy one tomorrow if there were affordable ones available.

Comment from John C. Twombly
August 11th, 2008 at 8:43 pm

The idea of "feebates" should be pursued vigorously. Urged by Rocky Mounain Institute for years, this scheme would reward the party that gives up a gas-guzzler and purchases a more fuel-efficient auto. The rebates would be funded by a fee charged the purchasers of gas-guzzlers. Obviously, the amount of the fees/rebates would be governed by the size of the difference — which ever way it goes — between the MPG of the car given up and the MPG of the car acquired. The objective: make it advantageous financially to get guzzlers off the road and replaced with fuel-sippers. Lots of guzzler owners would really like to replace their guzzlers with sippers but simply cannot afford to do so. Support legislation which would make this affordable.

Comment from Ernesto L. Keller
August 11th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

Subject: THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING READ.

Petroleum

(This is really an eye opener. I think it is important that we know something about petroleum. I sure didn't know much about what is revealed in this article.)
Petroleum
by John David Powell

Here we are with a new week and another round of posturing, politicking, and punditry regarding the price of petroleum. As happens when folks do a lot of talking, very little is said.

I hang around educated and talented people. Each individual has at least one university degree. Most read, watch, or listen to more than one news source every day. They span generations with ages ranging from the 20s to the 70s.

Yet, not a single person among them knew the answers to some basic questions pertinent to the growing discourse regarding the rising price of oil. A few knew some of the answers, and some knew a few of the answers. To be fair, I had to look up the answers, or else I would have been among the shoulder shruggers.

For instance, how big is a barrel? Answer: 42 gallons. So, now you know that when the price for a barrel of crude oil hits $140, that's the same as $3.33 a gallon.

What nation supplies the most crude oil and petroleum products to the United States? Answer: The United States. According to the Energy Information Agency ( http://www.eia.doe.gov/ ), our country supplied 41 percent of the oil we consumed in March of this year.

What nation, other than the U.S. , supplies the most crude oil and petroleum products to our country? Answer: Canada . Our northern neighbor accounts for 12 percent of our nation's oil and 20 percent of all the oil we import. The rest of the top five include Saudi Arabia (7 percent and 13 percent); Venezuela (6 percent and 11 percent); Nigeria (6 percent and 10 percent); and Mexico (5 percent and 8 percent).

How much oil do we import from Persian Gulf countries? I'm glad you asked. Persian Gulf countries accounted for only 16 percent of our foreign oil imports each year from 2005 to 2007. In fact, our Persian Gulf imports declined most of this decade, from a 15-year high of a little more than 1 billion barrels in 2001 to 791.9 million barrels in 2007.

What's the difference between crude oil and petroleum products? Answer: Crude oil provides, among other products, gasoline, diesel and jet fuels, heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, lubricants, asphalt, plastics, synthetic fibers, detergents, fertilizers, ink, crayons, bubble gum, deodorant, tires, and heart valves.

One barrel of crude oil (which is 42 gallons, remember?), yields about 19.6 gallons of gasoline. The other 22.4 gallons go into the products just mentioned.

How much of the cost of oil goes into the price of gasoline. Answer: A bunch. We consumed about 390 million gallons of gas a day last year in our cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, farm implements, and construction and landscaping equipment. Back when crude was $68 a barrel (that was just last year), it accounted for about 58 percent of the price of a gallon of gasoline. The rest of the price came from refining costs (17 percent), federal and state taxes (15 percent), and distribution and marketing (10 percent).

By the way, the price of crude accounts for about 77 percent of the cost of gas at $4 a gallon.

Here's a little something you may not have considered. What products that you buy on a regular basis are sold with tax included? Answer: Gasoline. For everything else, you add the tax at checkout.

The folks in California pay 63.9 cents a gallon in state and federal fuel taxes, the most in the nation. That's just the base, though. Motorists there also pay an additional 6-percent state sales tax, with some paying another 1.25-percent county sales tax plus applicable local sales taxes. Same in Illinois , where Chicago motorists pay 12.75 cents per gallon on top of the 57.9 cents per gallon in state and federal taxes. Some Illinois motorists also pay a 6.25-percent sales tax.

Politicians, pundits, and other TV talking heads don't like to provide these answers, because facts get in the way of positions that pander to the mob. We don't point fingers at Canada , because it's de rigueur to paint the Saudis with the broad brush of blame. Folks float the idea of a moratorium on state and federal gasoline taxes without explaining its minimal impact on gas prices, or without mentioning the $3 sales tax some motorists pay on top of a $50 fill up. Policymakers don't explain that oil trades in the dollar, which is weak vis-Ã-vis the Euro, because that would require solutions for strengthening the greenback.

And, it's easier for simple minds to convince simpler minds to impose windfall-profit taxes on pension funds and owners of Individual Retirement Accounts who invest in oil companies than to take on credit card issuers charging double and triple-digit interest rates to the millions of people using plastic to pay for food and fuel. Talk about irony!

And, we sure wouldn't want to impose a windfall-profit tax on someone who goes from making $56,000 a year as, say, an Illinois legislator, to $165,000 a year as, say, a U.S. senator, an increase of nearly 200 percent (not counting book deals or real-estate related loans).

John David Powell is an award-winning writer and Internet columnist. He may be reached at johndavidpowell@yahoo.com

Comment from Pat from CT
August 11th, 2008 at 8:55 pm

I believe that the key to reducing our reliance on oil is consumer education. Overweight people often don't realized how they gained so much weight until they start listing everything they eat. Environmental groups have to be the front line in educating the general public about their energy "eating" habits. So many people that I know have literally no clue about how much energy they are consuming through their lifestyle.

Comment from Laura Lester
August 11th, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Why not harness all of the incredible energy being generated in gyms and health clubs across the country? There are tons of these places, and they open at 6:00am and close at 10:00pm, there are people churning all day long – treadmills, stairmasters, spinning classes etc. Let's hook 'em up and use that energy!

Comment from Jameela
August 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

Improve public transport. offer tax incentives for those who choose to utilize public transport. Encourage governments to improve road conditions for those who choose to ride their bicycle to work. I live in a major city where cycling is become popular as a transportation choice, but drivers and buses are not keen on sharing the road; offer bicycle lanes, large enough to fit 2 bicycles side by side.

Comment from Gloria Picchetti
August 11th, 2008 at 9:08 pm

Forget oil. Solar and wind are the way to go.

Comment from mooxer50
August 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm

We should take back our country!Since 1973(when gas went away)it was a simple tactic,hold us hostage!I checked the years,we never had a shortage,only greedy men who got together"lets make em pay through their noses!"All the big companies did was buy up all the shares,control the oil!Thats exactly what the companies are doing now!Buying up all their shares with all their $30 billion in excess funds they got from us!They laugh all the way to the bank,I overheard 3 guys(obviously rich)who were laughing up a storm
in an expensive bar(sure I evesdropped)

Comment from walt christensen
August 11th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

I have three suggestions. One, continue development of syn-gas. Three of the gas products of a FEMA stratified gasifier are: hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide. All three are combustible and can, together, run an engine and can produce a flame. The gasifier uses wood chips for fuel and is a net carbon capture system. The engine can run a generator and the heat from the process can heat your house. This is old technology that is now getting a second look. To see a gasifier in action you can go to my website: http://www.trustywrench.com and in the gasifier page you can link to a video. You will love it, guaranteed. Second idea is to enact outdoor lighting ordinances that reduce wasteful nighttime lighting. To see the ordinance I wrote for my township here in Wisconsin go to http://www.koshkonongwi.com . Third, run for local office so you can have a say in your local government's environmental decisions. Thanks all, I have read many good ideas here. walt

Comment from A T
August 11th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Increase train service and light rail service by having light rail systems/connections like the one found in Minneapolis available to all cities

Lower cost electric cars

Solar energy

Comment from Daniel van Schooneveld
August 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

Tax oil! Tax gasoline and diesel fuel more!

Comment from David Leithauser
August 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

The country should declare a "man-on-the-moon" type program to develop, within 5 years:
1) an affordable plug-in hybrid that gets 100 MPG (exact figure of 100 MPG not critical)
2) wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources that are cheaper than coal or other fossil fuels, even without government subsidies. Target is under $1 per watt.
These should be developed by the government providing research grants to a wide range of promising potential technologies. Once developed, these techniologies should be made available worldwide so that any nation will naturally use these cheaper technologies instead of fossil fuels. This will drastically reduce use of fossile fuels, reducing both pollution and the shortage of oil.

Comment from Joseph Hardin
August 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Construct a mag-lev train system in the center strip of interstate 5 from San Diego to Vancouver, B.C…?

Comment from b.a. hannon
August 11th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

My daughter helped me to consider this idea again – intentional communities in towns and cities. Instead of individual houses and institution-like apartment buildings or condos, why not encourage the building of intentional community units, with a nice common kitchen and baths, and different sized private rooms, say 8 to 10 units to a building. this would allow residents to share less used facilities like kitchens and baths, yet still have a private place of their own. It would be more efficient as far as heating/cooling, and provide a much needed place for lower income or super environmentally conscious folks to live.

Comment from Geoff
August 11th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Public transit in this country needs a massive overhaul. To do it though we need to research other countries with successful systems so as to make our system successful. Places such as Vienna should be looked at as models for a system in large urban spaces in this country, as well as France's "bullet" trains for commuting around the country.

Comment from Lindsey
August 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Limit the amount of disposable products that are allowed to be sold. We have way too many disposable products, from cleaning supplies to cameras and even disposable cutting boards. Limiting what we produce will ultimately use less energy/fuels.

Comment from allan g young
August 11th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

At a times of great nedd, I saw my government mobililize to crreate an atomic bomb and a space program. I find it difficult to accept our inability to mount a concerted and intense program to further develop proven and less expensive solar energy – at the reasonable costs that will
evolve from mass production. Probably my faith in the richest and most powerful nation on the planet is sadly
misplaced – we cannot do it.

Comment from rob hartzell
August 11th, 2008 at 9:47 pm

Some answers are there but we don't take them seriously. Passive solar homes work, I live in one that is 28 years old. It has active solar hot water heating, another old school energy saving technique. My electric bills have stayed about the same for 25 years. I do still use gas for driving, felt guity, tried to get a Prius, settled on a 35 mpg Corolla instead, at about half the price. But the personal contribution is tiny compared to changing laws regarding energy policy. Why is the tax credit for wind energy installations expiring this year for example? When will we have the Manhatten Project for wind energy initiated? Our own department of energy studies indicate we could realize 20% of our energy consumption via this form of power. And yes, we need a federally initiated gas tax when gas goes below say $4.00 a gallon. Look at what happened when gas shot up this summer: Less suv's bought, less consumption of gas, more conservation etc. With the tax in place we could start funding the addiction reduction manhatten type projects. But what politician is gutsy enough to campaign for a gas tax? It reads like a quick way to be voted out of office

Comment from Tom Harrison
August 11th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

1) Leadership. We need a voice that is unwavering, authoritative, powerful and respected to set a course and lead us to take it.

2) A single problem. Climate, energy, economy, war, food and disease are treated as distinct; yet in many dimensions they are related. If we see a single problem, we will make one single, good decision.

3) Pragmatism. I am, amongst others here, on the very edge of the US opinion and beliefs. Bringing the US together will require compromise and backing off from non-essential positions.

4) Singular message. If the last 8 years of politics haven't shown that a singular, oft repeated, never varied message can convince people of something, then you haven't been paying attention. Many disagree with some of what the rest of us see as obvious truths. A singular, orchestrated message that is as good and pure as the current disastrous course is wrong can be every bit as effective. Use what we know works.

5) Unity. We must find how differences with alternate and conflicting viewpoints can be reconciled. A war has been brewing for years, worse than Iraq: a civil war in the US. This would be our undoing, and we might take the rest of the world down with us in our fight. We must find a way to unify and bring together the truly wonderful, powerful, enduring and unique strengths of the US.

Tom Harrison

Comment from Mike
August 11th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

There ought to be extra taxes based on vehicle/engine size. The tax would be based on the selling price, and would be cummulative as regards vhicle weight and engine size.

curb weight tax
(in lbs) (as a % of fsp)
——————- —————-
Car or Passenger van
less than 3000 lbs 5%
3000-5000 lbs 10%
above 5000 lbs 15%

SUV or Pick-up
less than 7000 lbs 25%
more than 7000 lbs 25%

Engine Size
4 cylinder no tax
6 cylinder 5%
8 cylinder 10%
High-Performance 15%
Diesel 5%

These taxes should be used to off-set oil purchases and maintain roads. There should be corresponding taxes for delivery trucks (2 axle, 3 axle, 4 axle, 18 wheeler, etc.)

Tax credits should be available for hybrid vehicles as well as installed solar/wind generating systems. Heavy taxes on coal-burning facilities are necessary, and burning off natural gas at refineries should be banned and the gas captured for sale.

AMTRAK should be fully funded on all existing routes, and new routes should be studied and opened as soon as possible. Airlines that cannot make it should be allowed to merge or fold to overcome wasted energy and effort. Interstate shipping should go back on rails and long-distance trucking should be severly limited.

SAFE nuclear power should be developed; I realize this may be an oxymoron, but it should at least be studied and researched further.

Comment from allan g young
August 11th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

At times of great need, I have seen my country mobilize to develop a nuclear bomb and a viable space program.
I find it hard to believe that our government is incapable of mounting a concerted ,focused and urgent program to further develop efficient,and less expensive solar energy technology.
Probably my faith in the richest and most powerful nation on the plant is sadly misplaced.

Pingback from My Response to How to Deal With the End of Oil | Five Percent: Conserve a Little Energy
August 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

[...] r"adical". But mostly, I believe they have good ideas, and solid, defensible positions. When they asked Tell us your ideas—big and small—for how you, your family, and our country can rethink the way [...]

Comment from Reonel
August 11th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

The lawmakers must pass a law that will pursue honest development of biofuels. Let's stop our dependence to fossil fuels. They only damage the earth.

Are the american lawmakers not biased to biofuels? I hope so.

Here in the Philippines, there is an inventor who discovered and develop automotive fuels out of separating hydrogen from oxygen in the water. However this was not given so much attention by our government because fear that Oil Industry might collapse in the near future. Count also the BIG MONEY willingly offered by lobbiests to our greedy senators and congressmen. Mind you, they are all HONORABLE, according to them.

Comment from Dawn
August 11th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

Use the money that is being wasted on oil "exploration" to develop alternative energy sources and vehicles that use those energy sources in addition to improving mileage of gas-powered vehicles.

Stop destruction and development of untouched environments and encourage/require reuse of developed land.

Comment from Lisa Thomas
August 11th, 2008 at 10:31 pm

-Decrease work days by having 10 or 12 hour shifts (doctors and nurses do this).

-Service related businesses (like banks and doctors) need to have one night a week that they are opened late so there are no extra trips.

-Mass transit needs to be expanded w/o voters approval and it needs to be cheaper.

-Going solar or wind for your home, buying a hybrid car, all of things need to be a lot cheaper. The majority looks at cost not that they are helping the environment.

Comment from Lisa Sherrill
August 11th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

Personally, I think most of us need to learn to walk again. Unfortunately many of us do not live in walkable communities and that needs to change. We need to improve our public transit systems. They are great if you live in a big city but not in the suburbs. The system does not going to get used because it takes 2 hours to go 25 miles especially since you can drive there in an hour. This isn't something we can answer in a few short sentences, but I think driving less is a start.

Comment from Kimberly
August 11th, 2008 at 10:37 pm

I think if the US government was serious about finding alternative lifestyles to secure our future without draining the natural resources, they should start in their backyards. The employees of the US government should be living up to ECO standards. And with all the new housing developments going on military bases, that is where the change should start. Solar tiles to collect the suns rays to power the buildings. A wind turbine for added energy. Rain collectors to use to water the gardens and lawns. Gray water collecting and reuse. Compostes, neighborhood organic heirloom gardens. VOC free, PVC free, recylced jean insulation, cork floors, energy & water saving appliances.

Comment from Kat H.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

From environmental point of view, I think that having expensive oil is good. It makes for less consumption.
People start to rethink their ways of transpotation, the type of vehicles they buy, the way they heat their homes, and the type of products they buy. Recycling and reusing is also becoming more prevalent. While trying to save a penny, they also contribute to a better planet.

Comment from healthpromoter
August 11th, 2008 at 11:01 pm

The presidential campaign, and other elections, could focus a lot more on conservation, instead of drilling and ethanol. We are missing a lot of the low hanging fruit – bikes and buses instead of cars, clotheslines instead of dryers, fashions that are more climate-appropriate to reduce the need for AC or heat.

Biking is an especially easy one. We have an awful lot of roadspace out there, and the majority of trips that people make on a daily basis are less than 3 miles…it would be so easy to reallocate major parts of our roadways to bike travel. But no one seems to mention it…

Comment from holly perez
August 11th, 2008 at 11:05 pm

Why aren't we using the car that uses AIR! not only does it sue air to run, but cleans it as a it runs and emits clean air! Hello…are we all morons here? this seems like a dream come true, yet we let the oil industry rule our lives! Seems so simple, I wish it were! AIR CAR, AIR CAR!

Comment from Nick Hentschel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:07 pm

Rob Hartzell: Good point about passive solar, and about using alternative energy to lower bills and save work. If it helps, I'm already on this one, as I'm starting into the field of green architecture.

Reonel: I heard about the water->hydrogen conversion technology; it was in my high school science book, back in the early 90's. (That, I think, should put to rest any notion that it's being covered up.) What I'd heard, though, was that they had trouble producing hydrogen in enough volume to get people interested, and that research was still ongoing to make it more efficient. They had no doubt, however, that it was 100% clean.

Laura P.: I don't have any tofu, but maybe I can find some soy ice cream down the street. Want to split it?

Comment from MsLaurel
August 11th, 2008 at 11:24 pm

I would like to see:
1. A government-sponsored program to help individuals trade-in combustion vehicles for electric vehicles charged by solar panels.

2. Non-profit utilities, modeled on New England GreenStart, tailored to localities, in every town.

3. Compact solar panel technology that enables an average person to place a panel in the upper part of a window (like a sun-catcher) and use it to charge a battery that powers something in the room, such as a refrigerator.

4. As a bridge between combustion and renewable energy: SALICORNIA, a prolific crop that grows in arid, depleted soil, using a small amount of sea-water. SALICORNIA can be used for food and refined into oil.

Comment from Shirley
August 11th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

I've lived in Florida for over 6 years. I've seen fewer Hummers my entire life (and I'm not young) then I see every year here, and the trucks – why does an 80 years old guy need a Ford F350? These vehicles are all shiny, unscratched, perfectly clean showpieces. People like that don't care about higher gas prices, alternative energy, or public tranportation. Gas taxes only hurt the poor, and poor people can't afford alternative anything (even with tax incentives).

So why not tax the gas guzzling vehicle? Charge an additional tax on the purchase and annual registration of a new or used vehicle rated at less than 20mpg with steady annual requirements for higher standards until we reach 50mpg. Force people through exorbitant taxation to take responsibility for their own excesses.

We can use the money for tax incentives, alternate energy, purblic transportation, and maybe have a little left over for environmental education in elementary and middle schools. Let's make sure our kids are smarter then us.

Comment from Tom J
August 11th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

The government, beginning with the President and trickling on down to congress paid lip service to a thing called an energy problem, but nowhere was there the political courage to declare an energy crisis and act decisively on it. Offshore drilling or more drillin in Alaska's wilderness won't ease it because the politicians are definingit in defense terms, dependence on"foreign" oil. Hence the need to keep the strategic reserves filled at any price. Since batteries for hybrids are made in asia, we could well be trading one regional dependency for another.

Do we have the manufacturing infrastructure in place and ready to go on the transportation side of things?

In the interim I've ordered my Ford Escaped, put in my high efficiency furnace, added extra insulation to my home. I.ve done all I can.

Comment from Russell Novkov
August 11th, 2008 at 11:36 pm

We need more renewable energy.

Comment from jan hamlet
August 11th, 2008 at 11:37 pm

I believe the PEOPLE want and know how to change and can come up with some great ideas, as they have for decades. The true problem is we have a handful of corporate elites that have controlled our country for over 100 years. Go back to the time of Thomas Edison in the early 1900's and you will see the challenge he had just trying to invent the light bulb. The elites that ran the oil and gas industry laughed at him and tried to prevent him from moving forward on his invention. He persevered and succeeded. He also invented an electric car in 1915! Everyone should take a trip to Fort Myeres in SW Florida to visit the Edison museum and you will be amazed at everything this brilliant man invented. Sadly he passed away in 1933 and his electric car was left in the garage. Ironiclly, Ford was his friend and neighbor and pursued the mass manufacture of the combustion engine. Originally these early cars ran on water and soy oil. But the oil and gas industry had their way and have suppressed any technology to power our vehicles in any other way for over 100 years! Remember the little VW beetles? I had one in 1971 and it got about 40 mpg. Tiny engine, air cooled, simple, but that little car went well over 100K miles before it gave out. We don't need the big gas hogs. People that drive SUV's should have to pay an excess consumption tax as they use more gas than needed to get around. The car industry makes its profits on servicing cars, so they don't want to put out electric cars as they have fewer moving parts and less to maintain. Good for the consumer, bad for the car industry. But this is supposed to be a country of the people FOR the people.We need to take our country back. NOW! And McCain will never do it! He's just another puppet of big oil.

This gets to the real problem again, our industry in this country is so focused on selling us stuff that doesn't last, so we have to keep buying over and over. That's why everyones broke! Every time we have to replace something it costs more and more. We need to go back to basics and quality.
Mass transit – by monorails, electric buses, trains that are powered by sugar based ethanol.

Electric cars only. They now make batteries that will go 200 miles without a charge. Convert the gas stations to plug in stops.
All houses should be retrofitted with solar roofing tiles, newer technology than panels. (Walmart did all their stores)
Make a golf cart lane for in town trips to the store.
Speaking of golf carts – some people in Texas wanted to be conservation conscious and were driving their golf carts. The City or maybe it was the state, is going to enact a law in September that will PREVENT them from getting license plates for their golf carts. SO, it's the government that does not want to move forward in the 21st century. I say, fire them all and start over if they do not vote ALL laws for environmental protection and energy saving!
Nationalize the oil industry and take it away from the corrupt corporate elites that have used it to enslave our entire nation for decades. We should have been off oil 35 years ago! Increase the MPG in cars to require minimum of 50 MPG. Ford invented a truck that got 150 MPG only a few years ago. Why did they destroy it? The gas industry wanted them to.
I have an idea for a wind and solar powered system for each individual home.
Bottom line, the people need to force the politicians to abolish the "The United States OF America" , the Corporation, and give us back the Republic of "The United States FOR America"!

Comment from Roger Cambor
August 11th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

Denmark has zero dependency on oil from the Middle East. Up to 50% of people in cities commute by bicycle. Denmark is the world leader in wind technology, which has created jobs. Think local. Infrastructure should be changed to accomodate local commuting by pedestrian, bus, most especially by bicycle, which would help to offset the epidemic of obesity in America.

Comment from Ron Severeid
August 11th, 2008 at 11:41 pm

Totally outlaw SUVs and oversized pick-ups. The problem with these vehicles is that they are bought by men with small brains and small penises to compensate for their shortcomings. They are also purchased by women who want to "drive by intimidation" (and some men for the same reason. These vehicles are also purchased by people of both genders because they (mistakenly) believe they are safer. Every vehicle allowed on the road MUST be required to get at least 35 MPG. And 45 MPG after 5 years. If petroleum products are still the primary fuel after 10 years, all vehicles must get at least 55 MPG.

Most electronic components used in the home and office use AC (alternating current) to operate. Internally however, they use DC (direct current). These components (TVs, Amplifiers, CD players, DVD players, computers, monitors, copiers, fax machines, et cetera), contain devices called "rectifiers" which convert AC to DC.
These rectifiers reduce the overall efficiency of all these devices. To complicate this problem, home based electrical generators are solar (photovoltaic) which produce DC. Direct current is GREAT for charging batteries, but the power stored by batteries must then be converted to AC by a device called an "inverter." Inverters also
greatly reduce the overall efficiency of these systems. Therefore, all new homes, apartments, condos, offices and factories must be required to be built with dual power systems providing both AC and DC
wiring to allow for the use of alternative power and conventional commercially delivered electricity to operate DC powered devices and those appliances which operate more efficiently with AC power.

Comment from William Daspit
August 11th, 2008 at 11:52 pm

We should minimize our dependence on oil, which will improve the global warming situation as well. More natural gas vehicles. More biofuel vehicles – but no biofuel from corn. Minimizing our dependence on oil is of course a long term effort. In the short term we should regulate the price oil companies are allowed to charge for gasoline. In many parts of our country we have regulated prices for the energy that powers our homes. This price regulation model for companies that receive a monopoly to provide electricty and gas should be used as model for regulating the retail gasoline companies.

Comment from michele
August 12th, 2008 at 12:01 am

stop eating meat. this is the biggest contributer to the detriment to our planet!!!

vehicles such as hummers need to be removed from commercial use. they were meant for military use and are driven by people who think they are cute, but are huge gas guzzlers. suv's need to be significantly reduced as well.

our dependence on plastic needs to be reduced. NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS! we need to get out of the habit of needing a plastic bag for everything.

communities where we can walk where we need to go and better public transit.

cfl's that aren't toxic.

Comment from George Berger
August 12th, 2008 at 12:09 am

Why don't we follow the example of every other country on the planet? Massive populations in other countries all ride scooters everywhere, why not here? And, electric scooters have finally been developed enough that they have enough power, speed, and distance that they will serve the needs of most folks for everyday travel.
I think government incentives are needed to promote the latest evolution of Lithium battery based electric scooters, the ones with 3.5KW or greater motors. These have a lot of startup torque and acceleration, and most have a top speed of 42 miles per hour, more than enough for most folks. Range is about 25 miles.
The price right now is hovering at about $3,000, and will probably be less once the competition heats up.
In fact, pretty soon folks will have an affordable alternative to a gas car, with no government intervention necessary. All that's needed is more awareness of these specific types of electric scooters and where to buy them. – George

Comment from Thomas Jones
August 12th, 2008 at 12:17 am

There needs to be mandatory legislation passed on the use and recycling of plastics, as well as petroleum based household cleaners. A large portion of these products require petroleum to produce. If we change to vegetable oil based cleaners and reduce our consumption of single use plastics, as well as mandate laws that entirely encompass the recycling of plastic, we could cut out a very large portion of our petroleum use and dependence on foreign oil. I live in a small community and there are some plastics and paper our local municipality refuses to recycle. For example, discarded plastic toys, plastics which have come in contact with food, and certain plastic packaging, junked auto-mobiles, and plastic signs. If our government would subsidize a national re-education program and institute government based recycling programs we could not only reduce the polymers we cut trees down for, we could reduce our dependence on oil, as well as keep unnecessary plastics out of our landfills.

Comment from Debrah
August 12th, 2008 at 12:20 am

Some good ideas here–I want to emphasize the idea that we must reduce population. And it is not just about feeding everyone that some conservatives are stuck on–too many people means too much waste, and consumption. I am appalled at the number of couples who are choosing to have huge families recently. And many people seem unaware of the assault on not just the right to legal abortion but many neo-cons are trying to also ban birth control or at least make it very difficult and expensive to get at a time when it needs to be easier! Tubal ligations and vastectomies need to be free for anyone who wants one and maybe even a tax credit for it and we need to allow child tax credits/deductions for only 1 or 2 children,for more parents need to pay higher taxes–though maybe those who don't consume as much resources could be given a break(like the Amish)An extra tax credit would be good though for those who adopt children who are already here and need parents. We need to give birth control to people in developing countries –that is more important than any other thing we can do for low income peoples.
A poster earlier said liberals are soft on crime–I don't personally know any liberal who is (except for things like pot smoking) I think that is a sterotype that is not telling the whole story. I am a liberal though I am not sure how wanting to conserve the environment became a liberal issue– rather than the bi-partisan issue that it is. But anyway I do think we need better enforcement of laws so we all feel safer to walk, ride bikes, live in higher density areas etc. Currently I will not ride a bike or walk most of the time because it simply is not safe! I understand why some people want to move to suburbs or rutal areas when there is no enforcement of noise ordinances. Fortuneatly we live in a fairly quiet neighborhood–but I have lived in many places that were hell because of rude, law breaking neighbors.
one of my biggest pet peeves is public buildings where we freeze in the summer and roast in the winter–has anyone ever done a study on how much energy is wasted in this way? Also small gas powered engines as someone else mentioned being such gas hogs and are totally unneccesary–we mow with a reel mower–hand powered! And have edibles and perennials. I hate seeing huge mown lawns and highway medians –what a total waste of gas–ban this practice!

Comment from Thomas Jones
August 12th, 2008 at 12:20 am

Also, we need to have mandatory laws require businesses to shut off unnecessary lightning at night after the business has closed to conserve energy. It's a wasteful practice and businesses could use minimal lighting and security cameras if they are worried about security.

Comment from Sarah McMillen
August 12th, 2008 at 12:24 am

My idea is to find an alternative energy source. While the scientists and whoever else are involved in this process, we should make changes in laws… such as mentioned above in one of the posts, speed limits should be restricted. Also, it also could be strictly enforced.

Also, I feel that because we are using twice the needed energy source (natural gas), I think alternative energy would be effective because it could cut the consumption into half.

Comment from Larry LaVerdure
August 12th, 2008 at 12:51 am

First people have to come to grips with the fundamental underlying problem…the population is too large. We can reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose until the cows come home but unless and until population growth stops each new arrival will want 3 square meals, shelter, an education, HVAC and clothes and a family of their own some day. The energy problem is really a family planning problem with a corporate profit attitude.

Cutting over to renewable energy is all well and good and may even happen soon enough to avoid the worse of global warming but I have to say I have serious doubts about "the best government money can buy" ever actually addressing the real problems in time to avoid serious environmental damage and the loss of costal cities and many low-lying lands.

But if we do somehow manage to stop the corporate profiteers from making money while the ship of civilization slips below the waves, and bring a raft of renewable energy online and don't address the population strains then we've done little but forestall the day that nature will solve this problem for us in a fashion we will all find disagreeable.

Every politician, business executive and economist has a fatal attraction to the God of Growth. Growth is GOOD!! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. And that tenant of their secular religion will sink civilization as sure as launching a ship of solid stone. We need to un-elect every official who believes that growth is the solution to any social or political problem. We need to start locating leaders who understand that what the world needs now is a steady state economy. An economy that does not grow.

This will take some getting use to, but with all the blather about sustainable growth in the greenwash eco-babel that corporate smoke screens spew forth, ultimately a no growth economy is the only sustainable economy to strive for. We may require some initial contraction to a smaller economy in order for a no-growth economy to succeed but no growth is the future if there is to be one.

Secondly, especially in America, we use too many resources and we are terribly inefficient and wasteful. Reduce and fore go is not just dieting advise but a must for a conservation program with teeth in it. But conservation by some while others indulge in reckless consumption is a state of affairs that won't last long no matter how nicely you manage to dress it up. The huge variance in income between rich elites and poor working class will be a major hurdle to successfully navigating a decline in global energy resources. For in many ways money distortions in an economy means that markets are being manipulated to unfairly favor some politically well connected brigands, thieves and corporations. We have to find a way to insure that sacrafices are shared equally and that the poor and middle classes are not singled out to bear the brunt of the pain in a energy constrained future.

Finally on the subject of oil, it will run out eventually and before that it will become scarce. But scarce is a relationship between supply and demand. If we can decrease demand than we can make it less scarce and if we can eliminate demand we can make the remaining oil an abundant resource. But if we think only in terms of how much oil is available and give no thought to how much CO2 we can belch into the atmosphere than we have missed the boat entirely. That is the reason that we need to tax carbon emissions and force the price of fossil fuel use through the roof so that all non-polluting resources are seen as better solutions than spending more on dirty fossil fuels of which oil is but one. Richard Heinberg has written a perfectly clear and important book on this problem called, The Oil Depletion Protocol. Read it. It is the only sensible, rational approach to dealing with oil supply decline that I have seen.

Comment from William Fraser
August 12th, 2008 at 12:57 am

I see two key ideas. The first would be to implement a carbon tax, refunded equally per capita (though cap and auction is a close second and seems much more politically viable at this time).

The second, much simpler one, is to remove the tax deductibility of travel.

Comment from George Perkins
August 12th, 2008 at 12:57 am

Think of the quickest ways to get something done or get somewhere and think in terms fuels and engines or other means.

Ethanol has proven useful.

Some folks think well under pressure. I hope they're in on this because there's a Hell of a whole lot of pressure for solutions.

Comment from waynestroessner
August 12th, 2008 at 12:59 am

It is time to investigate the benefits of using Thorium as an alternate to the antiquated and dangerous Uranium/Plutonium Nuclear Energy Technology:

• This is what India’s President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said in May of 2007: "energy independence is India's first and highest priority." Kalam also advocated the need for using thorium reactors for the country, saying, "India has to go for nuclear power generation in a big way using thorium-based reactors. Thorium, a non fissile material is available in abundance in our country."

• In Norway, there has been a passionate debate about whether the country should convert to nuclear energy or not. Since April last year, Professor Egil Lillestol has been on the TV and radio advocating nuclear energy. But not just any form of nuclear energy – his ideas are based on the new technology of thorium, which promises what uranium has never delivered: abundant, save and clean energy – and a way to burn up old radioactive waste. In addition, there is no byproduct that can be used for nuclear bombs – one more reason for developing this technology.

• The Europeans have a strictly thorium-fueled nuclear reactor for electric power generation under construction in Belgium. This reactor is called an Accelerator Driven System, ADS for short. It has the following outstanding features: 1) it cannot be used for producing the raw material for atomic bombs, 2) it cannot meltdown under any circumstances, and 3) after 500 years its waste will be no more dangerous than the ashes from a conventional coal burning power plant.

Begin with: Norway Can Solve the Global Energy Crisis

Green nuclear power coming to Norway | COSMOS magazine

DBI Thorium Reactors

Accelerating Future » A Nuclear Reactor in Every Home

Comment from Anthony
August 12th, 2008 at 1:00 am

Can't think of anything too original, but these are important steps:

First, everyone should everything they can to minimize gas usage: keep tires inflated properly, cut down unnecessary car trips, car pool, check for leaks, etc.

Second: a yearlong boycott of ONE major gas company by millions, or even thousands, of drivers would hurt them much more than a one day gas boycott we hear about in chain emails. For example, we know a company like Exxon-Mobile or Shell make huge profits while gas prices have spiraled out of control. The best way to get them to lower prices is by forcing them to be more competitive and, frankly, putting a hurt in their profits like they put a hurt in our wallets.

Third: vote for politicians with solid environmental cred, and who work the hardest to help get us off oil dependence. Cap and trade, tax breaks to companies who reduce unnecessary oil usage, and more funding for public transit, bike paths, sidewalks, and better urban planning in general are crucial.

Fourth: we should all encourage more walking and biking as an alternative to driving for all those who can manage it. It would help with both our health/obesity epidemic, and the over-consumption of oil/gasoline.

Comment from Virginia Sullivan
August 12th, 2008 at 1:04 am

First we need to get Big Oil out of the pocket of the lobbyists. Then our country can hopefully move forward. If that is not agreeable, then government has to regulate commerce. Bio Diesel, water power converters for cars and e-85 need to be allowed to market their fuels. Not everyone is going to be able to afford solar powered or electric vehicles. That is not even feasible for people living in a rural area. Those who say just ride a bike, well I'd like to see you pedal 50 miles round trip to work everyday! Since there are three (or more) levels of economic status, several alternatvie fuels solutions should be allowed so that whomever can afford which fuel can do so when oil is not going to be the sole option.

There is too much talk and too little action. The oil companies have the monopoly and Congress is in on it. Auto makers have stock in oil and that is why we don't see many changes in new cars, except cutting out more steel from frames. I know this for a fact because I took a survey for an auto forum sponsored by the auto makers.
There are alternatives that already exist, but Congress needs to regulate this oil monopoly or they will not be able to be a feasible alternative for people who can afford them. Simply said, people who are ill with cancer are not going to be able to afford to buy a new car. That is not the solution either, make all Americans buy new cars. Ya right, not on my salary.

Comment from Lori in San Jose, Ca
August 12th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Promote "local" living

We purchased a condo close to our jobs and family rather than a house is a cheaper housing market that would require a commute. Fitting a family of 4 into just under 1,000 sq. ft. is a daily challenge, but we spend little time in our cars and more time together…and at the park.

We also walk to local eating establishments (no, we are not downtown), usually buy CA brewed beer, locally baked bread, locally grown organic fruit and veggies and locally made ice cream. SJ has the best local creamery, Treat Ice Cream. Yum, yum!

Comment from Sirena
August 12th, 2008 at 1:26 am

I think we should completely change our choice for fuel. I mean we have the power and the technology to make a cleaner fuel and its mostly MUCH cheaper then oil. (duh what isnt nowadays..)but the leaders of our nation say we are on a budget but everyone knows in the end using cleaner fuel would be better for everyone including our planeand it'd also save so much money. Course everyone knows you can change lightbulbs and turn off unused electronics and that makes a huge impact which is great, but in order to get back what humankind has damaged, we must take a stand and make an even bigger impact.

Comment from Gillian Clark
August 12th, 2008 at 1:34 am

My husband and I each bought our cars of personal choice; his, a truck for hauling, mine a Mini Cooper for fuel efficiency. His commute is 25 miles round trip. Mine is 7. We switched cars and we have saved a quite a bit in gas and emissions. I don't much like driving the truck but I'll keep on doing it until we can afford to buy an electric vehicle or a scooter.

Its a little thing and we're not as comfortable as we were driving our respective vehicles, but we're going to keep on with it in the name of helping our world. Little things can add up to make a big difference.

Comment from Isabella
August 12th, 2008 at 2:03 am

GO Vegan!
I'm surprised there aren't more comments encouraging this! The earth can only sustain only about 2 billion people on a meat and dairy diet. The earth can sustain all of us on a plant-based diet. It takes 16 pounds of grain and soy feed to get one pound of meat from beef.
The United Nations has found that animal agriculture is responsible for 40% more greenhouse gases than all the cars, planes, and trucks on the planet.
To produce one pound of meat requires an average of 2,500 gallons of water. To produce one gallon of cow's milk requires 750 gallons of water. By becoming vegan you can save over 1.3 million gallons of water per year.
The #1 reason for cutting down trees, including the destruction of the rain forests, is to clear land to grow food for farm animals. By going vegan you can save an acre of trees per year!
Animal excrement is horribly polluting of our rivers, topsoil, and oceans.
Industrial fishing has caused severe loss of life in our oceans, to near extinction in most parts of the ocean. Industrial fish farm waste is smothering the ocean floor.
By not consuming animal products, you will be saving the planet AND you will become much healthier. It is also, the compassionate choice that you can make every day.
GO Vegan!

Comment from Larry Irwin
August 12th, 2008 at 2:05 am

Include Boone Pickens in the national political discussions.

Comment from Jim
August 12th, 2008 at 2:14 am

We need to look at the bigger picture. I've seen news articles about an all water-powered car in Japan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ0kjilQd1s

Japan has sent 200 "test" hydrogen cars (mostly for Hollywood stars) to test out:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hydrogen25-2008jun25,0,1637234.story

If hydrogen is viable and not dangerous, then the Federal govt. needs to give gas stations (spread out through the country – one per city to start) incentives to install hydrogen pumps. This will entice buyers, and the ball will start rolling.

Why are we worried about holding onto our oil addiction? Let it go already. Bring back the EV-1. That was an awesome car:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOVdEKuQR1g

Very important: On youtube, search "who killed the electric car"…

We can bring these back, folks! They're aweseome cars!

Comment from Virginia Davis
August 12th, 2008 at 2:25 am

Solar.

Comment from Danielle
August 12th, 2008 at 2:29 am

It seems part of the problem is not expensive oil; the oil giants are taking in more profit–that's impossible if oil is more expensive. They need to be regulated; it appears that they can take as much profit as they want. If they want more money, just raise gas prices: problem solved.
So we get raped for no reason.

Comment from BC Macdonald
August 12th, 2008 at 4:18 am

Community built 2 place, 350#, peedal generator assist with a personal computer integrated. http://omni.mcn.org/ElectriLitrB (Draft)

Comment from stephenie
August 12th, 2008 at 4:21 am

As a petroleum product, shouldn't we be cutting down on the plastic bags we use at the supermaket? I re-use plastic bags or bring a durable bag to the store with me, but I like the system used in countries such as the Netherlands: if you don't bring your own bag, you have to buy one from the store. Surely this would help cut down on waste… While we're at it, anyone have an idea on how to get companies to use less plastic packaging material?

Comment from Guy Fox
August 12th, 2008 at 4:58 am

No matter what we do it will not work until we openly and candidly address the No. issue that is causing all the problems on this planet: THE DOCTRINE OF PERPETUAL GROWTH of the human population and the global economy on a host organism (Planet Earth) of FINITE space and FINITE resources. The problem is perpetual growth. The capitalist say that perpetual growth in progress… but Old Coyote Knose it's cancer!

Comment from Doug Wagoner
August 12th, 2008 at 5:04 am

No one (politicians in particular) seems to want to positively address my solution. We simply must start reducing our numbers. World population is 6.5 billion, U.S. over 300 million. Our planet's resources are limited, and humans are exceeding the earth's carrying capacity. Fuels are in short supply, as is clean drinking water. With little imagination one can picture future wars being fought for these resources and food supplies too. Americans can't see that they are the problem too. Europeans birth rates have declined considerably but Americans of all ethnicities keep churning out more and more babies. Many couples will say "oh we are only having two and they will just replace the two of us". Wrong! You have two while you are in your 20s, each of them have two (your grandchildren), and in turn they have two (your great grandchildren). At that time you are still living but somewhere between ages 60 and 80 and you and your offspring have produced 14 "consumers" (2+4+8= 14). Much better that each couple wait until they are in their 30s and have just one child. Then fewer generations are living simultaneously. If Americans don't start doing this voluntarily then perhaps it will become necessary to change our tax structure so that the "child subsidies" (personal exemptions on children and child care cost deductions) are eliminated. What if parents were billed for K-12 education tuition and building of new schools for each child they bring into this world? Also, it's my understanding that some health care insurance plans are beginning to charge for each member of a family instead of one rate for "single" and a second rate for "family" (without regard for the number of individuals within that family). The future could bring all sorts of "financial incentives" for reducing American population growth. Many will disagree with what I foresee. But how many Americans is "enough", 400 million, 500 million, 1 billion ? As if problems don't already exist!
By the way, I am 60, have never had children (or the desire to raise a family). Got a vasectomy at age 25. No regrets either! Men, it's time that many of you started considering taking responsibility for birth control instead of relying on the women to take the initiative. I've always been squeamish around doctors and hospitals but a vasectomy is not "an ordeal". The procedure is quick and painless and not at all expensive. I was able to "make love" again within hours not days. Alright I'll don my "flame suit" now!

Comment from Teresa Skarstein
August 12th, 2008 at 5:13 am

Some long term solutions would be making use of energy sources where ever possible, such as:
- Adding solar panels to pretty much every roof: houses, cars etc.
- Installing mechanical energy transformers in training studios etc, utilising people's mechanical energy.
- Adding wind turbines in underground stations in warm places.

Reducing waste by using more virtual/online digital distribution as opposed to physical media such as CDs, DVDs, paper etc.

Also, decreasing the transportation durations of farm animal freighting by building better farm-slaughterhouse systems, or simply working on developing in-vitro meat.

And another long term solution is working on getting fusion power to work sustainably. In the meanwhile, in countries that have thorium, building thorium power plants.

Comment from clint jones
August 12th, 2008 at 5:38 am

The problem with the so-called Electoral College; when selecting a presidential candidate is that it does not produce an accurate distribution of votes. The value of a vote should never depend on where you are registered to vote. We are all citizens of the United States, not just of each state.
The difference between States is remarkable when calculating the actual number of voters required for each E. C. ballot.
The method for calculating the actual value of each vote is to take the total votes cast (123,535,883 for the 2004 election) and divide by the number of electoral votes (538). This gives a value of 229,620 for each electoral vote. Using this as a value of “One”, the true value for each state is determined.
Among the more significant differences is the District of Columbia which enjoyed the greatest value of 2.99: the votes cast (230,105) divided by their electoral votes (3) giving a vote value of (78,701).
That means only 78,701 voters produced a single electoral vote compared to the national average of 229,620 or 2.99 percent advantage.
The worst-off states were Wisconsin (0.76), Michigan (0.8), Ohio (0.8), Florida (0.81), Pennsylvania (0.84), Oregon (0.87), and Washington (0.88).
In all, approximately 57% of the States had an under vote compared to the total votes cast.
It should be pointed out that these figures will vary from election to election depending upon the total votes cast in each state. However, the comparisons tend to remain essentially the same.
A more reasonable method of voting for a president of the United States would be one with a direct vote value. That is, every person’s vote would be equal to that of every other citizen.
In order to change the present voting system will require some political action which will change to a direct vote method.
Understandably there will those who fear any unknown method, considering the machinations of voting machines in various states.
However, there is a method of voting which has been successfully in use for well over 50 years and which we all use daily. That is a credit card. When fully understood, a credit card has so many built-in means of protection of a transfer of funds that we all tend to trust it for nearly everything we buy.
It is important to realize that a vote is a value and a value is a number and that is what all credit cards do, transfer numbers.
A voting system using a voter card would operate essentially like a credit purchase. We place an order by phone supplying the proper information to identify ourselves, such as card number and the amount and items purchased. When accepted by the seller we receive a reference number to identify the transaction.
Then the information is transferred to the credit card company to charge us with the monthly statement, which in essence is a paper trail.
Using this method we can receive our voter identification numbers from the local Registrar of Voters by mail which is then authenticated by calling back to validate the card, just as we do when receiving a new credit card. Thus, when authenticated, the card may be used, except that for an election the card must be cancelled as soon as used to prevent it being used again until the next election when it would have to be revalidated for each election for as long as the voter is a valid resident in that jurisdiction.
Should the voter, for any reason, be unable to vote, that card would be permanently removed from use. Anyone attempting to do so, would encounter a response that the card is no longer valid.
Upon voting by phone, one would only have to call an assigned number to vote which would be available from any phone anywhere and at any time during the election window.
Presenting the proper identification to an automatic voice-activated system, similar to those used today to route our phone calls to the proper recipient, would start the voting procedure.
Voice-activate service by phone is well established and could be available in any authorized language.
The voice would walk the voter through the election choices and when finished the selections would be repeated back to the voter for acceptance or any changes desired. Once accepted, the voter card would be automatically cancelled for the current election so that no one may use it fraudulently.
The voter would be given a unique authorization number which would be both announced and mailed to the voter as well as a copy kept on file at the Registrar of Voters office, producing a paper trail.
When the election is over, all the unique numbers will be available attached to each selection, either electronically by computer or a hard copy printed in the newspaper. Each selection will have these numbers listed under the proper choice, by which the voters may verify that their votes were properly applied. Since only the voter will know that authorization number, nobody will know how we may have voted.
Thus we will have a truly secret democratic election.
Several advantages of this method are that we can vote at any time and from anywhere by phone. The automatic voice would be available 24 hours a day for the entire election period.
The time frame for voting will be at least a week and possibly longer since we presently may vote by mail over several days in many jurisdictions. Also there will be no difference what time we vote since voting will be by universal time. Voting will begin and end at the same time anywhere in the world.
If considered to be significant the office of the Registrar of Voters my use an automatic calling system to remind those who have not voted within a reasonable time that the polls will be closed within a few days.
Although the above method of voting may seem strange, it is easily possible and with far less expense since it would be using proven methods of transferring a number which is what a vote really is.
A suggestion: since voting is making a group decision, like a jury which retires for deliberation, we should not allow any electioneering during the period in which we are voting. That is a time for reflection to make a decision we may feel comfortable with and being subjected to political information then is the same as tampering with a jury making its deliberations.
For anything like the proposal outlined above be adopted, it will require the active participation of every voter who may sincerely want a truly democratic voting method. The right to a fair and honest election is unfortunately not free. We must pay for it with our enthusiastic support. Failing this, it will be “business as usual” which has cost us too much already.
A nation is only as secure as its weakest link. The voting process is that first link between the citizen and the government! For our survival we must make it strong!
Clint Jones 360-681-0101
1170 words

Comment from Chuck Dawson
August 12th, 2008 at 6:00 am

Whenever possible, hang newly washed clothes from a clothes line, to be dried by the sun and wind, instead of using an electric or gas dryer.

Comment from Mark Schindler
August 12th, 2008 at 7:05 am

http://www.greentechmedia.com. Blue Fire Ethanol has
a contract with Los Angeles to build a biomass facility to use trash to
make ethanol in two years.

No drilling required if enough cities us it.
No increases in corn prices.
Saves farmland and forests.

Comment from KeriAnn Wells
August 12th, 2008 at 7:49 am

Just saw "Who Killed the Electric Car?" and highly recommend it. Since we already have EV technology, and a battery that can travel 300 miles on one charge, give automakers tax incentives to reintroduce EVs to the market. EVs have zero emissions and the manufacturing plants could conceivably be powered by solar or wind energy (this too could be encouraged w/ tax credits). State regulations forcing automakers to have a growing percent of their sales come from clean vehicles coupled w/ federal tax incentives would be a good market alliance and would promote public health.

Comment from Jerry Klinken
August 12th, 2008 at 8:13 am

1) PLUG-IN HYBRIDS: Push an improved version of the Pickens plan. I agree with Pickens that natural gas is a good fuel alternative to gasoline and diesel and a big step in the right direction, but it’s not great. Since critical greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas are only 23% lower than diesel and 30% lower than gasoline, we need to do more to bring the emissions number down. What would be even better is a plug-in-hybrid using an electric engine using natural gas instead of gasoline or diesel to charge the batteries. This solution would give us the best of both worlds until the time that technology is developed to the point where we can wean ourselves off of natural gas, such as with hydrogen or ultracapacitors. This concept could eventually work for any vehicle, including SUV’s, pickups, and sedans – even freight trucks.

2) SUBSIDIZE RENEWABLES: Move the huge government subsidies that the fossil fuel and nuclear industries are receiving to renewables. An oil company would never put up 4.7 billion dollars for a single off-shore oil rig if the government wasn’t subsidizing it. Nor would utilities put up tens of billions of dollars to build new nuclear power plants. Continuing to poor money into these dirty and deadly industries is completely insane and has to stop. Think of the progress we could make if that money were instead invested in solar, wind, geothermal, wave and tidal energy, hydrogen, and conservation practices. The enormous side benefit to reducing the burning of oil and coal is a reduction in pollution (including the vast health issues) and a reduction in greenhouse gases. If we’re ever going to address the climate crisis, the last thing we need is to pull more and more oil and coal out of the earth.

3) INCENTIVES: Create more incentives for businesses and homeowners to invest in renewables and efficiency. I just installed solar thermal because of a $2,000 fed tax credit, $3,000 Maryland grant, and county property tax credit on the land. (The $3,000 Maryland grant ran out of money in 2 weeks, so now I’m on a waiting list if and when more funds become available.) Two years ago I replaced my geothermal heat pump originally installed in 1985 with a new 27 SEER unit and also benefited from a fed tax credit and Maryland grant. In 2005 I bought a Prius and used the $3,000 fed tax credit. By mandate, every new house should be built to include solar panels, which is very commonplace in Germany. Any costs after the incentives kick in would be built into the mortgage and would completely offset the energy costs, which are rising steadily. It’s a real possibility if the right incentives were in place. Bottom line: Incentives work!

4) VOTE: Vote for the candidate that is most removed from the fossil fuel lobbyists. The stranglehold that big oil has over this country and the white house is palpable. The American people are desperate for a president who acts with their best interests at heart, not those of giant corporations and special interests. (It should be no surprise that Exxon/Mobil has seen record profits during the Bush administration). Unlike Senator McCain, Senator Obama hasn't taken a dime from Washington lobbyists or special interest Political Action Committees. John McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign and two of the top three sources for his campaign cash are D.C. lobbying firms. His campaign is literally run by oil lobbyists. Obama plans to raise fuel efficiency, invest billions in clean energy technology, increase production of renewable energy, and implement a cap and trade program that will reduce global warming pollution by 80%.
Senator McCain supports billions of dollars in tax breaks for big oil companies, opposes new fuel efficiency laws, opposes a national renewable electricity standard, and offers only $300 million for the development of clean technologies. There’s a reason for McCain's League of Conservation Voters lifetime score of only 24. He has a history of siding with the polluters and special interests, and a consistent pattern of ducking important environmental votes. Out of 535 Members of Congress, John McCain is the only one who chose to miss every single key environmental vote last year. Until we elect a president who has the fortitude to stand up to big oil, our dependency on oil will never change.

Comment from DANoVa
August 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am

The following ideas are all about driving down demand for gas – which appears to be working in bringing down prices. We need to continue this trend.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE: All levels of government (federal, state, local) should aggressively switch their fleet vehicles to hybrids.

TARGET HIGH GAS USERS: The Treasury should stop sending individuals rebate checks – which people are using for gas – and make a lasting investment with those funds. Identify heavy users of gas or diesel (taxis, school buses, etc) and assist cities and school districts in replacing their existing vehicles with more efficient ones. New York City has a goal of switching all taxis to hybrids by 2012. 4 years is too long – this needs to happen in half that time. Boston's efforts to switch are hampered by costs. Government assistance will help to make this a reality sooner.

BETTER TIMED STREET LIGHTS: How often do you sit at a stop light with no cars in sight? Street lights need to be more responsive to current traffic conditions. If we reduce our idling we will reduce our gas consumption – and if we can reduce needless stops and starts, even better.

FASTER TRAIN SERVICE: Upgrade Amtrak so that we can enjoy high-speed rail – especially for heavily traveled yet short distances (like the Northeast corridor). The Accela could go a lot faster if we upgraded parts of the tracks, making taking train travel even more attractive than flying.

These are all short-term ideas, but by making modest and immediate investments in a variety of small things, we can continue to decrease our demand without sacrificing our travel options.

Comment from "Wasz"
August 12th, 2008 at 9:04 am

I grew a garden for the first time this year. It's shaped my diet, as what's available in it is what is on the menu for that day. I've also been buying more and more local foods and goods in order to cut the food and product miles. Combine that with being a vegetarian (SO MUCH oil in meat production) and eating organic (no petrofertilizers!), and it's a start.

My fiancée needs a car for her job, but hers is a gas-guzzler. I have a car, but don't NEED it, so I'm passing the lease onto her so she can use it. It's a more fuel-efficient model than what she has now, and I've been teaching her how to hypermile (as much as is possible in D.C.). But I'll be using my bicycle from now on. If that fails, I walk or use the bus. I did this in college but I've grown lazy having a car, and taking away that crutch (carbon offsets or not) will go a long way to reducing our dependence on oil.

I've also been buying less plastic, as is possible (what's with food always being wrapped in it? ugh), and using reusable containers as much as possible, instead of individually wrapped things (or all sorts).

I think we need more solar development. I was reading in Ode Magazine yesterday about how the sun has WAY more energy than the world uses in a year, and that it's just not harnessed. Combine that

Reducing consumption is key, too. We really need to get away from an economy based on consumption (nations measure their success in GDP, which is composed of consumption, government spending and investment) and move to an economy based on meeting the NEEDS of its citizens – clean water, adequate and universal health care (including preventative health education), shelter, affordable and environmentally-friendly transportation to work for all, and healthy, clean, locally-grown, organic food.

And everybody needs to invest in replenishing and protecting the rainforest to mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions.

Comment from Aza
August 12th, 2008 at 9:06 am

I think that oil companies should be the major funding for hybrid technologies. This will get them to take at least a little responsibility for their actions as well as furthering the renewable economy. As a nation we need to start holding companies to a higher sense of responsibility. Perhaps with the millions oil companies make each year they can start actually caring and stop lining their pockets with our hard earned cash. Its not like this idea is an impossibility, but lawmakers will definately have to push the point.

PS DONT USE PLASTICS PEOPLE!!!

Comment from Bob Stevenson
August 12th, 2008 at 9:25 am

we have wasted a lot of years when we should have placed a CAP on all pollutants allowed by ANY industry. we have let greed guide us in how we live, not caring about our how we effect the world we live in nor what kind of world we leave to our children and grandchildren. we must get of our hands and take back our government and country from the big captalist like oil, pharmaceuticals, and big business in general. what we do today will have little effect on these big busineses if we don't STOP them from selling to the highest bidder, our environment and our constitutional rights. how many plants and animals can they destroy before they destroy all of us?

Comment from ellen hansen
August 12th, 2008 at 9:33 am

Use reel mowers and other lawn care equipment that doesn't use gas or electricity, (while transitioning to a more sustainable idea of the all american lawn).
Pair this with activity for youth who do not get enough exercise.

Comment from GS HERRON, M.D.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:44 am

1. Reduce national speed limit back to 55mph.

2. Develop plug-in biodiesel hybrid engines

3. Incentives to companies who develop alternative, sustainable fuel alternatives

4. Incentives to people using mass transit

5. Tax or other surcharge on light duty passenger vehicles that get less than 20mpg

6. New laws requiring more strict fuel consumption and more efficient engine designs

Comment from Jordana
August 12th, 2008 at 9:46 am

Get rid of those SUV – hybrids or not!!! From now on, only hybrids, electric or air cars (I have heard of it and that's still new to me) should be manufactured. Non-environment friendly cars should not be manufactured anymore. That way people will have no choice but to buy hybrids when they get rid of their old cars. Also, we need to find alternate means besides oil that are environment friendly. Too much focus is on finding more oil. We need to become creative rather than being stuck on the idea of finding more oil.

Comment from Vegan
August 12th, 2008 at 9:56 am

Besides our all-electric car for errands, having all-green electricity, and going vegan (including the cats – Evolution & VegeCat), we also never fly. These are the big things our family does that contribute most to saving oil.

Smaller changes have been growing a veggie garden, using cloth bags, going organic & local as much as possible for bought food, planting trees (7 this year, 8 last year), using an electric mower for what's left of the lawn, composting all we can, recycling all we can, minimizing water use, avoiding packaging, buying less stuff, buying used goods & clothing.

The biggest polluter is the war machine. Do what you can to stop wars. But in the meantime there's much you can do on a personal, local level to make a valuable difference. And if many people make significant changes in their consumption it will make a huge difference.

Comment from Melissa Jordan
August 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am

I have coped with this situation in several ways. I am working almost full-time from home. I am trying to combine as many car trips as possible. I am planting as much food as possible to decrease my dependence on grocery stores and am increasing my consumption of food from local farmers markets. I also try to drive 55-65 MPH.

I agree with all the other bloggers who brought up the issue of improving our mass transit options. In my community railroad ties were ripped up in the last few years, a foolhardy move, it seems. I think that bringing back a clean rail system and bolstering our existing bus line would help a lot in my rural community.

Melissa Jordan

Comment from Leigh Pinkston
August 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am

Jimmy Carter brought us the hope of alternative energy during his administration. Ronald Reagan destroyed those hopes in his first 100 days. Every wind that blows, every drop of rain or snow flake that falls; every hurricane, tornado, or thunderstorm that shatters the tranquility of our lives is brought to us by solar energy. Without this huge and unmeasurable source of energy, all life would cease to exist on planet earth. How come we don't use it?

Comment from Mary
August 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am

Make bicycling safer. There are a few bike lanes and they are not enforced. I see cars in them all the time. People here have been killed by motorists. There are alot of people who get angry because we want bike lanes. I am fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood where alot of my errands can be run locally. The places are to far for me to walk to due to my disability but I can easily make these trips on a bike. Unfortunately, bicycling is hazardous and I have a baby and don't care to put our lives in danger doing so.

Comment from MalikTous
August 12th, 2008 at 10:19 am

First, avoid the government as any sort of solution; they've failed consistently already. The histories of the Baker Electric Car Company, the Fish carburetter, and other past high-efficiency technologies speak and accuse.

Second, release the complete information for the Fish carburetter (as backfit to existing cars), the Baker Electric drive system (for use in modern electric cars), and other supressed technologies to the public via the Internet. Destroy the veil of secrecy imposed by automakers and oil companies to gouge their immoral profits.

Third, ban zoning restrictions that limit installation of wind farms, Climax preheaters for domestic hot water systems, solar mirror farms or panel systems, and other ecologically friendly options.

Fourth, demand that the politicians cease stealing funding from fusion research.

Fifth, install wind farm and ocean current conversion derricks, not oil drilling derricks, off our shores. These both generate energy and shelter fish.

Sixth, electrify the nation's rail system and upgrade the track.

There are more, but these would be a start.

Comment from Arlene Mohr
August 12th, 2008 at 10:51 am

By setting my cruise control to 55 whenever i go anywhere has given me twice the gas mileage i used to get. Also, this winter the sweaters and slippers will be on and the heat turned down.

Comment from Joni
August 12th, 2008 at 11:06 am

I believe that companies should give there employees an incentive for carpooling, or the compaines should set up a carpool. The more cars and trucks that we can get off the roads the better. If everyone carpooled our country would cut our dependence on oil in half. Even insurence agents could offer discounts for those people who carpool. We would not only be saving the enviornment but we would also be saving money!

Comment from oneforpax
August 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am

In mid to small size towns, why not create a network of golf cart paths runnning parellel to the major roads? Between these paths and the minor roads, electric golf carts could be used for most all travel around town . . .

Comment from carolynr
August 12th, 2008 at 11:23 am

The subsidies and tax breaks given to big oil are obscene. We need to be aiding our alternative energy/fuel research and development and giving support to green start up companies in the areas of wind, solar, and electric power for homes and vehicles. We also need to educate our population and provide incentives and disincentives (yes, they'll be unpopular) to the general public for conservation of energy and water. Our local governmental agencies should be beefing up public transportation systems. Nationally we need to move away from big corporate farming and trucking of produce and goods from centralized distribution centers, encouraging smaller, local farms and businesses. I'm not proposing spending more money, but taking the $$ we now give to the big guys and investing them in local and regional solutions.

Comment from Sheryl Canter
August 12th, 2008 at 11:27 am

Wow – so many ideas!

I'm the editor EDF's climate change blog, Climate 411, and I'd like to feature a few of your ideas in a post on Climate 411.

What interests me most are personal stories about specific transportation challenges you're facing and how you're coping with them. I'd love to hear how you're adapting to high gas prices, crowded parking at commuter train stations, crowded buses and trains, problems with bike commuting, or whatever else you're experiencing. I'll post a selection of your solutions on Climate 411.

Thanks!!

Sheryl Canter
Online Writer and Editorial Manager
Environmental Defense Fund – Climate 411 blog
http://climate411.org

Comment from Randall Lance
August 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am

Nuclear power was unjustly associated with nuclear weapons 30 yrs ago against fears of Chernobyl and TMI. We burned oil/coal/garbage contaminating the planet with mercury etc. + CO2. Only geoengineering will prevent climate disaster if it can be accomplished. Unfortunately solar, wind, etc. can not produce the VOLUME of electricity needed as cheaply/safely as new generation nuclear power. Electric/hydrogen vehicles, elimination of all burning need to happen now and the unwarranted fear of nuclear power needs to be examined since it IS responsible for part of our current dillema. Also grow as much of your food at home as possible. I'm an organic farmer and as green as they get but realistic in my assessmeent of our options.

Comment from Jenny Russell
August 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am

1. Live within walking or biking distance of where you work, shop, etc.
2. Drastically improve mass transportation options.
3. Educate people to get off their butts and out of their cars. Sorry, suburbia is not going to be a viable option in the future. But even in the small town in which I live, where you can walk anywhere within 15 minutes, people continue to drive (including our mayor who professes support for reducing our carbon footprint). In my opinion, gas is still too cheap if people still jump into their cars without really thinking about it.
4. Charge a road tax for people driving personal vehicles. Use it to support mass transportation, bike ways, etc. It has to be much more expensive and inconvenient to get people out of their cars.

Comment from Lisa Petrie
August 12th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Hi, Sheryl -

It sounds like many of us here have been driving much more efficiently, and have definitely increased our MPG's. Rarely do I drive over 60MPH on the highway. I avoid sudden, gas-guzzling starts and stops. I use my cruise control and watch my RPM’s closely to maximize my car’s fuel economy. I plan trips well in order to avoid left turns. I avoid situations that find me idling in traffic. I drive much more gently. As a result, I've increased my fuel efficiency from 22mpg in the city to over 29mpg. Even more on the highway. A good thing, especially when combined with the efforts of so many others!

It's not easy to drive efficiently, though! I feel like I'm truly at the mercy of aggressive drivers. On busy interstates, traffic approaches as if out of nowhere. Impatient, speeding drivers flash their lights and pass carelessly, putting everyone in danger. In rural areas and restricted zones, I’ve been passed illegally not only on the left, but on the right. I’ve been sworn at – in different languages! – by folks who don’t understand why I won’t speed through yellow lights, or accelerate quickly when lights change from red to green.

I move with traffic respectfully, and won’t put hypermiling ahead of safety – mine or anyone else’s. But as Americans have gotten used to the idea of driving with abandon, it’s become increasingly difficult to drive efficiently, especially in dense urban areas. Sometimes, it seems nearly impossible to do the right thing here.

I've attempted to promote a hypermiling campaign that will allow those of us who choose to drive efficiently to identify ourselves on the road. I've written to several members of Congress, and to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I've also approached several environmental and consumer advocacy groups in an attempt to garner support for this idea.

I would love to see EDF promote this campaign. Based on the comments seen here over the past 24 hours, I'm sure many others would, as well. I've designed a bumper decal that could serve as a visible symbol of that campaign, but honestly, the design doesn't matter. Just the fact that a symbol — any symbol — gains national recognition would help us all share the road with non-hypermilers much more safely, and would perhaps encourage others to drive more efficiently, as well.

My decal is here: http://www.cafepress.com/hypermileUS. That symbol could just as well be the EDF "e". It could be anything, as long as it comes with education and outreach.

Thanks for helping us address our current transportation challenges! Hopefully, change is in the air.

Lisa

Comment from warren
August 12th, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Sir: I am appalled at the "oil boom" in North Dakota ! They are drilling wells left and right All the land-owners want is that royalty check. Why doesn't someone like Mr. Pickens put up windmills in N. Dakota, a windy state, and then the landowners can get wind royalty checks !

Comment from Susan
August 12th, 2008 at 12:06 pm

Trains – maybe solar powered.

Think about how your town will get food shipped in if there is a fuel shortage for some reason (hurricane, geopolitical, whatever). Every town should have an emergency plan for this – now – before it happens. Peak Oil is here and the consequences will be harsh if we don't start preparing now.

Comment from Jean Dickson
August 12th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Buy a Prius. Ride a bicycle. Replace lawns with native plants. Walk. Buy a reusable grocery bag. Ride public transportation. Frequent local farmers' markets. Compost, And when you can afford it, go solar or wind power. This is an exciting time. There are so many ways we can help. Our grandparents lived this way. We can also.

Comment from mooxer50
August 12th, 2008 at 12:17 pm

I agree,several states are almost free of polution from oil burning power plants! As long as we have a corrupt government,that accept's money from coal sources,or the energy company who burns it,we are doomed!They only care about money.Before congress let off for a break,the GOP had
a fillibuster to put off an energy bill that would cut out these pork payments,develop new energy sources like wind.If
we want change,we have to get rid of the corrupt people in congress,who have the best healthcare,the same ones who just cut funding for poor children to get medical help,contact your representative and demand chane.

Comment from camelNotation
August 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

When we analyze the oil problem, we must also look at the big picture. What got us here in the first place? What can we do to effect changes that are not local but national in scale? Here is a proposal:
The problem: U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Middle East, produces a self-perpetuating spiral. In order to defend our oil interests there, we must interfere with the region’s politics. We support both Saudi Arabia and Israel, both sworn enemies of each other. Then, an Islamist terrorist organization attacks the U.S., and we must intervene even more. Large-scale wars like Iraq and Afghanistan require a lot of oil and produce lots of greenhouse gases. But they don’t address the true problem: foreigners resent our intervention, yet we are dependent on intervention for oil.
To solve this problem, the U.S. should first wean itself off foreign oil. It won’t be easy; in fact, it will be very painful in the short term. A carbon tax across the board will force Americans to use less oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But many object, saying that this will ruin our economy. Not so: a carbon tax can be offset by a proportional decrease in income tax, which will increase consumer spending. This solution may be painful for oil companies in the short run, but in the long run, it will allow America to be energy-independent.
If this is implemented, oil dollars will flow to the U.S. government instead of the Saudis and other OPEC nations. And the U.S. will not need to maintain its presence in the Middle East. There will be little need for intervention, so America will make fewer enemies.

Comment from Bob
August 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Give up all of our cars, and accept and fund the best ideas that exist for new, lighter vehicles that don't use any gas.

Comment from camelNotation
August 12th, 2008 at 12:46 pm

Here is another proposal:

Another problem: The U.S. monetary and financial system works only when there are unlimited resources (oil, land, etc). Much of the money we see today is debt money: debt from mortgages, car loans etc. When a bank gives you a loan, there is very little money backing up this loan; banks can simply create money in the form of debt. Loans allows people to buy things cannot afford immediately, facilitating resource depletion. Of course, people must pay back their loans from interest. Where does this money come from? More debt. The total amount of debt grows exponentially; I don’t see how this is feasible in a world with limited resources. Additionally, the Federal Reserve sets interest rates artificially low, encouraging more debt. Congressional Candidate BJ Lawson from North Carolina sums it up nicely:

“An inflationary, debt-based monetary system encourages people to maximize short-term profits instead of long-term investments that are more aligned with good stewardship. Our federal government subsidizes destructive and wasteful agricultural practices, and preferentially allows well-connected cattle ranchers and lumber companies to profit from public lands at a net loss to the taxpayer.”

Americans can solve this problem by demanding change in the Federal Reserve, an unelected body. Americans can demand that their congressmen write new legislation either abolishing the Federal Reserve altogether, or placing it under greater public scrutiny. Easy money, while good for an investor, is extremely harmful for the environment.

Comment from camelNotation
August 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Here's yet one more problem:

A political impasse exists between Democrats and Republicans on the energy issue.

Dems want windfall profits taxes on oil companies, but aren't willing to open up any more public land for drilling. They want to increase "investment" in alternative energy. They ignore the economic effects of energy subsidies; Germany tried them, and now they have lots of solar panels but very little sun.

Republicans want to drill more, thinking that this will increase supply immediately. They ignore the realities of the oil industry (drilling is expensive; not all places are good for drillng).

A solution would be to elect intelligent, creatively-thinking representatives/senators into Congress that can do what's best for this nation, not just special interests.

Comment from Sara
August 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pm

We need to consume less. Speak up at your grocery store to tell them to stop supplying plastic bags. Walk when ever possible, group errands and see if you can group them with your neighbors so that only one car is on the road. Turn off lights, tv's, computers when not using them, both at work and at home. Plant a garden, compost, and use native species in landscaping. Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) to help cut the distance your food travels as well as packaging.

Nationally, we need to improve the train system and local public transportation systems. Local governments need to be pressured to enact or enforce sustainable city / town designs that focus on shared outdoor spaces, compact commercial space footprints that promote walkability, live/work developments, integrated public transportation, community gardens and sidewalks.

Additional drilling will do nothing for this country if we are not addressing conservation, transportation and consumption patterns.

Comment from Jennifer
August 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Hospitals and large business campuses have expansive rooftops open to the sun… these need to be solar power stations for the community. Plug in cars to solar power stations. Highways also are exposed to sun and heat… thermal power or solar power seems possible here, too.

Comment from Jack Mamiye
August 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Solar power is about to become affordable enough to compete with coal!
The cost difference of building a solar plant vs. coal plant will be virtually zero.
This means that electric companies would rather build a solar plant for the same price because it is cheaper to run (sun shines for free!) and maintain and does not have to meet emissions standards.
Check out Nanosolar at http://www.nanosolar.com

Comment from jc23
August 12th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

I work in the environmental field, primarily performing wetland investigations and wildlife surveys. I work along rivers in cities and in prestine areas in many areas of the country. It is heart breaking to see what impact we have had (and continue to have) on the earth. Whenever I work near a city, the air becomes brown and thick from factories and exhaust. Water pollution, litter/illegal dumping, and habitat destruction is almost always evident. We need to get our acts together — stop littering, RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE (it's so easy!!), push for and use renewable energy sources, buy LOCAL and most importantly (if possible) buy products made in the USA (not only will save on fuel, but will PROVIDE JOBS HERE!), mow LESS and plant NATIVES more (wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses) — this will help sustain wildlife, honey bees, etc. There are so many things we can all do… all it takes is a small change in your lifestyle!

Comment from Shane
August 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I've heard about trains advertised on NPR that get 250 miles per gallon of Diesel. Who ever owns that patent is keeping the technology out of our reach. We should stand up and demand the technology be put into use in cars and trucks. We already have the technology! The modle T got over 30 miles per gallon. I knew a guy who drove brand new caddillacs and got his gas paid for his entire life because he invented a carburator that got over 250 miles per gallon. He had to sell his patent to the major car companies or die.

Comment from littlee
August 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

over 58% of oil is not used for gas and heating its used for plastics and other products.go back to glass bottles, wooden benches,chairs etc. use paper bags. use metal for parts instead of plastic you can go on and on of things that have been replaced by plastic. just go back to yesterday when things were made to last instead of cheap plastic that brake and get throng away in the grabage which end up in land fills.

Comment from sisu1
August 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

1) Plan trips when using a car
2) Turn off lights and appliances when not in use, teach your kids! This includes workplaces!!
3) People continue to idle autos, busses, and diesel trucks when not in use!! It should be illegal!!
4) Take canvas bags to the store, keep in trunk/back of vehicle! Plastic bags should be illegal!
5) As one blog said, re-do the railroad system, use European transit modes-high speed trains, bring back trolleys. GM made sure these disappeared from cities long ago!!!
6)create safe bike paths, like in Europe
7) Schools should let kids walk, not be bussed. Kids in our district rarely walk, even 1/2 a mile!! Sad with the obesity crisis! Safety is an issue in some cases.
Put schools and businesses on a 4 day week.
9) Why don't we have good energy efficient vehicles! Jimmy Carter tried to do something about the whole mess during the gas shortage in the 1970s.
10) Elect an intelligent, intellectual President-Please!!!! (if only Al Gore had won, well he did..but)

Comment from audrey schulman
August 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm

Conservation is the cheapest and most effective action we can take. That first, then renewables.

Comment from Margie Diegelman
August 12th, 2008 at 2:53 pm

I think that a contest should be held across the country and the winner should be given a really great incentive. The winner would demonstrate how they converted their vehicle to a gas saving or alternate fuel source. Maybe a contract with a third party company who would begin tweaking and then manufacturing this invention. This could be the incentive.
The judges could be a panel of university professors or engineers from car companies.

Comment from cyc1ist
August 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm

The answer for now could be between your legs. Ride a bicycle for the time being. The safety of cycling can equal motoring if people use a bike just as they would drive any other vehicle. Education is the key.
I do, however, know that Americans are still too lazy and status conscious. I converted my car to electric for $8K. Electric cars can run all day long if we invest in battery exchange stations like the Israelis will soon have. We could have loads of jobs recharging batteries, loading and unloading them, and making the PV and wind to collect the power.

Comment from Melissa
August 12th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

There are so many great suggestions here in the comments. I just read that Denmark doesn't have land fills any more; they burn their trash to produce energy. Why can't we follow their model; they do many other things to conserve energy & protect the environment, as well.

Comment from Jose Tirado
August 12th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

The first thing is to indict Exxon and other big oil companies for gouging the price of oil and the existing gasoline yoyo prices. And now John McCain wants to continue this failed policy of George W. Bush THINK AGAIN!!

Comment from paul guenther
August 12th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Most of the good ideas above require lots of time. Let's remember WWII when we had to save fuel instantly. We used rationing – IT WORKED!

Comment from Hannah R.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

First of all, I agree with the person who said they should stop producing SUVs. Even the hybrids still emit around the same amount of carbon dioxide as regular smaller vehicles. Also, I think Bush should create jobs by installing solar panels all around the country and by building things like those wind turbines. The government could also invest in the projects of the scientists who have discovered all sorts of biofuels and everything.

Comment from hgrodman
August 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

#1 Tax incentives and credits for purchasing cars with 30 miles per gallon, more credits for higher mileage.

#2 Lots of toll roads use electronic transponders, even if you don't use the transponder a manual ticket will have a time punched on it, clock in when you enter, clock out when you leave the road, this can calculate the speed you travelled, higher toll rates for higher speeds, maybe free if you average 60 mph or less.

3. More free air pumps at gas stations to keep tire pressure optimal.

Comment from Sara
August 12th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

I saw a documentary on HBO called Who Killed the Electric Car? Apparently there were cars (EV1) that worked very well and had a large following but for various reasons (oil companies pay offs, ignorant government officials, GM), the car was taken off the market and destroyed. It would be nice to stop production of cars that use gas and promote production of cars that are hybrids/alternative fuel consumption cars. Maybe someone can talk to the GM and bring back EV1! What a big mistake they made!

I also think we should stop all new plastic production. We now have the technology to use recycled plastic so why are we making more? Also, we should stop the production of those storage/sandwich/styrofoam containers/plastic forks/plastic cups. We have the technology to make the same stuff that is biodegradable now, so what are we waiting for? By banning plastic, it will only increase the demand for the biodegradable stuff so more companies will produce it and hence make it cheaper. WE NEED TO MAKE DRASTIC CHANGES!

Comment from David, Louisville KY
August 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

"Storage/sandwich/styrofoam containers/plastic forks/plastic cupsstorage/sandwich/styrofoam containers/plastic forks/plastic cups," can all be made from hemp.

Such hemp products would be completely biodegradable.

The problem? Congress wants Americans to believe that hemp has no beneficial uses. As far as Congress is concerned, anything hemp is "marijuana."

Too, hemp fuels threaten the fossil fuel cartel. Hemp medicines threaten the pharmaceutical drug cartel.

Recreational hemp threatens the mafia and the international drug cartel.

So, Congress has a number of reasons why it wants Americans to believe that hemp has no beneficial uses.

Comment from Carol Luther
August 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

The oil companies are bullying us. We must show them that we can live with less. Restraint in consumption may not be fashionable, but it can break the stranglehold.

Comment from David, Louisville KY
August 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

"Storage/sandwich/styrofoam containers/plastic forks/plastic cupsstorage/sandwich/styrofoam containers/plastic forks/plastic cups," can all be made from hemp.

Such hemp products are completely biodegradable.

The problem? Congress wants Americans to believe that hemp has no beneficial uses. As far as Congress is concerned, anything hemp is "marijuana."

Too, hemp fuels threaten the fossil fuel cartel. Hemp medicines threaten the pharmaceutical drug cartel.

Recreational hemp threatens the mafia and the international drug cartel.

So, Congress has a number of reasons why it wants Americans to believe that hemp has no beneficial uses.

Comment from dave reynolds
August 12th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Hybrids, speedlimits, punative taxes and the like are not solutions. We need a national transportation plan, and substadies for developing (rebuilding) reliable rail, discourage urban sprawl (from my house there is no public transportation available) encourage switchong to cng lpg, and hydrogen as readly available replacements for oil. Alcohol is a viable option and can be produced from any organic material. solar and wind energy are viable options to coal fired generators, and methane is easily recoverable from any land fill in the united states. tax encentaves to energy providers to help defray development expence and infrastructure development would encourage investment domestically. also drill our own reserves to bridge the gap to independance. if punatove action were to be undertaken it should be a terrif on imported pertolium, with the funds going to support independande. We are the only developed country that does not support rail and public transport

Comment from jc23
August 12th, 2008 at 4:08 pm

In response to many comments I have read: I agree, we need to reduce our use of plastic. First and foremost, don't use paper or plastic, use a reusable bag (they sell fiber bags now at most supermarkets for about 99 cents, then they give you money back each time you use them). Second, we need to be very careful about burning our garbage in incinerators (comment about Denmark). Yes, it's good because they get energy, but no matter how good the filters, burning garbage emits 100's of toxic chemicals into our atmosphere. One study tested the blood and umbilical chords of newborn babies all across the world. All babies, regardless of location, had the same chemicals (100+ chemicals) that are given off by garbage incinerators. The Philippians have found a way to create ZERO waste — everything they buy, manufacture, use, etc. is recycleable, reusable, or biodegradable (put in compost for fertilizer). We need to reduce our waste so we do not need to put it in landfills (which create toxic leach water and lead to habitat destuction) or incinerators at all!!!

One of the biggest things we can do… SERIOUSLY consider who you vote for in November!!!!!!!!!!! McCain is a spitting image of BUSH!

Comment from Tami Freedman
August 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

ALGAE FOR BIO-FUEL

REPLACE OPEC. Stop US Dollars to Mideast. End "Oil Wars."
Pay US Farmers Instead while REVERSING GLOBAL WARMING!

Algae multiplies so quickly and produces so much oxygen per square foot that algae ponds with a total surface area five times the size of Colorado (1994 data) would start reversing our growing CO2 problem. Corn nets approx 81 gallons bio-diesel per acre. Soy nets 41 gallons per acre (both inefficiently using food crops). Algae yields as high as 15,000 gallons per acre!

Enough bio-diesel to replace all U.S. petroleum transportation fuels could be grown in 9.5 million acres – far less than the 450 million acres currently used for crop farming in the U.S., and the over 500 million acres used as grazing land for farm animals. Algae farms could utilize scrub land and polluted water areas, not affecting America’s crop/grazing land, while using waste streams (CO2 from power plants, human sewage, or waste from animal farms) as food sources.

To move the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil, would take approx. $308 billion to build sufficient algae farms. Thereafter, the operating costs would equate to $46.2 billion per year for enough algae farms to yield all the oil feedstock necessary for the entire country.

Note: The U.S. government pays $40 billion per year in defense costs associated with protecting Mideast oil supplies, then… Compare $46.2 billion annually going to U.S. farmers to the $100-150 billion the U.S. spends each year purchasing crude oil from foreign countries, leaving the U.S. economy (to OPEC / Mideast), plus $40 billion defending OPEC.

Unfortunately, in 1996, our government stopped algae research (with above data), rather now pushing two “well-lobbied” options: 1) Expensive, explosive, zero-minus Hydrogen (energy efficiencies below 100%, i.e. takes more energy to produce than you get), and requiring $trillions of dollars for completely new U.S. fuel infrastructure (changing 6+ gas pumps at 176.000 stations, & changing all car/truck fuel tanks), and; 2) Corn / Soy food crop to fuel (inefficient fuel source, raise food prices, increase hunger).

CONTACT CONGRESS, ASK THEM FOR “ALGAE HEARINGS”:REVERSE GLOBAL WARMING, MOVE US AWAY FROM OPEC. Algae, pond scum also a planet saver? YES, if we take action!

More info on Hydrogen and exact Algae Farm infrastructure numbers in article by University of NH, Physics & Bio-Diesel Group Professor (great appreciation!) Dr. Michael Briggs PhD:
http://www.unh.edu/p2/biodiesel/article_alge.html

And more info at my website: http://www.algae4oil.com TamiFreedman@aol.com

Comment from raindrop
August 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

To reduce our oil dependence we need our energy to come from renewable resources (wind, solar, hydro, biomass etc.) AND have efficient affordable electric cars and/or plug-in hybrids. If you have energy coming into your home from wind and solar sources and then power your vehicle through your home – you have essentially eliminated the need for oil.

However, these things need to take place now instead of getting lost in some legislation that says these things will take place in 20 years, which really just means they never will. The legislation needs to be put into place, which facilitates and mandates that these things occur – through increasing car fuel efficiency standards, through mandating that energy companies must adhere to a time table where they must have a certain percentage of their energy coming from renewable resources within 5 years, 10 years, 15 years and so on until they reach whatever the end goal is. If these mandates are not upheld, there must be really freakin' serious fines – fines that would make the car companies and energy companies say – hey, it would be more financially prudent for me to follow this legislation than to ignore it.

We can dream…

Comment from winonajanice
August 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

find another fuel that are biodegradable, recycable, cheap, abundant in amount.

Comment from skully
August 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Here's an easy way to reduce the number of cars on the road immediately – flip the ratio between HOV and regular single occupancy lanes so that you have only one SOV lane and two or three HOV lanes. This would also be a way to transition people into public transportation, since sharing a car is a bit like riding with others on a bus or a train. Of course, encouraging or forcing the auto companies, who have been sitting on alternatives to the combustion engine for years, to produce higher percentages of alternative vehicles would help, too.

Comment from Quinton Zondervan
August 12th, 2008 at 4:45 pm

Simple: buy a Prius, move to the city and walk/bike/bus/train as much as possible.

Comment from neosapiens
August 12th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

We need standards for vehicles that have been converted to electric drive that make it easier for state deparments of motor vehicles to allow more of these vehicles to be registered for use on the road. California has not done well in this area.

The technology to create a light-weight composite commuter car (like Aptera) is available. Flexible, thin-film solar panels are just becoming practical. It would be great if there were state or federal tax credits to help push the combination–a commuter car that can charge its own battery during the workday. My daily commute would be possible if a commuter car were available that could be driven on the freeway and be able to go 60 miles (total round trip) on one overnight charge plus 9 hours of sunlight in the parking lot.

Comment from Linda in Auburn, WA
August 12th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

I would like to see us encourage ecovillage structures along with living better for alot less money. We need to get our wages and living costs way down to compete with countries like India, Thailand and China.

Comment from ling0
August 12th, 2008 at 5:13 pm

$4 gasoline? My 1998 Ford Econoline runs on Methane [Natural Gas] for $3/gallon equivalent. Methane is a major greenhouse gas currently being wasted by landfills and agriculture by the billions of tons every year. If we capture and use this much cleaner fuel from garbage, as San Francisco and Alameda Counties are doing at the Vasco Road facility, and change farming and animal raising to capture this global warming gas, we will no longer have a fuel problem. The planet will be a little damper, as Methane produces 2 H2O to 1 CO2 [gasoline and ethanol are the opposite]. Range-free would be changed to something like Kobe Beef production fro all animals with organic forage brought by, what else?, natural gas or electric vehicles. The pipelines are already here, making Methane a doubly safer fuel [gases are safer than liquids]. No melting freeways from tanker crashes. My van handles better because of the heavy tank, but the extra weight is offset by the much higher octane rating of Methane-128 versus 81-91 for gasoline and 105 for ethanol.
What do we do about areas of the country without natural gas? Use a little sunshine and water and convert coal to Methane, ethers [really clean diesel fuels Herr Dokteur
Diesel would love], fertilizer and elemental mercury, a valuable resource for science and technology [just not in my air, please]. In 5-600 years, we could mine the crust for the trillions of tons of methane hydrite, but that might lead to Waterworld. Hopefully we will have invested in solar, wind, wave and geothermal and clean fusion, so we won't be over a barrel. Methane can run the train!

Comment from Steve L.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:54 pm

Let's push for a massive investment in Amtrak rail service. While many light-rail transit systems require lots of money to lay new track and purchase new trains, Amtrak uses existing rail lines. There are many places in the country where people commute between two larger cities and there is no current alternative to driving. For example, many people live in Toledo, OH and work in Detroit Mi. Although these cities are only separated by 55 miles and each already has an Amtrak station and service, Amtrak does not connect the two. Such a connection would cut down on travel for both business and leisure travelers. There are a lot of other adjacent cities that could use Amtrak service to cut down on regional travel.

Comment from Ralph
August 12th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Well, first, Limits to Growth must be required reading for every high school student in the country. This small paperback was published in the early '70's, before the first oil crises. Second, everyone needs to realize that the current energy policy has one objective: boost the economy of Texas. We all need to realize that we are a country, and simply supporting those who want the 4th vacation condo is not an energy policy.

I was shocked to visit Denmark 4 years ago and see how far ahead of us they are – the New York Times ran an article this week about that country. Everyone should read it.

Many people have responded with great items in response to this request, and I support many of them. But, it is critical to run the numbers on these things. Our ethanol is produced using ??? petroleum. Hydrogen, while great for pollution, is produced from ??? Nuclear power remains in the red across the world; it has never been profitable, anywhere (the French government has a huge subsidy for their nuclear power generation).

Solutions??? Well, as noted by many folks here, conservation is critical. Mass transit, bicycles, stopping all the waste with lawns, eliminating SUV's are all simple things that have a huge impact. Much work can be done from home, electronically, and that saves massive amounts of energy. My favorite whipping icon is the accountant that drives an SUV 10 miles across Columbus, Ohio to "go to work" – duh.

We should be fair to President Carter, an engineer. His policies were trashed by the Reagan/Bush team (well, guess who benefited from that…), but he was very perceptive in what he proposed. Everyone needs to go back and read his proposals. Smart man, and he ran the numbers…..

There is no magic bullet in all this; we all have to radically change our lifestyle. And no, it is not the stone age, its the smart age. As people in Denmark say, "we have no resources, we have know-how."

Our ultimate objective is very simple. Every day, the people of the earth must use the solar energy that arrives that day, period. There is no way to drill, mine coal, produce nuclear material around this objective. It should shape our education, thinking, discussion, and finally, laws for the next generation. As Al Gore and Jimmy Carter have observed, this challenge must be front and center…

Comment from pakman6
August 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm

After inflating your tires to the maximum level, use the shifter to slip your car into neutral whenever you head down a grade (provided you have a large distance between you and any cars behind you). I added an extra 60 miles to a tank of gas by using this technique on a recent trip on two-lane highways.

Comment from George B.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Find a better way to fuel the military machine (and I don't mean finding new wars.) One of the biggest users of oil has got to be the US Armed Forces. By converting over their vehicles, planes, generators, etc., from petroleum-based fuels to other sustainable and renewable resources would really kick the rest of the country to do something as well as provide certain businesses with new lines of manufacturing as well as creating new employment opportunities. As an example, the military could contract one of the big three auto makers to build efficient and non-oil driven ground vehicles, which would boost their flagging sales and prop up their businesses for years while reducing the military's dependency on petroleum-based fuels.

Comment from Kyle McAdam
August 12th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

According to ABC New from a news story aired on Wednsday August 6th(?),checking tire pressure and filling your tires if necessary will save almost as much oil as off shore drilling will get us. If everyone in America filled their tires with air, will save 800 thousand barrels of oil/day while at its peak drilling will only get about 1.3 million.

If we add other car maintainance on like oil changes and tune ups etc plus driving the speed limit will probably save as much if not more oil than drilling off our our coasts.

Comment from Russ Seekatz
August 12th, 2008 at 6:35 pm

I have a small suggestion that I am sure has been considered before but given the recent rise in prices of oil….

Why not make it mandatory to give all U.S. employees the option of working four 10-hour days (having either Mon. or Fri. OFF) in the for all sectors, including private?

This would allow more American citizents to:

1. Save money on gas.
2. Spend less time in traffic.
3. Decrease the amount of pollution from traveling to work less.

Start a petition and see how many people sign up for it. This isn't something that would be that hard to enact and companies can offer it as a benefit to their employees. Employees should have the option of having either M or F off. This is something the we can do now to help the economy and the environment! It might not work for everybody, but it will work for many!

Seekastar

Comment from Eve
August 12th, 2008 at 6:47 pm

Insist that the car industries come up with a "meat and potatoes commuter car. Electric hi-bred. We don't need THE VOLT. Good god man half the nation is trying to pay down credit card debt and stay in their homes. Oh let's go look at that 45,000.00 electric sports car. A car like the prius but even less fancy. Roll up window. Air and a stereo/radio. If you want more you can get more. But if you get a 14,000.00-16,000.00 good quality (like the Corolla only electric) you will be a star. People who have extra money can buy the big giant cars but should have to pay a carbon tax for using excess gas. It is a no brainer that gas/oil should be treated as a toxic expensive alternative. Adjust the dials now before it brings us all to our knees. Look at what is happing in The soviet Union. Georgia has Oil. Are we going to go to war under the pretext of protecting Democracy…or to save our oil link? Another fuel war. We must eliminate that sick dependency. Look at each house as a electrical producer-not consumer. If everyone was solar and hooked to the grid…they could make their own and then sell their extra electric. I know there is a way to get everybody creating energy that the electric companies should HAVE to buy from us. We have been buying from them for all these years. I know there is a way to make this happen. Then you can just charge your car on your own electricity. Think of how much cleaner our air would be…We need to stop the coal burning. Look at China…they are now burning more coal than the U.S.A., Europe, and Japan all together. Global warming is all of our responsibilities and we should demand a cleaner environment. I am working on a way to make it affordable for every house to be solar. WE should all be able to rent our roofs to our electric companies.
It will be a big help if our failing car companies wake up and look at what is coming. A bunch of old baby boomers people who can't afford the gas to drive their huge cars.

Comment from swhite
August 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm

To say the least, this got a lot of people thinking.
We need to change our modes of energy production and transportation..
I just finished "Earth: the Sequel" and highly recommend it to all who are concerned. It is an easy read and explains much of the ways in which we can address these problems we have created.

A change in our overly enthusiastic pursuit of "things" for the sake of having must change. Downsize everything:
Cars, Homes, the concept of one house per lot, the amount of food we consume, "stuff" in general and of course, class size (sorry, had to get that one in)

When buying, be conscious of where and how "it" was produce/manufacutured/raised/grown.

Did you know that commercially raised and processed animals for human consumption creates more greenhouse gas than transportation?

Did you know that making a meal "from scratch" uses less energy than anything that comes in a package or fast food and is far more nutritious?

Things I've tried that are working – solar pv array (power bill less than $6/mo last four months), solar hot water (cut natural gas bill in half) Yes, they were installed during the incentive period that has now lapsed, but needs to be reinstated asap. Catch water from roof to water garden, 100 gal at present to be upgraded to 1500 gal. Insulated subfloor, exterior walls next. Previous owner installed double paned windows and thermal window coverings. Converted large part of lawn to garden and did the same at school. Master Recycler. Shop at Goodwill and other second hand stores as much as possible. Keep running list of things needed from grocery store, hardware store, etc so can pick up on one trip. Speed limit.

I know people who are doing so much more than I am, and also know many at the other end of the spectrum. But I have noticed a trend towards change, probably out of necessity. As an earlier blogger said, money talks. Too bad the government and those of us who elected our leaders (or allowed others to do so without protest), haven't figured out that a strong environment and a strong economy can go hand in hand. Understanding the laws of nature and working with them instead of trying to manipulate them or "better them" (look where that's gotten us)is the real key. In closing, saw a quote somewhere: We don't inherit our world from our ancestors, we bequeath it to our children and grandchildren.

Comment from swhite
August 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm

OOps
forgot something that doesn't seem to be part of the picture anymore – population. We need to cut back on making babies … at least until we can figure out how to clean up for the ones we already have…

Comment from Lesli Bair
August 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

There are some great suggestions in here. I think education is key. Right now, people think there's nothing that can be done. I have heard people (all Republicans) say: "We use more oil to make plastic each year than we do driving." (This comment is the stock response to higher fuel efficiency standards, etc. and other remedies that Republicans don't agree with). My reply: "So what? That means you should use less gas AND use your own bags at the grocery." I am tired of this attitude that paralyses any action. Small things add up! Also, please please more funding for public transportation. Where I live, my commute by bus would take 2 hours, 1 way. This is impractical. I am going from the northeast side of Fort Wayne, Indiana to the southwest side.

I don't know that I have tips, exactly, but here is what we do:
Combine trips
Bike
Use our own bags instead of paper or plastic
Try not to buy anything new that is plastic (thus, glass kitchen storage, linen shower curtain, etc).
Laundry detergent that is not petroleum based
Hang clothes to dry
CFLs (!! But people need to be EDUCATED that they don't work in every fixture. For example, dimmer fixtures need dimmer CFLs and they are hard to find, and for fans with dimmer lights no CFL is available.)
I drive slower.

Thanks for this blog.

Comment from Jennifer Taylor
August 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm

Hopefully it is becoming obvious enough to the entire world… OIL IS JUST NOT THE ANSWER!!! Petroleum and its derivatives should have been phased out by now. Unfortunately for most, a few very rich and powerful people have been clinging desperately to this one energy source and eclipsing the potential of solar, wind, hydroelectric and hydrogen fuels in order to continue their profits at OUR and the environment's expense. Let's keep telling our and every government that OIL IS NOT THE ANSWER! We can do it! And we must.

Comment from Teresa
August 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

ALL plastics should be recycled. If they can't be recycled, don't make them. Many things packaged in plastic could be packaged in recycled paper products instead. Recycling bins should be at every public location. All years should have at least partial xeriscaping. Take out some grass and plant more bushes, trees, wildflowers and plants suited for the local environment. They use less water, and are hardier. And bees, butterfies and hummingbirds love wildflowers!! Compost egg shells, fruit and veggie waste, coffee grounds etc. Less waste in the landfill and it's great for your garden! Solar, wind and thermal energy. States must become proactive and madate things like solar water heaters. China already does it in some cities on a large scale and it's pretty affordable. Check out the videos on U-tube. Biofuel made from waste products like cooking oil and plants, but not corn. If it's a choice between food or fuel, there is no choice!! All vehicles should be hybrid or run on alternative fuels.

Comment from bradmeloche
August 12th, 2008 at 7:45 pm

I suggest that all priority highways have the stoplights timed to the speed limit during times of heavy use, and convert to yellow flashers (red flashers for cross traffic from local streets) from 9pm to 6 am. We’ve got to stop using highways as our personal side streets and give them priority. All we’ve done is enable suburban sprawl and increasing commuters.

This would aid the trucking industry to save fuel as well. The US trucks about everything.

Comment from Clyde Lofton
August 12th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

I have been frustrated for many years now about how the auto companies and the petroleum companies have a monopoly-dictatorship over the way that automobiles are designed.
The infernal combustion engine is so inefficient and wasteful in the regards of both heat and exhaust pollution.
Can't American innovation be given a chance to put the infernal combustion engine once and for all in the scrap heap/s of civilization and make planned obsolescence a thing of the past, while increasing the efficiency of vehicles and eliminating exhaust pollution by making energy
efficient electric cars, like the Tesla Roadster a national economic priority?
The transmissions of conventional vehicles are another major built in inefficiency.
Energy efficient electric vehicles of the future should have motors that are coupled to the rear wheels directly,
instead of being connected by transmission.
Transmission driven vehicles have to have a large amount of
lubrication so that they won't burn up at high speeds and the arrangement of multiple gears is another built in inefficiency as well.
I hate the combustion engine and corresponding transmissions also, for the overwhelming comlexities involved with their designs.
Electric vehicles are much more simple, and they also wouldn't break down all of the time like combustion engine and transmission driven automobiles do, leaving people stranded.
Conventional automobiles are designed to break down and leave people stranded only so that the big corporations can make more profit at the expense of every consumer because of planned obsolescence.
America needs a large infrastructure change, to make automobiles both energy independent and energy efficient!

Comment from qdog80
August 12th, 2008 at 8:33 pm

What if we created a website, called say something like "carpool.com", where users enter their daily commutes from their homes to their workplace, and then the software would match you up with other people in your neighborhood that share similar commutes. Then you can get in touch with these neighbors via the website and organize a carpool schedule with them. I see this as a way to diminish C02 emissions as well as decongest traffic on our roads and highways, not to mention fostering a sense of community. It might be too idealistic and unfeasible though, but maybe it's worth looking into?

Comment from Dave
August 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

Since so many items are made of plastic which comes from oil, mandatory recycling will reduce some oil usage. Tax incentives for companies using recycled products. Recycling will also reduce our landfills. Use existing alternative energies such as geothermal, solar, methane gas, wind, etc and continue to improve by research.

Comment from shaunorris
August 12th, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Oil is a fact of life for Americans. It will take between 10 to 15 years to faze out gasoline engines so we will need oil for the short term en masse, assuming alternative cars and trucks can even find their way to the marketplace. We must drill now like it is the Manhattan Project to stop funding terrorism. And, realize Russia's GAZPROM is the largest oil company, and in fact, the largest company, in the world. Do you really want to pay Russia for anything? In my opinion, Saudi Arabia is the lesser of two evils. The Saudi's haven't forgotten how we saved them from Saddam Hussein – IRAQ – in 1991. Recall Desert Storm? This is my opinion and my next blog will detail how we manage the monopolistic oil companies.

Comment from shaunorris
August 12th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

Oil should be regulated as if it were a UTILITY, like the gas and electric companies. Without oil our economy would completely collapse and there would be food riots and anarchy and martial law. The record profits made by the oil companies while we all spend half our paychecks so we can pay for gas to get to work and the grocery store is obscene, and frankly treasonous during a time of war. Without an economy and without oil we would lose the war, and you are a fool if you want that to happen. Regulate oil companies like a UTILITY BILL. It is going to take some time to get alternative fuels and engines in the marketplace for everyone. Few have $100,000 to buy Honda's hydrogen car. And where will you get the damn hydrogen from? Think.

Comment from swhite
August 12th, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Yes, shaunorris because we have been living with our heads in the sand and it's really not hurting enough yet, it's going to take time to faze out the gasoline engine. In the meantime, we need to get real and cut our use of fossil fuels to the best of our ability, BUT that won't ever happen if oil is cheap. Face it, the ice caps are melting, weather is changing, the northern latitudes are getting warmer opening up new territory for pathogen carrying critters and invasive species. More oil is not the solution. Tough problems need tough solutions. As long as things are cushy, Americans are NOT going to change their ways. Developing nations are not going to curtail their desire to what we have if we don't take the lead and show them we are serious about being a part of the change, setting an example and not just pointing fingers at everyone else. If all financial aid to the oil companies is pulled and given to alternative R&D, we may get somewhere. Our parents/grandparents (depending on your age) got through the depression, we threw everything we had into WWII, we put men on the moon – it all depends on where everyone wants to put their priorities. In case anyone has forgotten what this is all about, its climate change, not the price of gasoline.

Funny what this nation can do when we have the right incentives. As my Dad used to say, "It's time to get the lead out and get going."

Comment from natureali
August 12th, 2008 at 9:15 pm

STOP Pelosi from capitulating to big oil and letting our oceans and wildlife refuges from being places where greed rules!!! High gas prices are the best thing that has happened to our planet to stop the madness of overconsumerism! This is the first time Hummer owners have actually started looking at alternatives. Gas prices go down and we will immediately go right back to only the selfish ruling our future.
Please call your congressperson and senator and tell them no capitulation – alternatives need be the only solution!!!

Comment from Charlotte
August 12th, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Hydrogen is one of the smarter, cleaner, renewable fuel ideas for our future.

Once produced, hydrogen stores energy until it is delivered in a usable form, such as hydrogen gas delivered into a fuel cell.

Hydrogen can be produced using diverse, domestic resources including other renewable energy technologies. The environmental impact and energy efficiency of hydrogen depends greatly on how it is produced.

Here are two of the safer, renewable ways to produce it.

Renewable electrolysis—an electric current generated by renewable energy technologies, such as wind or solar, splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Natural gas reforming—"synthesis gas" is created by reacting natural gas with high-temperature steam or by partial oxidation, then the synthesis gas is reacted with water to produce hydrogen.

Another great idea for fuel is compressed air!
Advantages of compressed air as an energy vector.
A vehicle powered by compressed air offers a lot of advantages in comparison with a normal combustion engine or an electrical motor.

The idea of using compressed air as an energy vector can, for example, also be applied to a hybrid vehicle, with cylinders functioning on compressed air and an additional battery working on electricity, creating a vehicle powered solely on electrical-pneumatic propulsion.

Advantages of vehicles powered by compressed air:

* The costs involved to compress the air to be used in a vehicle are inferior to the costs involved with a normal combustion engine.
* Air is abundant, economical, transportable, storable and, most importantly, nonpolluting.
* The technology involved with compressed air reduces the production costs of vehicles with 20% because it is not necessary to assemble a refrigeration system, a fuel tank, spark plugs or silencers.
* Air itself is not flammable
* The mechanical design of the motor is simple and robust
* It does not suffer from corrosion damage resulting from the battery.
* Less manufacturing and maintenance costs.
* The tanks used in an air compressed motor can be discarded or recycled with less contamination than batteries.
* The tanks used in a compressed air motor have a longer lifespan in comparison with batteries, which, after a while suffer from a reduction in performance.

The use of compressed air for storing energy is a method that is not only efficient and clean, but also economical. In 1973 CAES (Compressed Air Energy Storage) installed their first compressed air energy storage plant in Germany, making use of natural underground caves for compressed air storage and taking advantage of the surplus energy produced by the generating plants. Later on similar plants were installed in the United States (Alabama and Ohio).

These plants are designed to operate 24 hours a day; they charge during the night and they discharge during the day.

The advantage of these kinds of plants is that they make use of the surplus of electricity (at low cost) by turning it into compressed air stored underground. Later on this energy is used in a turbine generator to help the electricity network during periods of high demand.

With all kinds of wonderful, creative ideas out there, why would we want to continue drilling for dirty, non-renewable, expensive fossil fuels? It makes no sense to continue investing in them anymore. We should be putting our money and our "gray matter energy" into the areas of science and creative inventions for all energy.

Comment from shaunorris
August 12th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

natureali – what are talking about? You think it is just fine people are losing their shirts because they are paying $200 a month to big oil just to get to work and back? We need to drill now including ANWR, like its the Manhattan Project. It will take at least 10 to 15 years to faze out all the cars on the road right now. Honestly, I think you all have your heads in the sand because global warming is being caused by the sun melting the polar caps, not people driving their cars.

Comment from shaunorris
August 12th, 2008 at 10:13 pm

swhite – I think you work for big oil. Anyone here writing that it is a good thing our economy is heading to a depression because of high energy prices must work for big oil. After all, they are the ones making the record 20 Billion profits (net) Plus whether our economy is good or bad. It don't matter, we have to get to where we need to go.

Comment from Alya
August 12th, 2008 at 11:53 pm

Education, education, education. There should be a public campaign to tutor EVERYONE on the best practices. Al Gore's 10 things that everyone can do – for example, why brush your teeth with warm water? It's been done before and can be done again. A public campaign to make walking and biking normal modes of transportation again. More affordable housing in urban areas, please. Safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

Comment from harpchic
August 13th, 2008 at 12:07 am

Long term, what about Bio-Mass? The Europeans have looked into this 2nd generation bio fuel. If we could get our farmers generating 2 products, Corn and grains for food and silage for bio fuel wouldn't that be great for them? A by-product earning them money just like the sugar cane stalks do in Brazil which is how they make their ethanol. We could also encourage home owners to recycle their yard waste like lawn clippings and leaves if someone can figure out how to process everything correctly. There is energy there, we just need to figure out how to harness it!
Short term, more solar, wind, geothermal and more efficient vehicles. We have installed solar panels at our home and our electric bill has gone from $150.00 to $7.00. They pay for themselves fairly quickly and Xcel energy is offering rebates which pays for about 1/2 of the installation costs.
Research, research research! The more innovative we become, the less reliant on old technology we will be.

Comment from harpchic
August 13th, 2008 at 12:10 am

BTW, carpool.com already exists, as do several other similar websites. Check them out.

Comment from Paul Dorn
August 13th, 2008 at 12:55 am

More bicycles! The most energy efficient mode of transportation ever created,

Comment from just4alarc
August 13th, 2008 at 3:54 am

Better public transportation infrastructure and not just in the bigger cities, but all over the US. I've lived in Europe for several years and the public transportation network is fabulous, you can travel all over, from country to country using the trains. You can barely travel from city to city in the US using the few trains we have here. Busses are great as well, and I know they're looking at using hydrogen-powered busses (fuel cells) in Belgium – quiet, no pollutants. Something we should be looking at in the US as well.

Comment from Anthony Hathaway
August 13th, 2008 at 7:45 am

Lets reduce our gas usage by reducing the posted speed limits on major highways. Then there needs to be strict enforcement.

Comment from jdu77us
August 13th, 2008 at 7:58 am

I used to live in Southern California, where I drove 100 miles a day back and forth to work (50 miles each way). I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave Southern California. I talked my employer into letting me telecommute from where I know live (Indiana). My employer was very skeptical at first, but agreed to it on a trial basis. That was nearly four years ago and I am still working for that same company.

In those four years, other employees have left the California and continued to work for the company. Like most people, the work we do is done by talking on a phone or working on the computer. There is no reason for me to be physically in the office.

We need to get off of the asphalt highway and jump on the information superhighway. This is something we could do right now, which will benefit workers, employers, and the environment. It's so obvious, I can't figure out why nobody is talking about it.

Comment from videofilm
August 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am

There is really only one reason for and solution to all of our environmental problems. It all boils down to scaling back human population worldwide. We are way past a sustainable population and must now institute draconian measures to reduce population. All of the other measures people talk about have no effect when population is increasing at the current rate. We need a one child policy worldwide to stand any chance of averting environmental and social catastrophe. Personally, I decided against having any children back in 1968 after reading "The Population Bomb." I am happy knowing that no child of mine will have to live in a horribly overcrowded and depleted earth as I see it today.

Pingback from Climate 411 » 20 Energy Solutions - From You - Blogs & Podcasts - Environmental Defense Fund
August 13th, 2008 at 9:18 am

[...] network asking how people were coping with high oil prices. The response on our sister blog, the Green Room, was enthusiastic – over 600 comments! Here are some of our favorites, organized by [...]

Comment from lucyjo3809
August 13th, 2008 at 9:18 am

Why are we wasting billions of dollars on drilling/mining/processing coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and ethanol? None of these fuels are good for the environment. Instead, why aren't we putting money into solar, wind, and hydro?

Why aren't we requiring every office building to have a green roof?

Why aren't we encouraging every house to have a metal roof? Every home to have rain barrels to collect rain? Every yard to go native? Every homeowner to hook up to or install "green" power?

Why aren't we supporting better public transportation?

Why aren't we requiring car manufacturer's who sell cars in the US to develop rechargable electric motors and to offer cheap, rechargeable electric cars? Why aren't we offering rebates to those trying to buy electric cars?

Why aren't we requiring affordable and multi-unit housing to be intermixed with expensive housing so that workers can live close to work?

Comment from Sheryl Canter
August 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am

I posted a selection of the suggestions here on Climate 411 (EDF's climate change blog).

Comment from Lia
August 13th, 2008 at 9:27 am

Solar power, high altitude wind power, hydroelectric power, and ground wind power. Kill two birds with one stone- global warming and obesity- by biking and walking places.

Comment from Lia
August 13th, 2008 at 9:31 am

Here's something I don't understand- In Costa Rica, instead of melting down glass bottles, they simply sterilize them and refill them with whatever was in them. Why don't we (the U.S.) do that?

Pingback from Celebrity Paycut - Encouraging celebrities all over the world to save us from global warming by taking a paycut.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:37 am

[...] network asking how people were coping with high oil prices. The response on our sister blog, the Green Room, was enthusiastic – over 600 comments! Here [...]

Comment from Jessica Bennett
August 13th, 2008 at 9:46 am

- better public transportation
- less suburban sprawl (if there's a higher density of population, public transporation will work better)
- finding a way to make long-term use electric cars a reality
- stop supporting wasteful companies
- investment in alternative energy sources

Comment from Peter T Cizmich
August 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am

For me the biggest problem is how to take action on more than an individual scale. We know we have the best government "money can buy", but how do we elect officials who can resist the temptations of big money corporations and K street lobbyists? How can you get congress to tax the windfall profits of Big Oil when so many of them are beholden to Big Oil? Here in Idaho we seem to have a penchant for electing dumb asses such as Steve Simms, Bill Sali and Larry Craig. We occassionally get a gem like Frank Church or Cecil Andrus but for the most part our Congressional people are pretty ordinary at best. If it's this way all over the country, we need to find a way to elect more people who are true leaders with vision to inspire us to do what needs to be done. The Bushes and McCains of America don't have the tools to accomplish this. Perhaps Obama can do it but the jury is still out. He has some pretty big money in the background too. And as long as we have foxes in charge of the chicken coop, we can't expect them to do much more than throw us a bone once in a while. We really need a great leader to get us out of the mess we have gotten ourselves into.

Comment from cadethoerk
August 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am

We need a space race style approach to energy. Solar power both centralized and distributed would allow us to save the environment, become energy independent, and build a new industry that we could finally export the wold over. This with an electric automotive industry, see Tesla roadster, not the golf cart Exxon Mobil depicts in their commercial. Eliminate subsidies to the oil industry, and redirect these funds to a 21st century energy source that would be an investment in this countries future.

Thank you, Christian.
Nothing was impossible in this countries past. Lets make that possible now.

Comment from Darlene
August 13th, 2008 at 11:13 am

Mandatory solar collectors on every new building, subsidies for installation of solar collectors on existing buildings.If every building in the country were equipped with solar collectors and our electric services were nationalized instead of corporate controlled we could share power collected from around the country without greed creating high costs.
Price regulation on oil companies or nationalization of oil companies along with use regulation for consumers. The Toyota Prius gets 50 mpg, this should be the lower limit on vehicles, hybrid vehicles that use biodisel can allow us to reuse old vegetable oil instead of using fossil fuels.
We have integrated train tracks across the country that run through even the smallest towns, they are used for frieght now, but can also be used for mass transportation so that consumers even in rural areas have alternative transportation.

Comment from Jeffery
August 13th, 2008 at 11:32 am

Honda's solar powered Home Energy Station.

http://world.honda.com/FuelCell/FCX/station/

Comment from David LaReau
August 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am

We have an abundance of methane from factory farms, sewers, and land fills. Since methane is 23 times as potent a greenhouse gas as carbon dioxide, capturing and burning it to produce heat or electricity not only will result in free energy, but also decrease the global warming effects of the methane by 2200%.

Comment from dabnello
August 13th, 2008 at 12:34 pm

With the technology these days, most people can work from home, which will reduce the amount of cars on the roads. If companies provide these technologies to it's employees, both will save money, for the company the rent of office space and for the employee the money that uses for transportation.

Comment from normanbaker
August 13th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

I am continually amazed when our society has solutions to serious environmental and economic problems readily available and never uses them. Energy efficiency is one of my passions as a Do-It-Yourselfer. There are two things each of us could do to help the energy crisis that would help our personal lives and society at large. These two things do not seem to be promoted by corporate interests and have simply been largely ignored by mainstream media. Most environmental groups also seem to ignore them or at least not be aware of them. First, I have built three superinsulated homes, the first of which (in 1984) was passive solar. All three use considerably less energy than normal. One home was 3000 sq ft in MN and had an annual heating and cooling bill of $124 (no typos here). The other two homes have performed equally as well. Superinsulation always has a simple payback of less than three years. Existing homes can be easily remodeled or retrofitted to make them equally as energy efficient. Superinsulation of all buildings and especially homes should be mandated by the federal government. The technology for superinsulation and built green homes has been available for years. Solar domestic hot water and photovoltaic applications are also no-brainer things to do. Using LEDs, which are becoming affordable, id another no-brainer. Second, we could switch to electric cars as soon as possible. Electric cars are now available that have a range of about 60 miles which would meet the needs of about 90% of our population on a daily use basis. As a member of the Electric Vehicle Association, electric conversions (from internal combustion engines) are available now for huge increases in energy efficiency. In general, electric cars are about 4 times as efficient as internal combustion engines and they solve or greatly reduce many environmental pollution problems. Energy costs for a typical commuter car are about $250 per year. They are also easier and less expensive to maintain and they last longer and they are not reliant on fossil fuels from foriegn economies. The cost of conversion usually has a simple payback period of about four years (sometimes more depending on available technology). These two aspects of our personal lives, energy efficiency in our homes and cars, would have an enormous positive impact on the energy problems we are facing in our country. Perhaps Environmental Defense Fund should have an occasional article in their publications about superinsulation, photovoltaic applications, solar domestic hot water electric cars, biodiesel and other energy efficient technologies. We should also have an occasional article about family planning and how much of our natural resources are consumed per person. These articles should be written by knowledgeable people in those fields of expertise so we get current and real information. They should not be written by professional writers who usually operate on timely deadlines and have to curtail their research into an area new to them. An expert in that field could, almost on demand, sit down and write an in-depth article. These kinds of technologies and explorative ideas are at the core of being an environmentalist and protecting natural resources and making them sustainable and at the same time preserving our quality of life. These are simple direct things that are available now and are not dependent on some esoteric developing technology. Most of those esoteric developing technologies are just a method for corporate interests to gain financial control of a part of our eceonomy. The third thing we can do is demand significant tax credits for energy efficient homes and cars. Currently homeowners are limited to a $2000 tax credit. Commercial enterprises have no limit and can depreciate the entire cost (no matter how expensive) for energy efficiency over a five year period. That is grossly unfair. This situation exists because corporate interests do everything they can to keep the credits low for homeowners so they can keep control of the cash flow within our economy. That too is grossly unfair and basically undemocratic. If each homeowner had a $4000 or $5000 tax credit available to us to be used on a yearly basis to be claimed only once for each type of application and each home, we would soon relieve the enormous energy problems now existing in our economy. And that, my friends, is my humble opinion.

Comment from Georgia
August 13th, 2008 at 12:51 pm

We need to make plastic easier to recycle. Most people I think are unaware how much petroleum goes into making plastics. 16% of oil goes into the production of plastics and other chemicals.

As others have stated, we need to move to more solar and wind power, more fuel efficient vehicles, and more public transportation. Ford admitted destroying a fuel efficient car almost 10 years ago because of pressure from oil companies. Then what happened? Bush practically gave away SUVs to small business owners. It has been nothing but a CONSUME message coming out of this Whitehouse.

I can't believe people are falling for the drill now/drill everywhere. We should give big oil what they always yearned for in this year of record profits???? This market is being manipulated. Even the Saud's think oil should be no more than 70 a barrel. McCain wants to increase subsidies to these crooks.

Comment from Mary Holm
August 13th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

It's encouraging to find so MANY responses! Probably this has been mentioned already, but one of the most common-sense actions is to set the thermostat at 67 degrees in the heating season (we're in MN) and wear sweaters and socks and slippers! We hardly ever use air-conditioning in the summer (love summer for being the opposite of winter!), but if it's absolutely necessary, we set it at 80 degrees, and of course we're barefoot in the house. We do have Marvin windows, which make a huge difference in both cold and hot weather, and we had our whole attic insulated when we added on to our house. I have always hung out most of our laundry, especially sheets, towels, jeans and T-shirts–just use the dryer to refluff a bit if necessary.

Comment from Benjamin Joannou, Jr.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

From an economic perspective, I believe that people will do many things(or stop doing certain things) with the proper economic incentives. For example, if we were to significantly increase the gasoline tax, that would incentivize people to use less gasoline, and to bring to market transportation alternatives that do not use gasoline, or that use it more efficiently. The extra tax revenue could be used for a variety of things, such as reducing the taxes of people in the lower brackets, (they are affected by gasoline prices more than others), subsidies to alternative, environmentally friendly energy production (solar, wind, biowaste, wave, geothermal, etc.), and other places (besides subsidies to the oil industry), like eliminating our budget deficit and turning it into a surplus so that we can then eliminate our national debt. Our national debt, along with our cumulative trade deficits, has resulted in foreigners now owning an average of 10%-15% of every major US corporation. And don't think that we own a similar share of foreign corporations, because we don't anymore (we used to, but we sold them to pay for our imported oil over the past 60 years.

In fact, Europe has an average gasoline tax of about $5.00 per gallon, and has had such a tax for quite a long time. It is time that our nation followed in their footsteps. We

I know, no one's really listening to me.

I can practically see our nation's collective eyes "glassing over".

Comment from Anne
August 13th, 2008 at 1:59 pm

There are several ways I'm contributing to using less of our world's energy resources…
- Working from home instead of commuting to a separate office or meeting space
- Living in a downtown area where my need to drive or utilize transportation is considerably less than if I lived in a suburban area
- Using only natural light during the day in order to reduce overall energy usage
- Taking shorter, cooler showers to reduce heat and water usage
- Working with suppliers that ship directly to customers to reduce packaging and transportation usage
- Focusing on eating fresher local foods that don't require packaging or preservatives

What I would like to see more of…
- Grocers developing more relationships with local farmers and featuring them in a "locally grown" section.
- Packaging companies using only biodegradable materials that can compost safely in 1 year or less.
- Retailers highlighting their US made products, making it easy for consumers to support the US economy
- Recycling services conveniently bundled into trash pick-up services, with special incentives to encourage recycling or discourage excessive waste.
- Eco-friendly rating system for products

Comment from lyle
August 13th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

In Germany all escalators run only when someone walks up to them and turn off afterward. I think of the four department stores in our local mall with six escalators each running from 9:00 AM until after 10:00 PM every day, seven days a week. A simple light beam switch similar to the one a garage door opener uses could cut down this waste significantly.

Comment from John
August 13th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

There are two long-term strategies which have to meet in the middle: a radical conservation initiative and a radical overhaul of existing infrastructure.

Specifically, conservation involves:
-Making buildings and factories less energy intensive
-Recycling as much energy as possible (i.e. waste heat from refrigerators could provide hot water for washing)
-Making the production of food, clothes and other basic necessities as local as possible
-Telecommuting wherever possible and building communities which allow people to walk to work and recreation centers
-A million other things which I know people are smart enough to think of when push comes to shove

Infrastructure overhaul involves
-Building a high-speed, reliable electric-powered transcontinental railroad to replace as much domestic air travel as possible
-Turning personal transportation over to bicycles, light rail and other non-fossil fuel modes of transportation
-Upgrading our electric grid to accommodate inputs from expanded renewable energy production and digitally monitor and regulate distribution

Comment from Peter F. Cannavo
August 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Don't drive above the speed limit! This is a simple and immediate way to save gas! I drive a Prius and noticed that when I drop my speed by about 5 mph, my fuel economy goes up by about 3 mpg.

Comment from pk43
August 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm

I agree that going vegan saves a huge amount of fossil fuel: in the synthetic fertilizers used to grow the tons of grain fed to animals, many who are not naturally grain eaters– cattle and even farmed fish, as well as factory farmed poulty, dairy cows and egg-laying hens.The factory farming system also uses fossil fuel transportation,a nd of course produces methane and other unpleasnat byproducts. I think some people could be human, organic, local animal food farmers, of course, but the factory farming system is fossil fuel heavy (as well as cruel and polluting). I like to think that ethics and saving the planet go together.
I have read every comment on this blog. Most are constructive and thoughtful. A few are sort of disappointing and bad-tempered, but all in all I am impressed and hope the candidates will read this blog!

Comment from pk43
August 13th, 2008 at 4:58 pm

Sorry about all my typos in my post.

Comment from geistca
August 13th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Many things we can do to reduce oil use – and I work on this every day . . . reduce use of plastics that contain petroleum, ride my bike and the light rail train, buy sustainably grown food (so that less petroleum is used in growing and transporting the food I eat), walk to where I'm going, incorporate these actions into my classroom teaching, be politically active, share ideas and actions with my neighbors, and maintain humility as I learn more about what I can do.

Comment from JML
August 13th, 2008 at 6:10 pm

Cities should work on putting in more bike paths, so people can bike to work or the store, instead of driving or taking overcrowded mass transit.

Towns should put in more sidewalks so people can walk to and from stores without worrying about getting hit by a car.

Eating local food from the farmers market. A lot of oil is used to transport food from the other side of the country. Plus, the food at the farmers market tastes better, and you are helping local farmers keep up their livelihood.

Comment from belle123
August 13th, 2008 at 6:11 pm

For those who want to buy a hybrid vehicle or purchase solar panels to place on your property…go to "New Resource Bank" in San Francisco. They will try to give a more than fair interest rate to keep the monthly payments lower. For instance on their website, one can get a loan to pay for a solar system and pay only $131 a month. One would be substituting the electric bill with the loan payment…a no brainer….. one would eventually eliminate the loan payment and then never have to keep paying the electric company's annual hike in the rate.
Toyota plans on having a kit available for all hybrid owners to convert their cars to plug-ins, thereby making it totally electric. By plugging in the car at night (lower rates) one can save money. Also if one has solar panels, plugging in the car means, "NO ELECTRIC BILLS and NO GASOLINE BILLS"!!! In California and Colorado a solar company called http://www.RealGoods.com offered us the best deal. We had several companies come out and give us an estimate. Home Depot was one of the highest. So go to New Resource Bank and Real Goods solar, we saved so much money!

Comment from shaunorris
August 13th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

All of you that want change better learn how to use a firearm because it will take a true revolution to get to where you are. Big Oil will murder to keep its hold on America. We need a Congress that has the courage to make oil companies become utility companies like the electric companies, and I don't see that happening this year, not from Pelosi et all. McCain is not afraid. Next year will be better. Learn to protect yourselves. Big Oil murders people. Everyone beg CIA to help defeat Big Oil. They are destroying our economy during a time of war.

Comment from John Knox
August 13th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

What is the old adage – think globally, act locally? Well, the name of the game is just one word – SACRIFICE. Every one of us must sacrifice, be it money, time, convenience, et al.
Sacrifice money:
Responsibly grown food will cost more. Responsibly manufactured goods will cost more. Renewable power (hopefully the only variety available in the near future) purchased from the grid will cost more. Renovating your house to make it more energy efficient will cost plenty (in the short term). Can you skimp on your cell phone plans or do without dish network to make up the difference? Can you eat out less often and cook your own healthier meals? And on that side note, can you do without beef and the massive amount of water and feed resources needed to produce those burgers?
Sacrifice time and convenience:
Ride a bicycle for any errand of less than 5 miles. Choose one errand each day after work; you can fit plenty of groceries, produce, etc in a backpack. Take the bus to work, even if it takes an extra 20 minutes. Hang your laundry on a clothesline, indoors or out (don't tell me you can't hang clothes inside a condo – you can). Fill your diesel with used veggie oil, no matter how hard you have to search for just the right blend and no matter how greasy and messy it can be (is). Spend a few minutes every day reminding our elected public officials of their duty to serve our wishes, reminding them that they do indeed work for us, not for big-(fill in the blank, as in big-pharma, big-oil, big-Detroit, etc). Insist upon a massive expenditure on renewable technology; accept nothing less than the famous "Manhatten Project".
Please – just sacrifice.

Comment from Katie Carroll
August 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

I just spent a semester abroad in Galway, Ireland – and I think Americans can take a lesson from the Irish and invest in BICYCLES! Yes, there are many cars in Ireland. However, everybody in the city has a bicycle and ride them everywhere. I rented one from the semester and rode it a mile and a half to university and the city center every day, sometimes twice a day.
We have known for years our country is too concerned with what is convenient, versus what is healthy. Campaigns to encourage Americans to bike to work will cut down on greenhouse gases, clear our roads, and maybe make a dent in the obesity problem as well. In light of recent gas prices I know people who have already started biking or walking instead of driving these short distances. I challenge all of you to get out on your bike!

Comment from A T
August 13th, 2008 at 7:43 pm

Please remove my name and e mail address from this list. Thank you.

Comment from mpotter
August 13th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

we must first change the way we think! think long term! national bulding codes need to go green…new const. must incorporate passive solar design,with south faceing roofs so solar electric and solar heat systems can be installed as required buy new bulding codes,south faceing ext.walls can also be used for solar. don't build atomic reactors,instead spend that money on clean energy(without atomic waste) wind farms,solar farms,tax incentives for retrofiting existing homes and buildings,retool the auto makers to produce real hi milage cars,trucks,buses. use the oil subsidies to help pay to go green. electronic devices that use electric power when not in use(vcr's..cable box…computers…printers…it's a long list, waste lot's and lot's of power…the must go. new national electric codes need to require solar powered outdoor lighting with grid powered back up where ever installed…no drilling in ANWR..lets save that oil for future needs….like for lubracating our wind turbine bearings,electric car wheel bearings,ect…ect..ect. were going to run out of oil someday….let's start saveing now. heat pumps,geo thermal,wind,solar and real conservation…think about this! solar systems absorb the suns heat..with global warming happening now every new solar system will also help cool the earth

Comment from Melissa
August 13th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

Ok, here's my brain dump of ideas…many of which have probably been mentioned before but these are the ones I believe would work:

First and foremost, we need to help control the population. This can be done through family planning type education being given more everywhere, but particularly in places like India where the population is exploding beyond the means of the country to sustain it. We all also need to consume less; it doesn't make us any happier and the majority of what we buy ends up in the landfill very soon after it is purchased (please take 1/2 an hour to watch http://www.thestoryofstuff.com). Businesses need to go back to making things that last instead of disposable items (e.g. the toilet brush heads that you flush down the toilet…is that really necessary?) And people need to think more before using disposable items. Do you really need to use a paper towel or can you use a washable rag or dish towel instead?
I would immediately stop production of new fossil fuel processing/burning plants. I would require all new buildings (commercial and residential) to be built to LEED certified standards and be at least 80% reliant on renewable energy. Encourage businesses to hire locally or better yet, allow people to work from home or local telecommuting centers to reduce pollution from traffic and the need for highway infrastructure production/repairs. Encourage people to garden at home to get their produce. Everyone needs to focus on doing things locally until non-polluting forms of transportation like high speed trains powered by renewable energy are available…grocery shopping, socializing, vacationing, etc. We all need to eat less meat and dairy; this will help the environment as well as improve our health directly. I would get ban all disposable packaging from fast food restaurants. Require companies to minimize the packaging of their products. I would require that where ever there was a trash bin (where it be residential, commercial or public property), a recycling bin needs to be there too. I would ban all use of styrofoam. I would give a compost or worm-compost bin made of recycled, non PVC plastic to every resident and business in the country and give free classes on how to use them. I would take out the center 2 lanes of every highway and put in a train/trolley in its place. I would make 2 separate lanes on all highways: one for motorcycles/vespa-type things and the other for bicycles to safely ride in. Require a bike lane on all roads. If you could really do some major infrastructure changes, you could put a rail system of some kind directly in the road that cars could attach to as they go to on the highway. This rail system would be powered by renewable energy.

Comment from Lisa Rosati
August 13th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

I recently found a 2007 Pentagon report that is still available for perusal on the NSS website. It is long (75 pages)
This study has stunning information on the viability of orbiting solar arrays. I encourage everyone to explore this report.

Comment from Christina Wells
August 13th, 2008 at 11:12 pm

I think that people should start riding bikes locally around town or walking. Both are 100% environmentally friendly and the money you would save is amazing. I bike everywhere around town and I save $60 a week on gas. Plus, by biking or walking you are improving your health and possibly shedding some of those extra pounds.

Cities that don't have bike lanes should, so it would make the city more biker friendly.

Comment from Blaine
August 14th, 2008 at 12:28 am

At a time when more people are encouraged to bike, perhaps federal support could expand for free bike helmets, front and rear light sets, as well as reinforcing public education of bike/vehicle rules of the road. There are local organizations that exist to perform these activites to an extent especially made possible through donations and volunteers.

Comment from Clinton Gibson
August 14th, 2008 at 3:57 am

There are plenty of good ideas here, I feel that I could contribute a little.

Individually, people can help, as they already have, by joining a carpool or by utilizing public transportation. Individually, people may also ride a bike to any nearby destinations and invest in a basket if you need to make small purchases at the store. To support bicycling as a mode of travel to an individuals workplace, I also feel that cities could perhaps erect showers for people to use once they reach their destination, so they may wash away any sweat and change into their normal office attire. These of course, could be operated and maintained by charging a small single-use or membership fee, along with local property taxes. Solar arrays along the rooftops of such showers could also supply the means for heating any water used, as well.

Another thing that people may try is to focus on supporting local farmers markets, buy produce in season, and cut down on the consumption of meat. As opposed to making meat a main dish, each night, families can try focusing more on a meal comprised mostly of vegetables and grains, and use soy or tofu to substitute for protein. All of these products are within a lower trophic level, and generally need less energy and water to grow and ship.

On a local, statewide, and federal level, there also needs to be a change of focus concerning energy and building policies. City planners and civil engineers should attempt avoid supporting an urban sprawl. Such plans only makes commuting costly and energy deficient. If this isn't possible, then a public transit system should be supported wherever possible, utilizing buses, trams, trains, and subways. Architects designing suburban homes could create houses that use less energy, as well. High ceilings and wide spaces (however ascetically pleasing) cost too much to heat and cool, multiple bathrooms waste too much water, and larger houses waste much more energy than smaller units. Building codes should be adjusted so that they may not allow for buildings that waste so much energy, as well. For instance, the use of superinsulation should be supported, if not made compulsory. Skyscrapers, when built, could focus upon installing solar arrays along their rooftops as well as along areas of the building that catch the most sun or aren't already occupied by windows or other necessary facets of the building. Not only that, but those sides that face the sun the most during the day should have their stairwells on that side. This way, the sun won't cut into offices and air conditioning won't be as necessary anymore. Green rooftops consisting of grasses and other low vegetation may also be supported as an alternative to solar arrays. Whole neighborhoods with such rooftops could save energy by absorbing less solar radiation, while being insulated by the soil and vegetation. For skyscrapers, the idea could allow for a pleasant garden where employees may relax and enjoy the cityscape.

Solar arrays and turbines could also be put in place wherever possible within and around various city centers, districts, neighborhoods, and suburbs. A decentralized power grid could be made this way and energy from power plants won't be lost through friction within power lines, and the threat of rolling blackouts and brown outs could be limited. Any excess energy being produced from these turbines and solar panels should be used to run turbines that pump air into pressurized tanks or natural/man-made caverns. During the night, or when the wind dies down, the air can be released and used to turn turbines that will then produce electricity that can be sent back into the grid. Where this isn't possible, batteries may be used in tandem with the holding tanks, as well. There should be a major shift from a petroleum based infrastructure to one focused on renewable energy and alternative fuels, primarily hydrogen. An evolution from gas stations to hydrogen and electric "fueling" stations can be supported, and hydrogen-electric hybrid cars could then be used more widely and an actual market for such cars could become feasible. The government, of course, may help by building the foundation of such an infrastructure, and by supporting research for hydrogen fuel cells and the production of such cars.

Well, that's all that I can think of for now. Thank you.

Comment from Paul Smith
August 14th, 2008 at 5:43 am

Many of the creative ideas submitted have real possibilities for improved energy policy. However, there are a few points that most of the general public and almost all politicians don't get. One of the biggest fallacies for energy conservation is thinking that subsidies help greatly. Almost always they do the opposite, distorting energy economics by spending lavishly on products or systems that merely shift the costs around like the peas in a shell game, with the ultimate enrichment of some fat-cats, while the consumers of ethanol or silicon solar panels or whatever don't quite break even, and the economy as a whole and all taxpayers get shaken down for billions. The way this works already has shown clearly for ethanol and soon will be apparent for almost every current "renewables" program. They all should be focussed on research toward future technologies of greater cost effectiveness and true environmental advantage.
For now, and I almost hate to say it, the cleanest, safest, and potentially cheapest new energy source is nuclear. Its biggest problem is storage, not because of safety but because of the political power of NIMBY, reinforced by outdated, irrational fears.
Long-term development of renewables and of clean-burning hydrocarbons can supplement and eventually supplant nuclear power in future; but for now nuclear is the best non-polluting new power source.

Comment from Jim Marks
August 14th, 2008 at 10:01 am

There are several things that need to be done and should have been done years ago. We've invested billions of dollars in a space program over many decades, while we're sitting here in trouble with energy and environmental problems that vastly outweigh our needs in space.

Let's reduce the space program by 10 percent and put that into renewable energy research, available to US companies. Either that, or incorporate renewable energy research into the space program using their scientists, engineers and idea people, while hiring specialists in particular fields.

Let's put a real credit towards renewable energy sources, certified by the government, that pays for 50% of solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells and other systems for residential use, transportation, and energy production, and provide major credits for those who buy the products, and those who manufacture them. This would get us off fossil fuels much quicker, and we'd be exporting technology instead of importing oil. It's going to come with substantial costs, but it will make the biggest difference in the shortest amount of time.

Require all federally funded colleges and universities to have an energy department. Require all federal buildings to convert to renewable sources. Allow 401K's and pension funds to be used tax-free for energy improvements to homes. This will make everyone more independent (not only from oil producing companies, but during electric outages, supply shortages, storms and natural catastrophes), the environment safer, create more jobs, balance our trade deficit, and offset the economic imbalance in the world that's being artificially controlled through oil revenues.

Let's not go down the road to nuclear power plants whose waste not only has to be protected for more than 100,000 years when it will still be deadly (how can we possibly do that anyway), but nuclear power has shown to be more costly to produce. These plants also make great targets for terrorists and any enemies that may arise over the decades, and no one knows the affects that a widespread natural catastrophe such as a repeat of the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811 – 1812 would have. If anything, go for the development of nuclear fusion which doesn't have the waste problem or threat of meltdowns and other possible contamination causing events.

Let's make a bold move. Cut and run from fossil fuels and make use of the cleanest energy technologies we can develop efficiently.

Comment from mercury
August 14th, 2008 at 11:41 am

The MOST important actions on prevention of global warming are NOT being done:

1. Research into TIDAL POWER stations: America's Eastern and Western seaboards offer almost unlimited tidal power.
The only such station in the Western Hemisphere is in Nova Scotia and that province already produces 12% of its electric power from renewable sources.

2.Research into low cost electric cars and high speed rechargeable batteries. Tesla has already an excellent vehicle, but at too high a cost.

3.Prepare for recharge stations at service stations and consider an electric pickup through a groove in the main streets of cities. (Like the old trams).

4.Put an immediate ban on all new coal powered power stations, and phase out all of the old ones. Put an immediate ban on all mountain top blast mining for coal and on all industrial river pollution.

5.Put an immediate ban on any new nuclear power stations, and nuclear weapons. Start to research better ways of disposing of nuclear waste.

6.Start the construction of large wind farms and solar farms. (The latter are best located in the southern desert states).
Denmark has shown the feasibility of building wind farms over the sea with turbines supported by pylons driven into the seabed.

7. Careful construction of dams for hydro power using technology to prevent a harmful impact on wildlife and drinkable water supply.

8. Accelerating the date requiring increased mileage rules for gas powered vehicles.

9.Planting new forests and cutting back on lumber industry deforestation.

10.Aid to foreign nations in need to achieve the above goals.

To lower gas prices:

1. Cap the price allowed at the pump and gradually lower it.

2. Flood the market with oil from reserves.

3. Reduce inessential imports from China and other nations. This will reduce their need for oil for their industries and reduce their imports of oil, and thus lower oil demand and the price of oil.
Sincerely,

Ian Campbell Cree, MB(Hons.), MS, FRCS(Eng.& C.), FACS, LRCP.

Comment from Donatella Dainese
August 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am

Since 2004 I've shared a family car and I use it as few as possible, just for job, I'm a professional chemist.
I usually travel by train, by tube, by bus, by feet! and, above all, by bike; my life is really better, think! DD

Comment from clarkpark
August 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Vertical Access Wind Turbines (VAWT) are a big piece of the answer.

Standard commercial propeller turbines can generate as much as 3MW, but they’re between 200 and 400 feet tall and noisy at 85-95dB. VAWT are much smaller and quieter. A 5kW model is five feet tall, with a ten foot diameter and can be mounted on a roof or a twenty foot pole, and runs at 5dB. Birds also avoid VAWT since they appear as solid objects to them when rotating.

Widely dispersed small arrays of VAWT could generate power in your neighborhood for your neighborhood. Five VAWT mounted on one pole would only be about fifty-five feet tall, and so quiet you’d have to be within ten feet to hear them with no background noise.

Running at just 33% efficiency, they could provide electricity to ten average homes. An array of ten poles could power twenty-five homes, including all electric heat, all electric yard tools, and charging electric vehicles.

One of the biggest costs associated with moving America toward more electric power and away from combustion is the massive cost of upgrading our obsolete and fragile electric grid. But, we could avoid a great deal of that cost if electricity were generated very locally, and the inter-city transmission lines existed only to balance out supply and demand, not be the only source of supply.

Transmission lines are high voltage only because high voltage loses less power over long distances. There’s no need for transmission lines within your neighborhood to be high voltage, eliminating another environmental and health concern.

Most electrical power outages are caused by windstorms. Properly mounted VAWT are immune to gale force winds. Instead of blackouts, you get substantially increased generation. VAWT and all-electric households also mean no natural gas lines to dig holes in the streets to get at, and no explosions from old or badly installed appliances.

This technology already exists, but the quantity manufactured is very low. Refining that technology and drastically increasing production would create millions of jobs and a highly marketable export. We could quickly turn our trade deficit into a substantial surplus, render the oil despots impotent, and go a long way towards salvaging our environment.

Comment from Darci, Kailua, HI
August 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pm

It's all about supply and demand. Gas prices went up because more people began driving gas guzzling SUVs. When the people demand less, the prices will drop. If government continued President Jimmy Carter's requirement to have fuel efficient cars at just under 30 mpg, no doubt the cars today would have met the 60 mpg standard or even surpassed it. But we're WAY overdue when it comes to using alternative fuels as our main source of energy. The people must demand change and it all begins with the pocket book. Problem is the switch can be too expensive for most so although these people would love to get off of oil or at least use less, they are unable to financially. This is where government can help out by keeping more money in the people's pocket with tax incentives, cutting government usage/spending (Gov. Lingle just started a 4 day work week in Hawaii for some gov't employees), not spending tax dollars on poorly planned modes of transportation like the rail transit system that HI's mayor and others want and which the voter may not get a chance to vote on in Nov., staggering the start time for schools/companies/gov't so that driver's spend less time on the roads during rush hour, and educating the general population. In HI we have solar, wave, wind and geothermal, but the two (wave and geothermal) we either haven't put it to use yet or we're not using it to it's full potential. Hydrogen can power cars with dry pucks (not liquid hydrogen) with its biproduct being water. Maybe if people stop buying gas powered motor vehicles, then maybe we can force the automakers to produce more alternative fuel cars such as electric and hydrogen. And then again, maybe the gov't can help make this happen much sooner.

Comment from greenmachine
August 14th, 2008 at 3:06 pm

High gas prices is a real pain in the a** for some but a ginuine hardship for most. Conserving fuel is only one aspect of our real delimma; climate change. Burning hydrocarbons, even in the most efficient way, creats air pollution and lots of it. Yes – drive less and in such a way as to get higher MPG numbers, and take public transportation are great actions. But the better way to get cleaner air is to bike, walk, and for those folks with money, try electric or hydrogen. The question is not how to save at the pump alone, but how to save at the pump AND clean up our act as well, for all our sakes. I save money at the store by walking and thus, limiting just how much weight I'm willing and able to carry home. It's amazing how many sales I'm able to turn down in this way. Things I just could'nt live without in the past, I'm living without now and I have'nt suffered one bit. Home heating and home entertainment accessories is a whole other discussion.

Comment from barryworwood
August 14th, 2008 at 3:12 pm

Hi all,

battery powered cars – forklift trucks and golf carts can be converted to userable vehicles in a matter of weeks for all areas solar is not totally about the sun it is about light.

chalk and salT and bi-carb of soda help remove chemicals from the atmosphere and can be moulded into walls or statues etc.. clear your own area – imagine fresh air what a shock to your lungs!

rent a car by neighbourhoods … share the cost ….. a rolls royce to go to that special event or a mini for the shopping..!

planning is your main target in all environmental issue's as land is misused so is the sea – with out planning you have nothing – you control that you control them …..

copy shop's that waste or open 24 hours a day why? burns fuel and electricity = nox and so2 …. green areas and open planning …..come on think bigger and target areas AMERICA THAT EFFECT YOU AND YOU THEM!

DON'T BUY A TAKE AWAY FROM A 24 HOUR SHOP OR WITH BIG FLASHING LIGHTS JUST A WASTER… AND TELL THEM SO…
USE YOU POWER AS A CONSUMER …. BIG SUPERMARTS WILL FORCE EXXON OUT OF BUSINESS WITH IN 6 WEEKS IF YOU PUSH HARD ENOUGH? THEY ARE ON SHAKY GROUND AT THE MOMENT!

THEY MAY LOOSE THERE TRADE WORLD WIDE AS PEOPLE ARE GETTING READY FOR A WORLD PUSH BACK………..COME ON ……….

ONE DAY TO SHAKE THE WORLD !

BUT WE MUST ALL AGREE ! WORLD WIDE ! THE DATE !
EUROPES READY TO GO !

Comment from snowdenfalls
August 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Bike to work- I know this isn't ideal for all, but I started biking to work June 1, 2008, and don't regret it. I've trimmed down while really doing something for the environment. I think if everyone got out of their comfort zones a LITTLE bit, we could find many more solutions.

Comment from desertmac
August 14th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

HHO or Brown's gas, is hydrogen on demand, created by sending low frequency electrical pulse waves to stainless steel plates submerged in water (tap water) and the hydrogen gas created replaces gasoline to fuel your vehicle.

Several people/companies have multiple patents on this process and you must demonstrate conclusively that your process works to get a patent, so… why are groups such as Env Def Fund and Sierra Club et al not focusing on this extremely important breakthrough that promises virtually free energy that is zero polution producing?— the only by-product/emission is pure water.

I don't get it. This is FREE ENERGY, folks! I would think that all concerned groups around the world would be doing everything they can to get this process refined and implemented everywhere they can! Just google "HHO gas" or "water cars" and find out more about it.

Comment from mercury
August 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

Hydrogen cars are great for zero pollution but very dangerous in an accident and probably during refuelling.
Electric cars are far safer than hydrogen and safer than gas powered vehicles. They completely avoid the horror of being trapped in a burning car.

Wind has the disadvantage of not being consistent, as does solar power when clouds blanket the sky.

Tidal power is always present throughout the seasons, and electric trains can carry 100 times the weight of goods of trucks, even if they need 3 engines to do the work.

Comment from Northville
August 14th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

Institute 4-day work weeks and school-weeks by lengthening the days, which would decrease energy usage in places of business and gasoline usage, as well.

Instead of lowering the speed limit, strictly enforce it. Most expressways have an average speed well above 70 mph.

We need light rail and other forms of mass transportation, as well as walkable cities.

Shop your local farmers' market every week instead of buying produce and meats that are trucked or flown thousands of miles to our stores.

Comment from Darci, Kailua HI
August 14th, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Hydrogen is safe and is not dangerous when dry hydrogen is used as fuel in hydrogen cars. This system (a german couple, Stan and Iris, already made a hydrogen protoype car years ago that only emits water) and it is completely safe. It will not explode as some have been lead to believe (sometimes I wonder if this could be a marketing ploy by oil companies to keep hydrogen cars off the market) and the pucks can provide a buffer in car accidents. Check out Hydrogen Hopes Part 1 – A Hydrogen Sponge, the video can be viewed on Scientific American Frontiers hosted by Alan Alda: http://www.pbs.org/saf/1506/segments/1506-1.htm

Comment from Jane Kellogg
August 14th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

1) Don't farms, landfills and sewage treatment plants produce methane? Use it!
2) Manufacture less plastic, or make it from something other than petroleum.
3) Bicycle paths or lanes protected from motorized traffic. More people might use bicycles if they weren't concerned about being hit by cars (too many have been).
4) Electric or dual-fuel vehicles with propellers. Ever watch an antenna flag whipping down the road? As the car is driven, the propeller would spin and charge a battery (?).

Comment from Alex from MA
August 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

I'm developing a business where all the principals will live on the same property in green housing, completely off the grid. The business will own a few green cars that the workers will share. Everything we do will be to reduce our carbon footprints. The rest of our employees will either carpool (from a short distance) or telecommute. As publishers, we will also create books that will espouse responsible living. As a society, we must move toward local, local, local. Given our technology, there is no excuse for people to waste so much energy in long commutes, unnecessary business trips, etc. Try to banish as much plastic from your life as possible. It's not easy, but we have to do it. We must all refuse to succumb to the scare tactics employed by Big Oil and our wasteful, conglomerate-driven society. We must all vote responsibly, so we never live through a nightmare such as the faux Bush administration again.

Comment from desertmac
August 14th, 2008 at 8:11 pm

No, Mercury, the HHO on-demand system makes HHO specifically as needed and does not store any at all, so there is no pressure, no storage and no risk of explosion. The hydrogen cells you hear about, such as Honda's cell, store pressurized hydrogen, but this system makes hydrogen in proportion to the engine's needs as you drive and that's all.

I forgot to mention that the one company in Florida to hold several patents on this process is also now working with the US Military to implement this technology in Humvees and tanks– in a hybrid form to mix with their regular fuel (diesel, I assume).

So this process is reality and it potentially answers at least most of our energy needs. Tap water works and salt water is fine to use as well.

Comment from Matthew Stidham
August 14th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

I find wind and solar attractive, because once their efficiency is maxed, they are extremely attractive and cheap. Hydrogen and geothermal are also good.

Comment from mercury
August 14th, 2008 at 10:28 pm

Desertmac,

I am fascinated by this HHO on demand system which I had not heard of before.
Does the electric power for the hydrolytic process come from a battery? Presumably the amount of electric power needed to hydrolyse the water is far less than the energy generated by the combustion of the hydrogen produced, and the battery would be constantly recharged?
Do you have a reference for this system?

Comment from Andrew Bailis
August 15th, 2008 at 10:45 am

The world needs more oil due to old fashion goal of an automobile for each person. This is a no-winner. China is at a turning point – to move ahead and not repeat our mistakes.

China must discourage individual automobile ownership, instead promote for mass transportation, such as trains, moving sidewals, biking, etc. No massive building of cement highways or thousands of gasoline stations.

They can create a two-tier mass transport system just as the arlines did with first class and the rest of us.

Also, reward bicycle ridership, etc.

With the oil saved, China will free resources to green the world.

What is good for General Motors, is bad for teh USA and the world.

Comment from Louis Sam Brown
August 15th, 2008 at 11:28 am

After much thinking, the most important thing we cando as a nation is to end the political logjam and Compromise.

Conservative opponents get much mileage from pointing fingers at uncompromising extremist greens. And so nothing gets done.

Compromise to get climate control rolling. Go ahead and allow offshore and ANWR drilling; BUT require full Certified CO2 Offsetting for every Mole of CO2 released in installation, operation and sale of Oil. Similar compromise should sought for New Coal: Offset and/or Sequester or NoGo. For purposes of compromise, grandfather existing Coal and Oil from this requirement.

WRT Subsidies. Conservatives love to play up the amount of subsidies given to renewable energy. Then compromise by offering to end all subsidies and other market protections for renewable energies IF!!! all such subsidies are also ended for the fossil fuel industry.

Government leadership. Conservatives love to play up the possibility of Green Fascists taking over our private lives and playing the cruel green dictator. My get-things-done-compromise is for CO2 Offsetting/sequestering/reduction whatever to be *required* only for our governments, but not required for most everything else. This will effectively replace the missing subsidies for renewable energy and be much more cost effective than the usual government tinkering. This governmental leadership would be a big sea change signal for the rest of the economy, bring back the status of 'world Leader' to the US.

Another important local government function is to rewrite building laws to make it easier to build green. Too many of the existing ones get in the way.

Thanks.

Comment from barryworwood
August 15th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

compromise Yes!

if you off set make it worth while with in the USA west to east as to effect the weather or climate or reduce high chenges – hetchy hetcy, you need to look at space as buffers, to clean up city areas as a mass not put trees on avenues as they increase the problem!
offsetting out side the us is a waste of time unless it is south america as this effects your weather patterns.
buy land for forests, or the sea coast link with coast guide and block poor seas actions…
support coastal defence of natural areas. no building on minus water level lands.

build parks – flowers trees etc and next it houses then more trees or a forest area then houses….. look at the old land and follow natural boarders and not just bury them. small brookes and rivers or canals make a relation area for the family and saves the environment.

polystrene homes built into the ground are warm and safe, and design can change a landscape to rolling hills and valleys with streams – all the idealistic home that people crave, fuel bills, nil or very little to pay.
people lived this way for thousands of years in caves….

what the problem it is no mass company profits or imported goods – but high quality at affordable price's!

companie's block these plans so you pay more for your home!
buy the land cheap at block companie's refuse to sell. by the mineral rights and support american indian right to there land rights as they stop mineral being taken from the land…

ASK THEM TO PROVE THERE CASE FOR MINING OR DRILLING AS THERE IS NONE!
YOU CAN NOT FIND A LEGAL REASON TO MINE, IF YOUR HEALTH IS EFFECTED BY MAGNETIC FIELDS.. NATURALLY…

CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTORS
VOMITTING TO BRAIN TUMARS FROM DEPRESSION LINKED TO MAGNETICS FIELDS AND THAT IS A FACT! ( ENGLAND 1997 STUDY)

USA MILITARY STUDIES IN SPACE CONFIRM THIS…

IT WILL STOP THEM FOR GENERATIONS…

TAKE CARE
BARRY..
PS ANY MORE CLUES?

Comment from Gene Johnson
August 15th, 2008 at 4:32 pm

New Urbanism + Al Gore

Comment from Russell Barton
August 15th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

Yes Alt energy is the solution & yes the technology is here. The infrastructure to deploy it across the nation in an instant is not. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil now. I propose:
1. Start drilling now to stop & reduce speculation increases in price.
2. Convert oil & coal to Nuclear to reduce CO2 emissions & oil consumption. Nuclear is very safe & economical technologies exist to recycle the waste material.
3. Work out ways to et the new solar cell technology onto homes faster.
4. Keep building wind farms & other technologies. Also speed this up.
5. Give tax incentives to companies developing and/or using green technology.
6. Give tax incentives to individuals using green technology.
7. Label all produce of its origin so you can buy local produce.
8. Use political pressure on the middle east that we are spending money defending to lower oil prices.

Comment from Susan
August 15th, 2008 at 6:33 pm

We are sailors and have been in lots of marinas. Marinas should install lots of solar capture devises and wind generators. Coastal marinas should install wave and tide power generation systems.

Comment from Charles
August 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm

I'm sure it's been said all before, but I really think we should push for a cleaner source of energy.

I saw a video that Honda made a new car called the Clarity. It runs on water and emits water vapor. I believe it's been released in Southern California only for now. I'd love to support them so we could get them in all 50 states along with other countries and even get other companies to use them.

Thanks.

Comment from kgregb
August 16th, 2008 at 1:22 am

Stop burning oil entirely, use it for the plastic and lubrication it has in it rather than releasing the poisons it has or becomes on burning.

Here's an idea from the past that came in a much smaller form, wind up cars! A large spring wound with a lever or other device from inside tied into a computer operated CVT transmission. Small, inexpensive, very light weight city cars designed for short commutes and light travel. With the ability to rewind your ride from inside and having some inertial recovery system to recapture energy while slowing each windup could be extended some amount saving further wear and tear. Exercise and low cost use with next to no oil used just panels, components and lubricants.

Comment from Lisa Klingenberg
August 16th, 2008 at 7:31 am

Drive less and walk or bike more. INFLATE YOUR TIRES! Switch to a hybrid. Use public transportation. Expand public transportation. Convert your car to a green machine that runs on vegetable oil. Convert all cars to run on alternative energy sources and stop manufacturing oil/gas powered vehicles.

Comment from Louis
August 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am

Use energy in a more sustainable way, on every level. The great majority of the energy we receive on the earth comes from the Sun; therefore, if we use more than what it can give us, we are basically depleting an accumulation of energy and are setting ourselves for inevitable energy crisis at a later time when the accumulated source becomes empty.

Live more with the elements and try not to become unable to be "naked" with the surrounding world because then energy becomes a requirement rather than a luxury and we become dependent on it.

Science fiction: find a way to cheaply beam back solar energy that we could capture in space.

Comment from Annapoorne Colangelo
August 16th, 2008 at 11:18 am

I live on an Island, so spend a good deal of time at the beach. It amazes me that people still insist on using motor boats and other forms of gas empowered water vehicles for recreation. This, to me, is creating noise pollution, water pollution, air pollution, in addition to the totally wasteful use of an already depleting resource.

Comment from David Spaans
August 16th, 2008 at 11:36 am

We are stuck with suburban sprawl for at least a generation. In order to help get commuters out of their cars, I recommend that we significantly expand park-and-ride bus networks. This will reduce the congestion on our commuter highways, decrease fuel consumption (although buses can be made much less polluting). Few improvements would have to be made to highways although dedicated lanes would make this alternative more attractive. Expanded government assistance to build parking structures and assist bus companies would facilitate this.

Comment from Loren Amelang
August 16th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

A few random thoughts, from someone who has lived "off-the-grid" for 28 years now.

1. Solar panels, both PV and thermal, need to be designed around common building material sizes. In the US, probably multiples of a foot or 16 inches, favoring 4 x 8 feet. I currently want to upgrade both my PV and thermal installations, but it is proving impossible to fit the panels I can buy today into the spaces that were designed 24 years ago.

Supposedly one company is changing the size of their PV panels "any day now" to a size that will happen to be perfect for me, but neither dealers nor the vendor seem to be able to tell me where or when I can buy some. None of the evacuated tube thermal collectors fit well into spaces built for flat plate collectors.

Imagine if every vendor of plywood sheets chose their own dimensions, and sold their products only through a few competing specialized dealers. Without the 4×8' standard and the local lumber yard, we'd never get houses built!

2. Internet access should get better and faster as one gets father from cities, so people who live remotely can more easily avoid driving the longer distances. This is entirely contrary to the natural incentives for internet providers, so it would require regulation or subsidies or direct public sector construction.

In my situation, the incumbent wireline phone company owns the only fiber within thirty rugged miles. If one tries to buy bandwidth, they play their "regulated monopoly" card and quote extravagant tariffs from years past. If one tries to get them to provide the "equal access" a regulated monopoly should be responsible for, they play their "private company" card and insist that would be uneconomical. At the very least, the government should stop letting them have it both ways at their whim.

3. Our current fuel efficiency standards are disgraceful. My 1981 VW pickup still gets 37 mpg going up and down remote mountain roads, and up to 50 on the highway. One would think a bit of improvement could have been made in the subsequent 27 years…

Loren

Comment from Loren Amelang
August 16th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Just noticed this comment:

"Science fiction: find a way to cheaply beam back solar energy that we could capture in space."

That is not fiction, it has been seriously proposed and analyzed by respectable scientists, and I believe it could work.

See "Solar Power via the Moon" by David R. Criswell:

(in case this blocks links…)
http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-8/iss-2/p12.pdf

Or search for Criswell and Lunar Solar Power. The letters and comments that ran in "The Industrial Physicist" for months after the article appeared were fascinating.

Loren

Comment from m. power giacoletti
August 16th, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Bicycle or take public transportation, but do not fly.
Nor should one burn wood – in any manner. Read Wendell
Berry's article, "Faustian Economics" in the May 2008
Harper's to understand the "delusion of more."

m. power giacoletti

Comment from Lynn Chiapella
August 16th, 2008 at 9:04 pm

How about adopting strategies that the rest of the world uses where there is much less energy available or much less usage per person.

1)Consumers should have a choice to turn off "sleeper" function on appliances and gadgets that continuously consume energy even when "off".
2)Short rotating blackout periods during peak demand.
3)Energy pricing based on peak demand including residential.

Comment from wehojoe
August 16th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Changing entrenched habits is difficult. Even people who think of themselves as environmentally aware do not automatically turn lights out or bring a reusable coffee mug to work. There needs to be a way to make an emotional connection between these simple acts and the benefit that would result if enough people did them. Much of the problem has to do with human motivation rather than technology.

Pingback from Top 20 energy solutions from you | money news blog
August 17th, 2008 at 12:18 am

[...] network asking how people were coping with high oil prices. The response on our sister blog, the Green Room, was enthusiastic — over 600 [...]

Comment from Jupiterssun
August 17th, 2008 at 2:13 am

Intrenched habits is that anything like a drug addict. But i do agree bad habits are hard to break,I think it goes deeper. Were not gonna dig are selfs out maybe we can teach are kids, but then that is not gonna happen because we are there future there role models I'm mean look they still sell cigarretes and as long as they do we will be teaching are young to smoke.

Comment from Paul Flynn
August 17th, 2008 at 6:17 am

Check out Transition Towns and Cities. PLEASE GOOGLE

Comment from Kerry
August 17th, 2008 at 10:32 am

i think we should have biofuel and bikes and make it alegal
to use regular gas

Comment from David Coyte
August 17th, 2008 at 12:12 pm

I would like to shift the focus of this discussion a bit. We are ignoring the elephant in the corner if we focus on the personal costs of cars and fuel and ignore the public costs of highway infrastructure. Cars and trucks are the least efficient ways of moving people and goods respectively. But the cost of maintaining our highway system is a far greater problem, more than 50 times greater than a equal capacity rail system. Highways are the most expensive infrastructure to maintain, primarily due to the damage done by trucking. According to the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, AASHTO, a very pro-highway group, each truck does the damage of over 20,000 automobiles. In another AASHTo report, The Freight Rail Bottom Line,(2004, before fuel price increases) public investment in private rail roads is recommended to remove as much freight from the highways as possible. This would reduce highway maintenance costs and congestion, significantly reduce fuel consumption, and provide the capacity to restore quality passenger rail service to our country. AASHTO points out significant savings to the nation and individuals with this shift in infrastructure investment. And it would be the single greatest move we could make to reduce energy consumption and support greater mobility for both people and goods.

Comment from wilbur
August 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

We need to STOP (reducing takes too long) putting CO2 in the atmosphere. Even a moron should be able to understand that excessive CO2, as a greenhouse gas, warms the planet. It is warming-witness the melting glaciers, melting faster than the computer climate models are predicting.

There are all kinds of fixes for our excessive use of oil from fossil fuels. The basic problem is that there are too many human beings on planet earth. Add to this the fact that this population is still increasing. Recent history has shown that a fix only lasts so long-until the increase in population cancels out its gain.

The only long term fix is to limit the human population. This seems to be a taboo subject since hardly anyone is talking about it.

Controlling human population has two parts. 1. reducing the present population to what the earth can sustain indefinitely and 2. keeping it at that level. There is a way to do this without wholesale murder of human beings. It can be done in about 4 generations.

I believe that the sustainable population is about 1 billion humans. The problem began with the industrial revolution when factories began spewing out huge amounts of CO2.

We can reduce the population by widespread use of contraceptives to decrease the birth rate. If we limit the births of children to one child for every 3 mothers (age 15-40) we set the stage for a 5-fold decrease in population. This is the first generation. For the next generation limit the births to one child for every woman. After that generation we can go to the replacement rate of 2.1 children for every woman. In about 4 generations our new population will be stable at about 1 billion.

This process obviously has a problem of implementation. It also has a great effect on our economic system. A further problem is exemplified by the experience of China in limiting each family (woman) to one child. These children grow up to have emotional and other personality problems. So reducing the population creates a series of problems. Hopefully, these can be mitigated.

The alternative is to face food shortages, a hot climate, riots of various kinds, and others. Do you want to have planet earth look like Easter Island? If two people want the last morsel of food, who will get it? It appears to me to be a violent and horrible disaster in the making.

How do we convince our politicians, and the general public that this scenario is in the interest of humankind? We cannot do it if we fail to enter into a discussion.

Comment from Jupiterssun
August 17th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Are fuel efficiency is a disgrace, we have gone from bad to worse. ? wtf.O and don't worrie about human population control The planet has done it a couple times before, and it is coming again. If we don't push the button first Never did have faith in the human race and still don't.

Comment from Jeff Maynard
August 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

Below is a link to my list from 2007 blog action day, including (somewhat regurgitated) tips we can all use daily. But the real key is to invest in R&D for a sustainable energy future… which requires cooperation between the public/private sectors.

http://www.greeblemonkey.com/2007/10/top-ten-ways-to-save-human-race.html

Comment from Eldon Wedlock
August 17th, 2008 at 10:52 pm

I've started driving the speed limit expecting to be passed by everyone. But I'm not! More people are doing this – and it is working. I'm also keeping an eye on my actual MPG more than my speed and planning errands to minimize driving. I'm also taken up my neglechted bicycle – and losing weight as a side effect.

Comment from Sharon
August 17th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Build more shelters at bus stops to make getting to work on the bus almost sustainable.

Comment from TokyoTom
August 18th, 2008 at 6:47 am

The answer is pretty simple: take advantage of this opportunity to swap and agreement to allow drilling in ANWR and OCS for

(1) a direct pass-through to citizens of royalities (to minimize govt waste and create incentives for good oversight) and

(2) a REBATED CARBON TAX that would also keep revenues out of the hands of Washington politicians, thus sparing us from more political battles over who gets to give the money to their friends.

Starting a royalty pass-through program would generate more citizen interest in ending the continuing sweet deals (taxpayer boondoggles) for timber, grazing and O/G and hard rock mining leases elsewhere.

Environmental groups could bargain for a role in providing environmmental oversight of lessees.

More here:
http://mises.org/Community/blogs/tokyotom/archive/2008/07/16/breaking-the-senseless-impasse-on-anwr-and-ocs-exploration-and-development-a-tax-and-rebate-proposal.aspx

Comment from Lauren
August 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am

I don't think there is any one answer to the problem. It's going to take EVERYONE's participation, and it's going to take a lot of different ideas (which is why this is great!). One way to save on tons of CO2 emmissions is re-localization, which it bringing things we need, primarily food, back into our own communities and backyards so supplies don't have to travel so far. Imagine how much fuel and pollution this could eliminate! We would be more self sufficient as a country, and as individuals. Even if you don't have a yard, you can grow food in containers on a deck or inside your home. There are tons of how-to sites right here on the wonderful world wide web! Then at least you won't have to spend so much money on some of your produce. (Also, as a tangent, greening in general by growing plants in your living space helps reduce CO2; every little bit helps!)

Anyway, my other idea is to put windmills on top of tall buildings. This is already happening to some extent, but I think it should be a lot more. The buildings are already there, so who can complain about an eyesore? Also, it would save on CO2 and money because the post part of the windmill wouldn't need to be constructed, shipped, or assembled. Convientely, they would end up in cities and could be hooked into the grid to help save on power for the whole place!

Comment from Christian Fine
August 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

One strategy for decreasing our impact on the planet would be to stop making any new automoblies (cars, light trucks, SUVs, etc.) and create the incentives to convert all existing vehicles to electric. This could be done below the radar of automobile companies, oil companies, etc. and take the form of a grassroots movement without looking to the federal government for any assistance. Perhaps a discount voucher or a tax break from state governments could be created, but the less big business and government know about this movement, the better. We need to create a national network of independent auto mechanics who are interested in doing this work and are willing to promote it to their customers. This would help create the economies of scale to decrease the cost of lithium batteries.

Comment from barryworwood
August 18th, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Hi all,

simple thing is you are all doing brilliantly, but lets see a little of the ideas like tyre's so why tyres simple you think of what is standard and are fixed on the one way of doing things.
here is another idea – gas inflte parts of cars to raise the car up and reduce the impact load on roads reducing the fuel consumption, this was done in the 70's but refused to be allowed to go into production as it would mean cars would last an average of twenty to thirty years.
the truth is less fuel used and less profits.

do it yourself! become the new ford car designer of tomorrow?
who said you need car companies?
you are your own future so step forward and be counted as we need you now!

I solve problems for people and companies, I see by everyones words you can do the same and more so let's get on and as always redesign the world – our future our way!

cars / motor bikes = 100 years =really only took a couple of years the rest was on redesigning again and again!

forget fuel = think = basic = how do I get from a to b ?

I am really enjoying reading everyones words on this it is great?
solar sails,steam, balloons, to the hoover (suck and blow) have a part to play in the future as we make every thing lighter to use and create lighter but greater re/inforced products, reducing the weight does not mean safety.

take care
barry worwood

Comment from Melanie
August 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

Governments at all levels need to make better public transportation. The city I live in only has city transportation running in some poor areas of town and they only go to heavily used public areas. They seem to think those that can afford their own car will not take a bus. That way of thinking needs to be changed. The city does not even offer bike paths like some larger ones do.

Also emission restrictions and enforcement need to be stricter. Just because a town is not covered in smog does not mean it isn't poluted. I see cars and trucks all the time that have smoke of all colors streaming out of their tailpipes driving right by police and they just look the other way. There is nothing worse than being at a stop light behind a car that has exhaust fuming out and you can smell it with the windows up.

The best thing for our nation to do is for those that can afford it to invest in a company that is willing to build all eletric vehicles that everyone will want to drive. Not everyone can afford to drive a vehicle that only goes 35 mph. Many people commute more than an hour away from where they live. The electric vehicles that have been rumored to go faster have a pricetag that resembles the cars most people can not afford like BMW and Lexus. The key is that more need to be made to offset the laws of supply and demand and the only way that can be done is if the company who makes these vehicles have the money to make them.

I propose the government comes up with a trade program that will allow the public to trade in their current gas vehicles for electric ones. Similar to the program that is being used for digital televisions. The government can set aside funds each year to do this just like they did for the stimulus bill this year. The money they gave away this year could have helped get thousand of gas vehicles off the road. They can either go by social security numbers or they can have a lottery allowing only two vehicles per household. This could help other problems as well such as finding people with warrants and finding illigle aliens. Stipulations could be put on it such as those with multiple DUIs or repeat offenders could be barred. In turn this could force the local governments to make more public transportation.

Also so the oil companies will not go out of business and the bottom won't drop out of wall street, allow commercial trucks to be the only vehicles allowed to use diesel or gas.

Taking all public gas vehicles off the road will definately lower carbon production and not only help us be less oil dependant but also be better for the environment.

The most important thing is for everyone to get involved. Write letters to government officials, auto companies, oil companies, and anyone else that can help with your ideas. Keep writing as much as you can as many time as you can. The only way to change is to let it be known that we are ready for a change.

Comment from Madeline
August 18th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

I think that the best idea is using solar power for your car. Charge it up in the sun while you are not using it and then it will be ready for you when you do. It saves thousands of dollars spent on gas, not to mention it keeps the air fresh and clean for you and the generations to come. Everyone should know this and people have got to work to make sure these messages are sent loud and clear! A welcome surprise is the fact that we can generate 500% of the energy we use from fossil fuels with alternative resources. Don't be afraid to make your voice heard!! Global warming is destroying countless animals. Eventually, this could mean extinction. We can't let the earth get to this point. Its the only place we can live. Where else can we go? Cars aren't the only problem. Factories, trash, and numorous other issues threaten us each day. Use your knowledge to spread the word. TAKE ACTION! Don't wait for somebody else to do it because no one will. It's all up to you. Wind power, recyling EVERYTHING, not buying it unless you need it, common sense, resourcefulness, and determination will get the job done. The most important job that we have. The job that will save the earth. The job that will save you and everyone and everything around you.

Comment from Craft
August 19th, 2008 at 1:34 am

It would be great if there was a site where you could put in a from address, to address, and time and it then searched for others that may also be traveling to similar addresses at a similar time.

Comment from Tamberlaine Harris
August 19th, 2008 at 9:20 am

We have to wean ourselves off our addiction to the automobile. This starts with thinking locally, supporting local businesses and buying things locally made. It means biking and walking whenever possible. It means getting local government behind zoning changes to encourage pedestrian friendly construction and pedestrian friendly commerce, it is not all about another big box mall. The benefits of such a shift are enormous and go well beyond simply saving oil and it will save a LOT of oil. Local agriculture save oil and buying local saves global transport of everything you use. waling or biking to get what you need makes you healthier and saves you oil and will save you money on all hte impulse stuff you won't buy because you will have to carry it. We have to rethink our whole car culture!

Comment from Sheri H.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:03 am

1. The gov't should strongly encourage all comapanies to make all administrative (including mangers) positions telecommute.
2. Pass laws making the work week 4 days vs. 5
3. Increase public transportation and make it accessible to people that live outside the city
4. Ban plastic bags and other similar products that use oil
5. New regulations on the cosmetic industry & other industries to prevent or greatly decrease the use of oil
6. High fines for automotive manufacturers that continue to produce low MPG vehicles
7. More research into new types of vehicles- ones that run on water
8. Invest in solar & wind energy, hydroelectric energy
9. Ask people to only drive on designated days
10. Buy local produce/products- encourage grocery stores to stop importing food from other regions
11. Practice black out days or hours when no electricity is used in your home.

Comment from Kathy
August 20th, 2008 at 2:23 am

Nothing cheaper than quartz.
Combine the use of quartz with solar energy and it will not only have a greater ability to trap light and reuse it but it's so cheap. I know, the idea that this is so logical and cheap will keep any of them from doing it:(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W6H-4KCPVNX-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=ebaba44c7603d2fe44e442ac40e5b2b9

Comment from Adam
August 20th, 2008 at 10:41 am

I believe that employers should give incentives to car pool, use public transport, and bike/walk. I also feel that people driving vehicles that do not get good gas mileage should have to pay more when they relicense there vehicle. The money from that could go to clean energy programs, education, research, and much more. The government should try and give out more incentives for us to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles. I believe one of the best ways to get people on board with trying to cut greenhouse emissions is to reward them.

Comment from jsinclair
August 20th, 2008 at 10:57 am

First things first. We should focus on enforcing the things that are already available, like solar power for homes. We should make it affordable by having the government reimburse us when we do our taxes, even if it is spread over 4 or 5 years. There should be a new “law” in place that businesses should have to run off of a certain percentage of solar instead of being able to write off electricity as an expense. Then we should focus on all the cars & transportation. Why not make what we have available work before going crazy with inventing new. This way we see an immediate improvement. We should also strive for a certain percentage decrease on oil each year. If we have a goal then it gives us more reason to reach it!

Comment from Cat Moves
August 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pm

Reduce highway speed limit to 55 for cars, 50 for trucks over 2 tons. And then, enforce it, enforce it, enforce, ENFORCE IT!

Comment from Chris Bellizzi
August 20th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

I belive a comprehensive energy/greenhouse emission reduction plan is way over due.I believe what many of you believe but I live it I have Solar Photovoltaic system for power and use 98% high efficiency natural gas boiler coupled with hydronic radiant to heat my house with average monthly bill of $50 for all natural gas usage on 4000sqft house.That is the home energy solution.Transportation is more difficult.I believe the greatest potential right now to reduce greenhouse gas emmisions and still maintain "NO LOSS IN LIFESTYLE" for a current technology is 100% renewable commrecially made Bio-Diesel converted from 80%reused oil-20% virgin oil.My Tree service runns locally produced 100% Bio-Diesel in my Brush chippers,Bobcat Skid-Steer Tractor and my 1999 Turbo Injected Diesel VW New Beetle rated at 39mpgCity and 49mpg Highway.Many Americans can not use mass transit due to fact our jobs takes us to many different locations throught many cities(such as my Tree Service requires me.It becomes impractical.So the complete energy/reduction in greenhouse gas emmisions will come from many different angles such as Solar Photovoltaic charged PHEV's(PLug Hybrid Electric Vehicle)and EV's(Electric Vehicles),Locally produced Bio-Diesel,Ethanol ONLY IN MIDWEST WHERE PREVALANT and finally Natural Gas vehciles for clean air vehicles.

Comment from Bill Schoene
August 20th, 2008 at 6:39 pm

Work from home! This isn't new, and it's not my idea, but
it works. I have been working from home 4 days a week for the last 33 months. I am more productive and there is less
stress in my life.

Enlightened companies have been allowing it — even pushing it — for some time now. It works for them, for
their employees, for their communities, for public health,
and for the environment, especially for reducing global climate change.

Pingback from Environmental Defense Fund: 20 Energy Solutions - From You : Sustainablog
August 21st, 2008 at 1:40 pm

[...] Ann: I've been driving 60 mph on the highway and have seen a dramatic improvement in my gas [...]

Pingback from Eco-Cide: Exploring Ecology
August 21st, 2008 at 2:47 pm

[...] network asking how people were coping with high oil prices. The response on our sister blog, the Green Room, was enthusiastic — over 600 comments! Here are some of our favorites, organized by [...]

Comment from Joe
August 21st, 2008 at 8:59 pm

VASTLY improving public transportation is certainly a very important part of improving energy use patterns. In my opinion, greatly expanding the number and scope of urban rail systems is key: buses are good but are too vulnerable to traffic and delays which lead to schedule irregularities. However, it will take a long time for a large fraction of people to change their habits away from driving. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to develop personal vehicles that accomplish 80+ mpg (e.g., plug-in hybrids) and that are accessible to the average person in terms of price. (Btw, I suggest moving the comment box to the top of this page.)

Comment from Ryan
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:52 am

HOV
Too many times when I'm in a car, all I see are cars carrying single riders, and those are the passengers. Then, you look and see only one lane for HOV- people with at least two people. Why not make the HOV lanes, extended. On six lane highways, rather than one HOV lane, have Five, with two of those being for cars with at least three people, and one for those with at least six people. Sure, the single car lane may get backed up, but people would have to adapt.

Comment from innojo
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm

What a wonderful set of comments! Personally, I don't see enough of the idea that the answer to high oil prices is probably higher oil prices. We in the USA have so subsidized Big Oil, highways, cars, thoughtless globalization, cheap and fast food that we have a lot of trouble sorting out what's a real price and what's not. The fact is that we are beyond peak oil and it should be priced (and taxed!)outta sight. Most of the rest of the developed world saw this coming a long time ago. They kept their efficient rail transportation systems and ration imported fuel with high prices, higher and more restrictive driving ages and a modicum of regulation in a lot of industries and workplaces.

Comment from libran
August 25th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

I am late getting to this – to your statement that "There are no quick fixes to this dilemma. We need creative and innovative solutions for both short- and long-term action."

Here's a quick fix. Contact YOUR representative in Congress, and both of your Senators, and tell them to pass a moratorium on the federal gas tax, and a moratorium on earmarks. The money saved from the latter can go into the National Highway Fund. Congress members are running for re-election and they need YOUR vote. Tell them how they can get it!!!

Comment from Michael fr Texas
August 26th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I called my congress person today and encourage you to do the same. I told them if BIG OIL wants to open up more drilling off shore or in the Alaska Wildlife Refuge then they have to give back all the millions of acres in drilling rights they already have and are not using. This is stupid to keep feeding them more when they are already fat. They are not going to drill there until they can make a mint then they will own all the rights and really make us pay. They don't have the refineries to handle more oil and are not building more so how would they refine it even if they drill it? They won't they are sand-bagging our mineral rights plain and simple.

Comment from Sharon Handy
August 27th, 2008 at 7:26 am

The global energy crisis and our growing awareness of the costs of fossil fuel dependency have spurred research and development into new energy systems, many of which pin their hopes on hydrogen as the fuel of the future. However, the billions of public and private dollars being poured into hydrogen research have so far failed to solve the three major problems associated with hydrogen as an alternative energy source:

–Current designs for hydrogen vehicles have extremely limited driving ranges or, to solve that issue, require hydrogen storage tanks that are theoretically larger than the vehicles themselves.

–The use and storage of liquid hydrogen is extremely dangerous and will likely never be a widespread method that leads to a hydrogen solution.

–There is neither infrastructure available for hydrogen refueling, nor will there be in the near future given the untold billions that it will cost.

Advanced Hydrogen Power Systems, Inc., was recently formed in Florida to support the development of a revolutionary, small-scale hydrogen power system that solves these three problems by eliminating the need for hydrogen storage and refueling altogether. The patent application for this invention was made on March 26, 2007 (Patent Application #11,691,226), and will be made public by the US Patent Office in October 2008. We have also applied for several international patents.

The Hydrogen Mobile Power Plant is a non-theoretical, engineering-based solution in which hydrogen is created in real time, on-demand, from everyday water that is split using a revolutionary new ceramic developed at Argonne National Laboratory. The resulting hydrogen and oxygen feeds a fuel cell and is recombined back into water in a wholly unique "cascade and recirculation" system. This hybrid system requires a minimal amount of gasoline fuel to create the heat required for the reaction, resulting in an efficiency that raises the working m.p.g. of a gallon of gas from an average of 30 miles per gallon to 400 miles per gallon or more. This invention solves the "range" issues that plague many of new car designs while eliminating the need for any new infrastructures. And, its small size gives it the flexibility to be used in both mobile (car, boat) and stationary (home, business) applications.

Perhaps the most exciting part of this invention is that it uses technologies that are already available. We can produce this invention and develop it into a system that the public can use not in 20 or 30 years, but within two to five years in response to the ever-growing energy crisis. This hybrid of hydrogen and gasoline can provide an effective bridge to an alternative energy future, allowing precious petroleum resources to be used in an efficient and far more environmentally friendly way.

More information is available at our website, http://www.advancedhydrogenpowersystems.com.

Comment from Charles Eisenberg
August 29th, 2008 at 9:49 pm

If you live in a big city, you should not need to own a car. I've been to Los Angeles, and the sprawl and time spent driving around is incredible. I've been to Jakarta, and it seems that the major streets exist in a constant state of dense traffic jam. Modern cities need clean, well-maintained, easily affordable (subsudized?), energy efficient, reliable public transportation systems that can effectively get people all around the city without having to drive or walk excessively. If you live in the country, driving may be a necessity, but it shouldn't be in major population centers. Suburban sprawl is rampant as well, requiring suburban dwellers to drive farther and more to get around across the US and elsewhere. Legislation limiting expansive development and strongly encouraging denser grouping of residences and businesses (that is, more effective and far-sighted city planning) would be helpful, as would strong investment in local green bus webs, which if these are affordable and pleasant to use, could help eliminate the odious suburban drive-everywhere culture that has become so widespread.

Comment from libran
August 30th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Do you know what the federal tax on gas is? How about 28 cents a gallon? How about a moratorium on it? How would that affect the price at the pump? Let Congress hear from you.

Go here for good information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yztOgaxS_7Q&feature=related

You should know who Boone Pickens is by now. He says natural gas is cleaner and hotter burning, and cheaper and US has lots of it. Ford and GM have already manufactured 8 million vehicles that use it, that were sold to foreigners. There are some in U.S., busses in Colorado. You can 'fill' your car at home overnight. He does, at less than $2 a gallong. View the above videos Parts 1 – 5. I'd like hear what others think.

Comment from Mary Catherine Platt
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm

To reduce our use of plastics, my family:
- Brings reusable bags to grocery stores and on other errands
- Stores food in glass pyrex containers, rather than using plastic bags or plastic wrap
- Buys biodegradable corn-based garbage bags
- Never uses plastic flatware

To save gas:
- We combine errands, visiting stores that are close to each other in a single trip
- My husband bikes to work or takes the bus
- We live close to work, shopping, food and downtown.

We also do not use any petroleum-based cleaning supplies. We make our own or use Seventh Generation.

We also have a backyard garden and shop at Farmers Markets all summer. This year, we're learning how to can and freeze our veggies and fruits for the winter, so we can continually to eat locally during the colder months.

We also buy only organic food, which helps reduce the use of petroleum pesticides.

Comment from kimyn
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Cellulosic ethanol: The first plastic was made from cellulose, it produces 91% less greenhouse gas emissions, it can be made from agricultural (leaves, husks, stalks) and municipal (paper products and household garbage) waste. It's greener and cleaner.

Comment from libran
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Kimyn – is there enough cellulose to produce enough gas as needed? Farmers do use "leaves, husks, stalks" now. It's called sillage and what goes into those big silos for the animals in winter. There are so many great ideas above, I haven't read all of them. I hope Environmental Defense is tallying them, and we (the public) can see the list.

David Coyte has a good comment regarding trucking damage to highways and removing the freight to the railroads, where it once was before politicians stuck in there fingers. It seems that many commenters don't remember when we had railroads for freight and passengers; streetcars, trackless trolleys and busses for city travel. Then the auto industry and the oil companies worked together to get all of that removed in favor of trucks and automobiles!!! That happened in 46 – 50's. I lived in Milwaukee, WI. All my travel was on public transportation. That was a city of over 700,000 people then. We've come too far from that with so many suburbs, and no public transportation. I am old and can't carry enough groceries in one bag to walk. So I drive. But my generation grew up with the adage, 'use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.' So most of us save everything – gas, electricity, heat, etc. Drive an efficient speed, keep those tires inflated, get a regular car checkup, consolidate all auto trips, turn off lights when not needed, keep the thermometer low, close the doors to keep in heat or keep it out, if one has AC. Do the supermarkets HAVE to have wide open entrances while trying to keep the refrigeration section cold?? Driving less than 60mph really saves gas! So many sensible ideas. But even if we would all have cars that run on, say natural gas, we would not reduce the numbers of cars, but probably increase them. How does that reduce traffic jams? Ah! Reduce the population! If we don't voluntarily, we may become a nation like China, and our citizens will be REQUIRED to limit family size. Which is better?

Comment from astroknott
September 6th, 2008 at 11:43 pm

Here is a thought. DRILL MORE OIL! Simple. Or build lots of nuclear power plants and use the power to extract hydrogen from seawater and use it to power our cars. I know this is considered "radical" but sheesh! its simple and will easily fix the problem. Lets get REAL.

Comment from Elizabeth Hill
September 8th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

First, I think this is a really good idea, to get people sharing more ideas on how to solve some complicated problems. I think we need action on all different fronts. I do want to reply to the astroknott comment above, too, by saying it is definitely NOT just a simple solution to drill more oil; oil is a fossil fuel which is not renewable and WILL run out eventually. And, nuclear power is likewise no simple solution; there are many other problems created by nuclear power plants, namely nuclear waste.
The main idea I wanted to share, though, is driving on used vegetable oil. My husband has been doing it for a few years now (and helping others to convert their cars, as well), and it seems like a good part of the solution to me. I recognize that there is not enough used oil to run all vehicles, by any means, but I think we might as well be using the resource produced by restaurants and schools and anywhere that fries food. You can only use it in diesel vehicles, but there are plenty of those out there. And, wouldn't you much rather be behind a big semi truck smelling vegetable oil than diesel fumes? Plus, it's a free resource (most places, anyway), and it's a way to reuse. It's a biofuel that doesn't take away from our food crops, it is used for food already.
One other thing I want to say, which reiterates many other people's comments above, is that the main key is reducing, reducing, reducing! Use less oil and other fossil fuels. period.

Comment from astroknott
September 8th, 2008 at 7:12 pm

OK you got me. You are right, nuclear power wouldn't exactly be simple. I shouldn't have used that word, I was trying to make a point. While, not simple, it is doable. There is no new technology needed. As far as the waste goes the French have been "recycling"? don't know if thats the right word to use but in any case they have a technology that allows them to re-use spent fuel again. I am sure there is still some waste but much less. Also I still hold out hope that fusion power will become practical before too long. Time will tell.

I am not a big fan of bio-fuels, at least not as they are being developed now. You don't turn one of your most important food crops into fuel. Namely corn. It has risen the price of virtually everything in the grocery store. It would make much more sense to bail the grass along the side of the highways and turn that into methanol. They are going to be mowing it anyway so why not bail it. Using corn is nothing but a subsidy to corn farmers. It is all politics and no practicality. Vegetable oil is not a practical alternative for the general public. Nothing against using it, in fact I think it should be used. But it can't make a huge impact on our national fuel use. I doubt that there is enough land in the country to make enough bio-fuels to actually meet this countries needs. Hence the ONLY viable option, at least for the time being is to drill. T. Boone Pickens has a fairly good plan that could get us by for a long time while alternatives are being developed.

We have to be practical. Drilling, while simultaneously developing alternatives is the only reasonable thing to do. Many politicians, however, seem to want to play politics by making the oil companies out to be the EVIL villain. Even though we pay about 18 cents per gallon to Washington while the oil companies make about 8 cents. So who is the real bad guy. Everyone seems to be perfectly willing to hate the oil companies when Washington is chiefly responsible for the mess we are currently in.

Comment from vryslly
September 11th, 2008 at 10:22 am

I've seen news articles and video about an automobile engine that has runs on water. The inventor is reportedly negotiating a deal with the US military. If an engine like this is truly possible then why can't it be made available to the public? A car that runs on water would be a great way to break our dependence on foreign oil. It would also provide clean transportation based on a renewable resource. Additionally, if ocean levels really do rise from melting ice caps we could develop a desalinization process that could provide fuel for these vehicles and keep the ocean levels in check.

It's just a thought, but I can tell you that if I were at all mechanically inclined I'd be working this myself!!!

Comment from wjdewey
September 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm

When somebody finds a way to make 3(CH4) + O2 -> C3H8 + 2(H20) we can use Mr. Pickens' natural gas more easily, and also cook up all the methane we need from any old biomass.

Comment from Albert Gamble
September 28th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

There is no easy solution to getting airplanes off of fossil fuels but there is no reson we can not get our homes completely off of fossil fuels. We need to push for the day when every home has solar panels and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines on the roof. On most cloudy days, it is windy so your roof would always be producing energy. The technology is here, we only incentives to make it more affordable and make the payback time quicker.

Comment from greenliving
October 1st, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Solar energy is not a practical form of energy. Current technology is unable to draw much amperage from solar energy at an affordable price. The future of energy is in wind turbines. And increased investment in public transportation.

Comment from isabel
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Gas tax as soon as prices get below $2 a gallon.
No more wars to corner oil markets.
Put freight back on the rails ENTIRELY.
Develop Amtrak into a service that can be taken seriously.
Economic development in regions now dependent on coal and mining jobs.
Give significant tax breaks in every state for:
- manufacturing/selling affordable hybrid and plugin cars
- buying affordable hybrid and plugin cars
- insulating and weatherstripping one's house
- developing/selling renewable resource technology
- schools that teach about renewable resources
- utilities moving to renewable energy sources
- towns/cities that recycle and educate residents
- towns/cities for improving public transport service
- selling transport ID cards cheap to elderly and needy
- converting single-family to two-family houses in areas with accessible public transportation.

Comment from Al Rubin
December 10th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

A previous post stated that cities needed to improve their public transportation systems. I live in Philadelphia and Ihave to say that our public transport system, SEPTA has to be one of the worst public transport systems I have ever experienced in the world. I'm not going into a lot of detail here, but, they are constantly running late, I think their rates are out of site, and if I took a train to work, I could not get home. They stop running to the outlying areas just before midnight!!!

Comment from Brandon Rutter
January 25th, 2009 at 2:23 am

Agriculture has been mentioned a few times here. Though organic and local is better than "conventional", our current agricultural practices both greatly reduce the CO2 absorption capabilities of the landscape, and take a lot of energy (generally in the form of fossil fuels) for tillage and other inputs. There are many other reasons to do it, but a transition to a perennial crop agriculture has the potential to drastically reduce oil consumption in this sector. The Land Institute works on perennial grasses, while Badgersett has hazel and chestnut systems going into production. It is a drastic but attainable goal.

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Comment from frequency converters
March 6th, 2010 at 4:44 am

Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.

Comment from frequency converters
March 6th, 2010 at 5:01 am

Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

Comment from frequency converters
March 6th, 2010 at 5:18 am

If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.