Not Just Another Pretty Chart

Now back when I was a kid we walked; to school, to play, to where ever. If we weren't walking we rode our bikes. And it wasn't just some of the time, it was every day - I mean it was how we got where we wanted to go.

Those of you who are regular readers of this wacky blog know one of my pet peeves is our reliance of oil in our daily lives. So here is a chart which proves my point. I found it on PhysOrg.com in an article titled "US energy use chart shows we waste more than half our energy".

Which brings me to another pet peeve, that of waste and consumption. I may be older than dirt, but not quite old enough to remember the GREAT DEPRESSION, but I do remember World War II and the effects it had upon the everyday lives of most Americans. Everything went toward the war effort. Gasoline was rationed as were tires. We had coupon books issued for daily needs and people learned to make do. No one grumbled, they just pitched in and did their part.

Maybe it was enduring those years that made society go consumption crazy  I don't know. But we seemed to move rather quickly to a completely disposable nation over night. I mean everything from razors to marriages are tossed out when people are done with them.

But we are simply going to have to take a second look at our consumption rates and change some of our habits. "Drill Baby Drill" is not the cure-all anthem to our woes. The article went on to note:

The chart emphasizes the importance of using alternative methods of transportation - walking, biking, public transportation, or anything else that moves more human and less steel. Unfortunately, due to developers building sprawling suburbs to satisfy Americans’ demands of large homes and yards, many people now find themselves miles from the nearest grocery store and have no choice but to drive everywhere. To illustrate how transportation consumption and waste dwarfs residential consumption, a blog post on Treehugger notes that “building suburbs of Energy Star houses with solar panels on top is a complete waste of time.”

Smaller is better and less is more - a new anthem to chant. But it won't come without some pain. Change like exercise will use some muscles we have not used in some time. And there is a whole generation or two out there that thinks legs are only for shaving and dancing. But I know you all can do it, give it a try. And remember "turn out the light when you leave the room" - it will drive your brother/sister crazy.