Bloomberg “Don’t rush to blame BP over the oil disaster.” I have to agree with this statement. As provocative as that might be, we have a responsibility for the oil spill. The United States is the largest energy consumer in terms of total use, using 100 quadrillion BTUs in 2005. (No demand No BP) A general tendency is to resist taking any sort of personal responsibility for energy-dependency (Think of the crack/drug addict). Our drug of choice is energy consumption. We are impaired to see that a different form of life is possible with alternative renewable energy sources. My, Your, Our – addiction to consumption is way out of control!
Growing-up I remember my dad using kerosene heaters throughout the house because he refused to pay the exorbitant cost of oil to heat the house back then (1980s). He would sit around with his parka coat and gloves on while he watched TV. I remember having the thermostat all the way up in my room and I thought he was going to have a heart attack and/or kill me! So now I am an adult and thanks to my Dad – Mama refuses to pay a lot for energy. I have a few vices (no one is perfect) however energy ain’t one of them! My friends make fun of me – Don’t visit Rochelle in the winter or the summer. In the winter, my place is a great rejuvenator to get the blood pumping with the cool burst of air that embraces you as you sit around. My remedy is usually handing out blankets to guests and/or offering hot tea. In the summer, the moist heat is sauna like and I usually do not turn on the air conditioner unless there is critical mass of about 5 or more guests. I have gone entire summer seasons without ever turning on the air conditioner. I don’t own a car or TV and the lights in my house I use minimally. At times, I laugh at myself – my appearance would never lead you to believe I have made such choices for my life. A friend said: I have a wood-stock soul with the glamour of the stars.
The truth is – Americans think they are entitled to having energy on demand. Our energy consumption is alarming. It is time to Ring the Alarm! The fact is that someday, non-renewable resources will run out. One might debate or opine about when this will happen, but there is no dispute that it will. Oil is a non-renewable resource. This means that we cannot create oil. Oil results from the decay of dead material under layers of mud, which under pressure and, transforms into a sticky, black, carbon-based fluid. In a sense, oil is cooked dead stuff.
What do we do? Here are few first steps to consider: (1) Look for local products to consume. (2) Work near where you live, or find a place to live near where you work. (3) Raise your own awareness of energy consumption and dependence. (4) Be a reflection of your beliefs in the community and if you find yourself falling into the trap of entitlement (realize that it is a selfish position), dig-out/ask for help. (5) Limit your false needs/addiction to overall consumption (this is an area of improvement for me).
It starts with you and me! Take a gander at the charts below:
Energy Consumption by Sector
Until the next time – I adore you for reading my blog,
