Last night, my blood ran cold when I heard a mostly full arena chanting "Drill Baby Drill" at the RNC. I had no intention of making my blog a political platform in a partisan way, but I for one can't let this pass.
An energy strategy that involves drilling for more oil and natural gas, especially in protected areas, is not a solution... it's simply a stop-gap measure that only delays the inevitable energy crisis while also putting more CO2 into the atmosphere.
If you're reading my blog, you're probably already against the GOP's energy strategy. If you need convincing, you should check out Obama's New Energy for America page.
I'm not an American, but this is one issue where I need to make my voice heard, even if I cannot vote, because the US energy strategy will affect me and everyone else on the planet.
Are you an American undecided or non-voter? Will you cast a vote on my behalf? Tell me and we will feature it on this blog between now and November 7.
1 comment:
I am reading your blog, I am an American, and I am NOT against the GOP's strategy. But I am for change in America's energy policies.
Obama scares the bejeebbers out of me for what he would do to the American economy, the American legislative structure and the nation in general. I have no interest in the American Representative democracy becoming a socialist democracy -- which is what I believe would happen if Obama got elected. I think that would be the beginning of the end for America.
If there was a magic switch that we could flick and move everything to "green", I would be willing to flip it. I would PAY to flip it. But we don't. We have an entrenched energy structure, and without the benefit of short-term oil drilling, that structure and the over-lying economy would collapse. America is not what it once was, but it is still a major support in the world's financial structure. If America's economy collapses, how far get other countries get from it without it harming THEIR economies. It doesn't sound nice, but I believe that is the truth.
What would be a good first step?
Nuclear energy (proven for decades through-out Europe, with better and better designs following with each generation). But we're years away from bringing anything online even if we could get concensus tomorrow.
Alternate energy? Where is it? Turn the switch on, and let it play. Great strides have been made, but but sadly, AE is still in its infancy. One of the sadest things is only very large players seem to have a chance... we need more smaller companies and individuals making strides -- AE should be in the hands of the people rather than in multi-national companies (opinion).
Oil. Not the optimum solution, but an interim solution. Oil, wx you like it or not, is the life-blood of the WORLD's energy. America's espcially. Unless American should shrivel and die, it will need that life blood. American oil could displace PART of the large requirements that America has. (Hopefully, we could get the American oil companies to actually sell the oil IN America, instead of trying to peddle it in the world economy for more profit... )
Are there better solutions? Theoretically, but not practically.
Research and development are crucial, and it's crucial that any break-throughs aren't swallowed and shelved by big-big-big business.
I would support the breaking free of selective patents (energy-related, or AE-related patents) placing them in the open market for smaller companies to develop. That is a horrible departure for me, as I support intellectual property rights, and that would fly in the face of IP rights.
I should VERY much like to see regulations relaxed to allow SMALLER companies to manufacture AE products -- especially automobiles -- thus displacing a LOT of the oil that we need to stay alive. Remember the almost-documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?" It had lots of facts interspersed with the propaganda. I WANT one of those cars. And with every new product developed, all countries could use the same technology, dropping the demand for oil across the board.
Anyway, I have only read a couple of blog entries, and have enjoyed the blog so far.
Thanks for letting me speak.
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