[Shadow_Group] Viewpoint: Americans can reduce their oil consumption

[ItalysBadBoy]

 http://www.pressconnects.com/today/opinion/stories/op013105s142219.shtml Guest Viewpoint: Americans can reduce their oil consumptionBY JAMES M. FICKE

Will we revert to the state of medieval villagers once the "black gold" we rely on today is depleted? No, there is hope. 
 
 Here are 12 steps that can save 86 percent of the oil; the remaining 14 percent would be replaced by biofuels. We will not take into account efficiency from technology, or fuel cells. These are well recognized estimates that many experts of sustainability agree with. 
One, stay at home. Combine errands or do not do them at all. Use the Internet. Savings is 5 percent less oil used. 
Two, walk. We can save another 5 percent of oil by using our feet and legs for trips within two miles. 
Three, cycle. Can a world be designed around bikes with trailers, electric bikes and many other folding bikes that one can take on the train or bus? Yes! Savings is an additional 15 percent of oil. 
Fourth, sharing vehicles is a great option in the equation of sustainability. Greater coordination within communities between the citizens would result in an additional 5 percent savings in "black gold" fuel. 
Fifth, mass transit can save an additional 20 percent of oil by using minibuses, light rail, and hybrid engines. 
Sixth, car sharing. Pay by the mile and hour, making one think twice before driving. 
Seven, electric vehicles. New lithium batteries can last for up to 200 miles between charges. So far we are at a total of saving 75 percent of our liquid fuel. 
Eighth, we can manufacture hybrid cars that can get 167 miles to the gallon, not a dream but a reality. Savings total now at 86.5 percent less fuel used. 
Ninth, smart cars. There are several models out there that get 237 miles per gallon, a savings of 3.7 billion gallons a year under certain circumstances. 
Tenth, biofuels using sea-water ponds and sunshine along with algae can produce approximately a billion gallons of biodiesel every 20,000 hectares. Farm and sewage waste together can produce another 168 billion gallons a year. 
Eleventh, electricity is viable and absolutely necessary. It is estimated that North Dakota alone can generate electricity using wind power, eight times more than we need in this short scenario. 
The twelfth step is sound, wise and smart energy policies. With a $2.7 trillion government leading the way toward sustainability, only then will markets open up, creating a great new backbone economy bent on saving the planet and ultimately the human race, while producing better jobs. 
There would also be a multiplier effect with such a scenario -- benefits such as less acid rain, less smog, more community and healthier citizens. 
Yes, fear of the unknown is always a challenge, but when was America never up to challenges of such importance for its citizens and the world? 
Ficke is an Endwell resident. 





++++++++++++++++++++++++++STOP THE WALL++++++++++++++++++++++++++

www.stopthewall.org www.nad-plo.org www.hrw.org www.pal-arc.org www.endtheoccupation.org www.sustaincampaign.org






		
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