March 29, 2004

• This post relates to a couple of comments I received on an earlier post regarding windmills and alternative energy.

  fuzzybuddha : I didn’t realize the vibrations that a windmill connected to a living structure would create. Thinking about it, it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the feedback.

  I have heard that there are a number of sources available to help people fund alternative energy options. When I get to the point where I have the cash to do some work, I’ll definitely want to look into it. Any resources people know about would, of course, be appreciated.

  LutherChick : I agree that concerns regarding energy consumption are in many ways more significant than those regarding energy production. When our nation, consisting of 5% of the world population, uses 30% of its resources, there is certainly a problem.

  Let the rant begin.

  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is definitely something to pursue. Unfortunately, as a society, we have many things set up in a way that encourage or require wasteful energy practices. Abysmal public transportation, cheap waste disposal with little thought to encouraging people to reduce, use of globalization to reduce manufacturing costs of imported products to a point where it is not economically viable to make even simple repairs on most electronics and many other goods, etc.

  I’ve heard that in Germany, you are charged by the pound for your trash. Even something as simple as that would have to have an impact on purchasing, packaging, recycling, and disposal considerations.

  As to public transit, there is much to complain about what is available to us – of course, one of our weaknesses there is suburbanization – many areas (including the twin cities) do not have sufficient population density to make transit viable without significant subsidization.

  Of course, there’s always the externalization of costs as well. Do our oil and gasoline prices include the costs of maintaining a military capable of maintaining the flow? Do the fees paid on our automobiles include the costs to build and maintain the roads as well as any consideration for the damage caused by their use? How about the sharing of utility costs in a manner which favors suburbanization and urban sprawl. Do you really think it costs $30 to hook up your phone? Nope, more like a quarter, but those of us in urban areas have to pay for lines to get run out to suburbia. And on. And on.

  But, back to why I like the idea of thousands of micro power installations. It isn’t to supplement our current power sources – it is to replace them.

  To reduce our dependence on large monopolies. To keep the money we pay for our power in our communities. To end what I believe to be our major interest in the middle east. To significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by the burning of coal and the risks of fission reactors.

  I hate that a person can’t go fishing, catch dinner and eat it without worrying about mercury in the water from coal, oil, and (unfortunately) biomass and trash recycling.

  I think it is ridiculous that in a state with so much natural renewable resource (wind, water, sun, etc.) that give our money to ridiculously powerful oil companies who give a portion of it to the corrupt lords of the middle east who share approximately none of it to the poor souls they govern.

  I wonder if we stopped funneling money and weapons into the region and left it alone for a while, what would happen. Probably a lot of bloodshed for a time followed by an opportunity to actually rebuild their societies and cultures without the damage caused by “western interests” (or any other interests). They’d still be poor, but I can’t help but think they’d come up with something better than they have now – after all, these are the countries and people from where civilization originated. Hard to believe now, but there it is. There are still remnants of those great cultures that may re-establish themselves.

  I am dismayed by the fact that heavy metal poisoning from exhausts may actually have a significant impact on the developmental intelligence of children raised near freeways used by commuters. I am dismayed that asthma and allergies are way beyond historical levels. I am dismayed that even the conservatives are starting to admit to the reality of global warming, human responsibility for it, and the horrific impact it may well have.

  Can it be solved with a small windmill? Can it be solved with a small hydro plant? Can it be solved with some solar shingles or passive pipes? Can it be solved with a couple rain barrels? Can it be solved with my garden?

  No. Of course not.

  But if I do it, and you do it, and all our neighbors do it, and all there neighbors do it, then, perhaps a difference may be made.

  And even if it isn’t, at least the money spent on power production will stay in our communities.

  • 5:37 pm
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