Why it’s important
Some Statistics, In Millions of Barrels Per Day
Generations to Come 1, 2, 3, 4
Fossil Fuels we use for energy:
Petroleum
Coal
Natural Gas
First, a brief history
Why it’s relevant
Politics:
Presidential Elections/Campaigns
Iraq War
Chinese Olympics
What is going on right now?
Taxes
The Cost of Energy and Everyday Appliances
What can YOU do?
Computers
I think I definitely did some blog stuff wrong, which I am very sorry about, but I can’t figure it out. I can’t find the comments I mad on other people’s blogs either, so I am also sorry about that. I commented on Caitlin’s, Joanna’s and Kelley’s blogs. Now, I’m peacing out…Enjoy!
Caitlin made an interesting point about the Diet Analogy…are we going for the full body makeover or the crash diet? I think it is definitely up to the individual to make small changes like buying different light bulbs, thinking about fuel efficiency when buying cars, not making unnecessary trips in those cars and, if possible, relying on transportation, yes. However, I also believe people and the government alike need to take more drastic measures. I know this issue can seem overwhelming, and it is because there is not real solution and no way to reverse the harmful things already done. We cannot tell the world to stop using energy either, just as we cannot tell a person to just stop eating. It doesn’t work that way. I honestly do not know how deep we are into the problem. Have we just touched on the tip of the iceburg, no pun intended, or is the global warming issue not as big as it seems. In the media we are faced with both opinions. In an effort to bring energy to the forefront of American’s minds, the issue has been raised in the presidential debates for 2008. Will the politicians follow through on their promises of reforming taxes to tax what people spend, not what they make? This is not the most realistic solution. I also have recently seen a video which promulgates the idea that global warming is a farce, a lie made up to scare the public into cutting back their energy consumption. Bottom line: I do not know, nor can I predict. I can only decide for myself, as this blog has helped me do, to be as energy conscious and energy efficient as I possibly can. I probably will not build my own custom, “green” house, but I do plan on buying a Hybrid car next time I get the chance. So, I urge the same for all the readers. Evaluate your actions now and do what you can and in the mean time, keep up with the presidential debates and with the China situation…these will be significant times in the coming energy crisis.
This is very closely related to my “About Me” section and very close to my heart. I recently learned about the folklore of Vampires and Transilvania and I feel that it relates the this situation. Historically, Vampires would “attack” when there was any problem in the standard transitions of life or when one person took more than their fair share of any entity. I feel like the same is occuring in the world today. Current energy consumers are taking as much energy as they desire without any regard to future generations themselves or the world they are left to live in. We are currently creating a global warming inflicted, energy barren world for generations to come. I feel that this issue is more about decency than anything. Are we that inconsiderate to our children that we would leave them a world in which they cannot enjoy the beauty of nature without suffering from coal dust floating over from China? We need to reconsider our priorities. Is your SUV or your child’s health or the health of the polar bears or of the world more important?
So, I heard of this girl that only drove in the car with the air conditioning on and the windows open. I wanted to throw up and punch her at the same time. Are you kidding? I wanted to ask. There is no greater way to waste energy and precious gasoline that unnecessarily using the air conditioners in cars. The gas milage significantly decreases when you use the air conditioner and when you drive over 55 miles per hour. In fact, the optimal speed for getting the best miles per gallon for the car is between 35 to 55 miles per gallon. It has been proposed that the government impose a national speed limit of 55 to increase fuel efficiency. Problem is, no one is willing to go less than 70 on an interstate.
I am excited about all the Venezuelans that can afford Hummers…Not! Because gas cost apporximately seven cents per gallon due to a government subsidy, the most desired car in Venezuela are these gas-guzzling monstrosities. The truth is, i am excited about hybrid cars, but more than that, I am excited to live on campus where I can walk and never have to 1) spend money on gasoline and 2) do not add to the pollution in the air by driving an individual vehicle. For the environment alone, I don’t even want a car next year (I never thought I would say that).
This is an informative video: have fun!
Wind Turbines and China: China gets most of it’s energy from coal but has an increasing interest in wind energy. In this day, with the Bejing Olympics of 2008 fast approachingand the controversy of human rights, China is providing us with yet another reason for unfavorable relations: they are insistant upon using coal to supply energy for their power plants which pollutes the rest of the world. Toxins float across the Pacific Ocean to pollute the lungs of Americans, thanks China. I heartily support the development of alternative energy resources such as wind, it is definately renewable.
This is semi-ironic, in the Thanksgiving season, that we are dealing with an energy crisis…the world is running out. In fact, Thanksgiving is the “official” start of the Christmas season in which we use more energy than ever: lighting trees and houses, shopping, heating the house to be toasty and warm, and baking cookies. It seems ” ’tis the season” has a different meaning: not so much giving, a lot more consuming.
Today, I read in darkness. I woke up, enjoyed the natural light flooding my room and read in bed without turning on a light. I was glorious! However, this is not always possible, so, for those times when the sun will do, I bask in its warmth
Beth Doriani's Weblog 