kids electric cars for cheap image
Diggy
We all know gas prices are high. I think they will only get higher, save some dips in the off-season. The issue is all the energy we use, not just our cars. Some say alternative fuels. Is it possible to simply switch over to ethenol? No. Should we be thinking about the way we live, our infrastructure, public transportation, how far and often we drive?
The cost of heating and cooling our homes will also continue to rise. Is there significant wind and solar technologies as an alternative? Nuclear, coal, hydro? What do you think?
Answer
The problem isn't our ability to produce energy--the technology is there. Nor is switching our cars to alternative energy a problem--although ethanol is not the solution--electric cars are.
The usual immediate answer is that electric cars aren't practical. In point of fact they are--and we could have been producing them for decades; the first workable electric cars were around 100 years ago (NO, I'M NOT KIDDING)
So where are they? That brings us to the real problem: special interests. We do not have alternative enrgies--we are dependant on foreign oil--for the simple reason that special intersests--mostly the fossil fuel industry--have actively blocked changes in policy and access to markets for alternative technologies.
As to the rest of your question: we have a growing solar and wind power industry--both are commercially competitive. Nuclear is an option that merits careful study. Coal is not a viable long term option--it is not carbon-neutral (its worse than oil, in fact). Ethanol is viable--but the problem is scale: how much farmland can we shift to this, along with all the fertilizer, etc, before the ecological impact outweighs the value. Besides, ethanol is not cheap.
The problem isn't our ability to produce energy--the technology is there. Nor is switching our cars to alternative energy a problem--although ethanol is not the solution--electric cars are.
The usual immediate answer is that electric cars aren't practical. In point of fact they are--and we could have been producing them for decades; the first workable electric cars were around 100 years ago (NO, I'M NOT KIDDING)
So where are they? That brings us to the real problem: special interests. We do not have alternative enrgies--we are dependant on foreign oil--for the simple reason that special intersests--mostly the fossil fuel industry--have actively blocked changes in policy and access to markets for alternative technologies.
As to the rest of your question: we have a growing solar and wind power industry--both are commercially competitive. Nuclear is an option that merits careful study. Coal is not a viable long term option--it is not carbon-neutral (its worse than oil, in fact). Ethanol is viable--but the problem is scale: how much farmland can we shift to this, along with all the fertilizer, etc, before the ecological impact outweighs the value. Besides, ethanol is not cheap.
Should I purchase an RV or trade in my minivan for a truck and pull a trailer camper?
naughty in
This isn't in the near future, but the next time my husband deploys, I'm thinking about homeschooling the kids for a year and traveling the country, camping in or near national parks. I want them to see the redwoods and Yellowstone and all that. I haven't thought much about it; I'm just starting to get serious about it. Any thoughts? Also, who wants to let me camp in the driveway for a week?
Answer
I found it cheaper to camp in a trailer and have a truck at your disposal.
Pulling a small car behind a motor home involves upkeep on two engines and drive trains.
You guys can stay with me on your way to Yellowstone, I have my own water and electric hookups, WiFi with cable and a dump station a block away.
RScott
I found it cheaper to camp in a trailer and have a truck at your disposal.
Pulling a small car behind a motor home involves upkeep on two engines and drive trains.
You guys can stay with me on your way to Yellowstone, I have my own water and electric hookups, WiFi with cable and a dump station a block away.
RScott
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Title Post: What are the solutions to our mounting energy crisis?
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Rating: 92% based on 925 ratings. 4 user reviews.
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