Provocative perhaps in the sense of addressing the dodgy subject of energy. But after reading, I'm left thinking it is a good summary of the quandary but ultimately is status quo. "We'll be dependent on fossil fuels for a long time" isn't exactly a big motivator to do otherwise.
It almost espouses globalization. I think that no matter what business one is in, moving goods less distances is usually preferred. Independence is usually pretty good. Concentrated sources of energy are a political nightmare. (And the argument has nothing to do with ethnicity.)
How about:
* Plastic isn't the best "recyclable" material. How about re-using the containers? Couldn't we standardize containers so that not every bottle of lotion needs to have a pop-up cap or a plunger dispenser? Just remove the seal and place in a standard dispenser (which could be bought at any store) or cap from the previous or similar product.
* Bicycle. The super battery is probably a long way off and likely a violation of thermodynamic principles regarding work/heat/energy. The bicycle is here today and if we build an infrastructure for it, it will be here for a long time to come.
* Ethanol for farming use only. In some instances, energy density and cleanliness win out. Can a super battery possibly pack as much energy as a tank of ethanol? (I don't know, but that is what research is for.) Is a battery recharged by wind turbines? Everything in the whole process has to be considered as far as its impact.
* After reading this blog, we all know about mixed land use, or lack thereof.
As with politicians, identifying the problem is easy. Coming up with viable solutions is something different.
Provocative perhaps in the sense of addressing the dodgy subject of energy. But after reading, I'm left thinking it is a good summary of the quandary but ultimately is status quo. "We'll be dependent on fossil fuels for a long time" isn't exactly a big motivator to do otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt almost espouses globalization. I think that no matter what business one is in, moving goods less distances is usually preferred. Independence is usually pretty good. Concentrated sources of energy are a political nightmare. (And the argument has nothing to do with ethnicity.)
How about:
* Plastic isn't the best "recyclable" material. How about re-using the containers? Couldn't we standardize containers so that not every bottle of lotion needs to have a pop-up cap or a plunger dispenser? Just remove the seal and place in a standard dispenser (which could be bought at any store) or cap from the previous or similar product.
* Bicycle. The super battery is probably a long way off and likely a violation of thermodynamic principles regarding work/heat/energy. The bicycle is here today and if we build an infrastructure for it, it will be here for a long time to come.
* Ethanol for farming use only. In some instances, energy density and cleanliness win out. Can a super battery possibly pack as much energy as a tank of ethanol? (I don't know, but that is what research is for.) Is a battery recharged by wind turbines? Everything in the whole process has to be considered as far as its impact.
* After reading this blog, we all know about mixed land use, or lack thereof.
As with politicians, identifying the problem is easy. Coming up with viable solutions is something different.