5 Comments so far

1. PJD February 20th, 2007 6:00 pm

   We hear this talk of the draconian reductions on fossil-fuel use to prevent runaway global warming and our possible extinction.

   But as I am writing this, many thousands of employees in the coal, gas, oil, electric, motor vehicle, appliance, and countless other firms, perhaps many many of you reading this, spend every working day on one goal. This goal is ever-increasing per-capita usage of fossil fuel as necessary for continued profit.

   Any economist would laugh out loud at any suggestion that fossil fuel usage be curtailed under our “free market” system. In preparation of their energy usage projections through mid-century, the corporations give absolutely zero consideration of the possibility of reduced fossil fuel usage.

   Marx was right, but in a horrifying way he could not have imagined. Capitalism is sowing the seeds of it’s destruction all right - but they will be taking the rest of humanity with it.

2. Sam February 21st, 2007 1:41 am

   On a contributing note, check out this site:
   http://architecture2030.org/

   Yes, fossil fuels, but there are other contributors to the scenario and something (many things) we can do. Today, Feb. 20, Architecture 2030 hosted an interactive web-cast for 500,000 students, faculty, administrators, design and government folk to look at the contribution by the Building Sector to climate change. There is work to be done. The goals set by Architecture 2030 for fossil fuel reduction in all new buildings are-
   60% in 2010
   70% in 2015
   80% in 2020
   90% in 2025
   Carbon-neutral by 2030 (using no fossil-fuel GHG-emitting energy to operate)

   I heard Ed Mazria speak a few months ago at Santa Fe Design Week–the first time I’ve felt any hope for this complex and overwhelming situation we’ve created. This is worth a look–if it makes sense to you, get busy locally to change the building codes. It will take a lot of education and cooperation to change our building habits–most of us are unaware just what they are. But we’ve built a couple of highly visible green buildings in Santa Fe and have started the ball rolling. The web site has lots of info, clear and accessible.

3. barclay February 21st, 2007 9:15 am

   I would like suggestions of how to reduce my home-heating load. Currently it is all electric. However, it is a 260-year-old stone structure 65 feet long by 38 feet wide, and is controlled by provincial guidelines. The ground floor temperature this past month has been about 52 degrees Fahrenheit, and that is with the hot water heating system and electric radiators up to full blast.
   The second floor, attic, etc. have all been insulated, as has part of the ground floor. Doors and windows have all been replaced with thermopane glass. The house is also located on the shores of a major river with the opposite shore some 13 miles away (on a clear day).

   Is there any hope? Gratitude will be endless.

4. rmboyter February 21st, 2007 9:57 am

   The only hope for the world, is the Truth. We must look at the Worlds, fragile, climate, and we must make changes now.
   1. All new construction, must be be solar assisted, and energy efficient
   2. All subsidies for Oil must be removed, and strong ones started for energy efficent systems, the more efficient, the greater the subsidy.
   3. Hybred Automobiles must be made law, and implemented ASAP.
   Its a start, its our only hope. We
   must act immediately, its could allready be too late.

5. bnciraparuko December 10th, 2007 3:18 am

   titvevapesata…

   exvopevytyxa…

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