As you probably know, I do a short feature on WERU each week called Earth Sense and sometimes rememberto post them here. Here’s the latest:
Hello and welcome to Earth Sense, thanks for stopping by. I’ve noticed a spate of discussion on gas prices and a variety of opinions: government should do something, higher gas prices fall unfairly on lower income, oil companies are gouging, etc. It’s become part of our daily conversation, almost like how’s the weather.
Yes, higher gas prices affect Americans who live in a car centered transportation system. It unfairly falls on lower income folks, rural folks, hey, that’s us, but there are things we can all do…
Following are a few ideas. I’m not suggesting there are ideas for every situation, lifestyle, or job but you may find something that helps.
During the CA energy ‘crisis’ a few years ago (ginned up as it was) Californians reduced energy use by almost a third. Now with energy in great supply again, energy use is back up. But, that tells us that when pushed we can conserve. Today, there are warnings of blackouts in New England this winter. Why not practice conservation and head off system failure? Can’t hurt.
#1) Conserve with a vengeance. Really practice, look for ways to conserve. Everything from leaving lights on to lowering the thermostat to changing to compact fluroscents. In other words, stop being lazy and enforce some rules in the house. Charge for wastefulness and make it stick. Have a family meeting and lay it out. Say we have to find ways to cut 25% of the energy we use.
#2) Car pool whenever possible..widen your circle to find rides. If you have a job in the same location with regular hours, find someone to go to work with.
#3) Never waste a single trip. Plan ahead so as to avoid coming home and then going out. One trip out and one trip back.
#4) Kids need to go here, there, and everywhere? Work with other parents, car pool and put the kids on bikes (weather permitting). They complain? Tough. For older kids, they want a car they have to earn it (and the insurance and the gas). That will slow them down. Here’s one thing I’ve noticed. Who is riding the school buses anymore? The car lines to drop kids off are long. Same thing in the afternoon to pick them up. Is it really necessary. Geez, I hate to sound like an old guy but in my day…..
#5) Talk to your neighbors. Are they facing the same problems? What can be done as a neighborhood to take the pressure off? I’ve seen neighborhood coops where 5-10 families get together, maintain one pick-up and sell some other vehicles off.
#6) Insulate your dwelling. Renting or buying, tighten it up, add insulation if possible and close off parts of the house not in daily, constant use. Each degree you lower the thermostat saves at least 1% on your fuel bill. There is nothing wrong with wearing a sweater indoors in Maine in winter.
I think people instinctively do many of the above but we should be creative, innovative and do what we can to make adjustments. Gas and energy prices are not going down for any extended time period…we are going to go through a heck of a transition period and no oil reserve is going to bail us out. Work together. It’s all about pooling resources, working together and getting a little away from our isolated lifestyle. It is not saying ‘there’s nothing I can do’ or `I need a big truck’ or it’s not my fault where I live or whatever. It is each of our situations and we will have to deal with it. There are no magic wands. There is you, there is me, and we need to reach out and work together. I’ve just given you 6 ideas. Take two of them you haven’t put into practice and save.
Have an idea for an Earth Sense piece? Want more info on this subject? Write me at info@weru.org and be sure to put Earth Sense in the subject line. I read them and respond. This has been another Random Thought on Earth by Phil Bailey