Beavs
Cathlete
<<But nuclear energy is bad, coal is bad, we can't drill in the Artic that's bad, on and on. I'm not making a statement pro or con for any particular energy source here, just pointing out that we are not going to go back to the days when people basically stayed in one place all their lives (barring any major unpleasantness a la The Stand that is!) and so we have to find some sort of compromise here, to get out from under big oil.>>
And here is the problem. Since WWII we have built our country around a sprawling interstate system assuming the oil supply would be endless and free of any conflict with foreign countries. We had a little scare in the 70s that really didn't change our behaviors. Now we live in the suburbs, drive 10 miles to Target, 10 miles to the grocery store, 25 miles to work and there seem to be few option in the way of public transporation (unless you live someplace like Seattle). People are going to have to change their lifestyles, we are going to build and rely on better public transportation, and kids are going to have to walk to soccer practice (given the increase in childhood obesity this seems like a good deal to me), and we are going to have to find alternative energy sources (many already exist!).
And here is the problem. Since WWII we have built our country around a sprawling interstate system assuming the oil supply would be endless and free of any conflict with foreign countries. We had a little scare in the 70s that really didn't change our behaviors. Now we live in the suburbs, drive 10 miles to Target, 10 miles to the grocery store, 25 miles to work and there seem to be few option in the way of public transporation (unless you live someplace like Seattle). People are going to have to change their lifestyles, we are going to build and rely on better public transportation, and kids are going to have to walk to soccer practice (given the increase in childhood obesity this seems like a good deal to me), and we are going to have to find alternative energy sources (many already exist!).