Comments on: Learning from the Ozone Hole http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/ Melding fiction and science in life and on paper Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:31:23 +0000 http://www.today.com/version-2.3.1 By: stephanieebarr http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2743 stephanieebarr Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:49:01 +0000 http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2743 There is an everything now philosophy that's pretty prevalent here, an off-shoot of our past prosperity, that something is better than nothing, no matter what the something is and that anything is doable in installments. Save now, pay later. It's a factor behind our debt crisis. The thing is, paying more indefinitely, being at the mercy of energy companies is not good. People are scared now (and propoganda from those same companies is part and parcel of that) because, if energy prices go through the stratosphere, they will have no choice but to pay whatever they're asked. As happened to gasoline and fuel prices a year or so back. However, if each individual reduces their dependence on energy companies by improving energy efficiency, investing in energy resources of their own, etc, they become resilient (if not immune) to the vagaries of the market. What's the down side for the consumer if investments in solar power makes it more accessible, drives down costs, improves reliability? None. Big Oil whines: if we subsidize solar/wind/etc, people will invest even though the real cost is higher than oil. And the downside to that thinking for the consumer? Nothing. It only hurts oil. Because, even if they were benevolent and looking out for our interests, oil IS getting harder to find and more expensive to extract. Some day the prices will have to go up. If we haven't found alternatives BEFORE that happens, we'll be screwed, not big oil. There is an everything now philosophy that’s pretty prevalent here, an off-shoot of our past prosperity, that something is better than nothing, no matter what the something is and that anything is doable in installments. Save now, pay later. It’s a factor behind our debt crisis.

The thing is, paying more indefinitely, being at the mercy of energy companies is not good. People are scared now (and propoganda from those same companies is part and parcel of that) because, if energy prices go through the stratosphere, they will have no choice but to pay whatever they’re asked. As happened to gasoline and fuel prices a year or so back.

However, if each individual reduces their dependence on energy companies by improving energy efficiency, investing in energy resources of their own, etc, they become resilient (if not immune) to the vagaries of the market. What’s the down side for the consumer if investments in solar power makes it more accessible, drives down costs, improves reliability? None. Big Oil whines: if we subsidize solar/wind/etc, people will invest even though the real cost is higher than oil.

And the downside to that thinking for the consumer? Nothing. It only hurts oil. Because, even if they were benevolent and looking out for our interests, oil IS getting harder to find and more expensive to extract. Some day the prices will have to go up. If we haven’t found alternatives BEFORE that happens, we’ll be screwed, not big oil.

]]> By: attygnorris http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2742 attygnorris Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:03:35 +0000 http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2742 I agree with Shakespeare. "What people don’t seem to grasp–but corporations do, and that’s why they are reticent to change–is that it would be so much CHEAPER if we used other forms of energy. Once the set-up is paid for, running such systems using solar and wind energy is CHEAP."--I vote to take the more economic and environmentally safe route because it just makes more sense. It won't pad the pockets of big corporations, but it just a better way of life. Davida I agree with Shakespeare. “What people don’t seem to grasp–but corporations do, and that’s why they are reticent to change–is that it would be so much CHEAPER if we used other forms of energy. Once the set-up is paid for, running such systems using solar and wind energy is CHEAP.”–I vote to take the more economic and environmentally safe route because it just makes more sense. It won’t pad the pockets of big corporations, but it just a better way of life.

Davida

]]> By: stephanieebarr http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2740 stephanieebarr Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:20:58 +0000 http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2740 THIS is what I'm saying. Big up front cost (though technology is already driving some of those costs down). You save forever after that. You are immune from the vagaries of oil's ups and downs. Even making relatively small changes: solar screens, new windows or increased insulation for existing ones, radiant barriers, dropping/upping the thermostat, solar water preheaters, intelligent use of window coverings and passive solar heating, programmable thermostats, energy efficient appliances and cars, can have huge impacts on your bills as well as the environment. Adding just a couple (not all) of the solar screens on the windows facing south on my house save us $150-200/month in the summer. Oh, the horror! THIS is what I’m saying. Big up front cost (though technology is already driving some of those costs down). You save forever after that. You are immune from the vagaries of oil’s ups and downs.

Even making relatively small changes: solar screens, new windows or increased insulation for existing ones, radiant barriers, dropping/upping the thermostat, solar water preheaters, intelligent use of window coverings and passive solar heating, programmable thermostats, energy efficient appliances and cars, can have huge impacts on your bills as well as the environment. Adding just a couple (not all) of the solar screens on the windows facing south on my house save us $150-200/month in the summer.

Oh, the horror!

]]> By: shakespeare http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2739 shakespeare Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:11:52 +0000 http://rocketscientist.today.com/2009/03/17/learning-from-the-ozone-hole/#comment-2739 Hallelujah to that! What people don't seem to grasp--but corporations do, and that's why they are reticent to change--is that it would be so much CHEAPER if we used other forms of energy. Once the set-up is paid for, running such systems using solar and wind energy is CHEAP. Kansas should really jump on this. The wind never stops there. And it's not the only place. And Las Vegas, where it rains 4 days a year, is one of hundreds of cities in the sunbelt who could easily generate their own energy by solar means (not sure if such a thing could work up here in Seattle, though). My mother-in-law is considering putting solar panels on her roof. The initial cost will be about $20,000, but it will immediately save her on bills, SUBSTANTIALLY. And it will use less energy from nonrenewable sources, too. All good things. Hallelujah to that! What people don’t seem to grasp–but corporations do, and that’s why they are reticent to change–is that it would be so much CHEAPER if we used other forms of energy. Once the set-up is paid for, running such systems using solar and wind energy is CHEAP.

Kansas should really jump on this. The wind never stops there. And it’s not the only place. And Las Vegas, where it rains 4 days a year, is one of hundreds of cities in the sunbelt who could easily generate their own energy by solar means (not sure if such a thing could work up here in Seattle, though).

My mother-in-law is considering putting solar panels on her roof. The initial cost will be about $20,000, but it will immediately save her on bills, SUBSTANTIALLY. And it will use less energy from nonrenewable sources, too. All good things.

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