Good morning! WE NEED ENERGY NOW How do we get rid of hydrocarbon usage in this country? It’s pretty tough. According to a Wall Street Journal article, right now we’re getting 60% of our energy from hydrocarbons (coal, natural gas and oil). The other 40% comes from hydropower (which dams up our rivers), nuclear, wind, solar, geothermal and other renewables. The choices before us are among a series of less-than-optimal choices. If one chooses to go “all in” on wind and solar, one must delay the decommissioning of coal-burning plants for a very long time. If one chooses nuclear, one must address the issues of melt-down and the disposal of waste. If one does nothing, the earth will continue to heat up. There is no easy solution. But suggesting doing nothing—or maintaining the purity of purpose that will not accept any pollution or risk—are themselves decisions with consequences.
Very interesting. As a follow-up to this blog, it would be interesting to cite ways we can each make a difference. For example, cut back on driving, flying, electricity, retail returns, garment purchases, and meat consumption.
Hi. Agreed. Arguably the easiest and most immediate way to make a dent is to stop eating meet (or at least cutting back). It's crazy how much energy goes into growing cattle, which yields far less energy when consumed. My gut is that flying is a way of life and used so infrequently by each of us as to be more difficult to reduce (e.g., "the family goes to Hawaii every Christmas" versus, "we'll only go every other year"). Regarding the amount of waste generated by garments, for a few extra bucks we could buy American made goods and reduce the number of unregulated, pollution belching trans-oceanic freighters (and, in the process, employ people at higher wages and better conditions). Stay safe!
Very interesting. As a follow-up to this blog, it would be interesting to cite ways we can each make a difference. For example, cut back on driving, flying, electricity, retail returns, garment purchases, and meat consumption.
Hi. Agreed. Arguably the easiest and most immediate way to make a dent is to stop eating meet (or at least cutting back). It's crazy how much energy goes into growing cattle, which yields far less energy when consumed. My gut is that flying is a way of life and used so infrequently by each of us as to be more difficult to reduce (e.g., "the family goes to Hawaii every Christmas" versus, "we'll only go every other year"). Regarding the amount of waste generated by garments, for a few extra bucks we could buy American made goods and reduce the number of unregulated, pollution belching trans-oceanic freighters (and, in the process, employ people at higher wages and better conditions). Stay safe!