Actually
Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
> People need to realize how seriously dependent we are on the stuff: the
> agricultural revolution that has fueled the population explosion on this
> planet is due primarily to petroleum. Chemical fertilizers, insecticides,
> the heavy equipment and distribution system all use oil.
Except in 3rd World and developing countries where things are done in more
economical ways-and many times in the ways they have for centuries. I'm
thinking of rural areas. Pity more people don't listen to the BBC World
Service-one of my favourite programmes is one about projects in these
underdeveloped, poor places where they don't have heavy equipement and
everything is done in a way to make these people self-sufficient-not
dependent on fuel they cannot afford, and chemicals that don't exist in
their world. It's a mazing because we think that our way is the norm-maybe
in our 1st World. Oh, and these people have plenty of babies!
>Once it's gone,
> that's it.
Interesting bit on one of those science shows-some oil field in Mexico or
somewhere, where it was thought that the oil was running out-and they've
(scientists, petro engineers) have found that it's filling up again-and they
cannot explain it!
>In only one century we have consumed from 1/3 to 1/2 of the
> easily extractable petroleum.
> I'll gladly pay $5/gallon for gas if it makes people think about our
> dependence on oil and start pushing for alternatives.
You must have more money that I! If I have to pay $5/gal, I shan't be able
to afford to live! Groceries will go up, plastic products which are used in
abundance in hospitals will go up-driving the price of medical care up (I
spent $15,000 in 1998 in medical expences-and I wasn't even hospitalized
once that year!), And that would be the begining! Housing costs would go up
and the affordable housing market would shrink even further as the start ups
for affordable would be even fewer, (In Orange and L.A. Counties, there's
already a terrible affordable housing shortage as most of othe start ups are
for custom homes for the wealthy. There are people in this county, families
who make $60,000 who can't afford a place to live-and the waiting lists for
apartments are long-some as long as 2 years!)-so many things that aren't
conspicuous consumption, and many people who are already making great
sacrifices-would be horribly affected.
So, being glad to pay $5 gal. would truly make it a world for the wealthy
only, eh?
I say we start with getting SUVs off the road!
Laura G.
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