tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post7712710205172874889..comments2024-03-18T21:16:14.441-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Energy Independence??Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-54941470191660562312010-07-06T18:47:22.177-04:002010-07-06T18:47:22.177-04:00Two years ago my husband and I gave up our second ...Two years ago my husband and I gave up our second car. He can take the T to work and the days of running our kids from one activity to another were over. When we run into a conflict we can't negotiate our way around we rent a Zipcar. Zipcar is very educational because you're paying for your car, insurance, gas and garaging all in one hourly fee. It really gives you a sense of the cost of ownership.<br /><br />Still, we could conserve more, especially me.Barb Rossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60698076393807299992010-07-06T11:20:34.316-04:002010-07-06T11:20:34.316-04:00Here's what Edith Maxwell keeps trying to say ...Here's what Edith Maxwell keeps trying to say but blogger is gobbling her up:<br /><br />I always use the clothesline. I drive a Prius with mpg lately 62-63 mpg. Buy and eat locally grown food whenever possible.<br /><br />She is a star! And good work Sheila, Kathy, and Pat too.. my sheets are on the line right now--and drying like nobody's business in this heat!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89196057249544603442010-07-06T10:57:35.743-04:002010-07-06T10:57:35.743-04:00I had a frugal Scottish mother so I've always ...I had a frugal Scottish mother so I've always been weird about saving energy. It's a relief to know I'm not going to be alone in my urge to turn off and unplug. I use cold water to wash clothes and I never iron. Where I live, a clothesline would work in the summer but in winter, I'd end up with frozen stiffs. I'm also looking into a hybrid for my next car. There are no natural gas lines where I live. Most homes are set up for oil heat. I'd be open for any suggestions for alternative heating sources.Pauline Alldredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847008019331163905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36634553414555848252010-07-06T10:22:43.510-04:002010-07-06T10:22:43.510-04:00[I am trying for the fourth time this morning to p...[I am trying for the fourth time this morning to post here - twice my comment was removed some minutes after it appeared.]<br /><br />I like Hallie's ALL POWER REALLY OFF button idea. Those little lights are on everywhere: the time on the microwave, radio, TV, clocks. It must add up. And I wish gas had stayed at $5/gallon. Finally SUV sales went down.<br /><br />I've been a clothesline user for decades, even hanging items sorted by owner and category. The only time the clothes dryer is on is dark damp December days, and even then I often hang laundry on a rack by the wood stove. I don't think I'd be able to live in a place that banned them. And I've been delighting in my Prius' summer mileage, averaging 62-63 mpg lately (Roberta, FYI, it's a very comfortable drive for long-distance, commuting, and around town).<br /><br />EdithEdith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58503488936514723232010-07-06T09:47:27.562-04:002010-07-06T09:47:27.562-04:00People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy...People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy use, but when asked to give up something or make adjustments that resolve goes out the window. Both GM and Ford upped their production of SUVs in 2010 because that's what sells. I see calls to turn off lights in office buildings at night yet go into any large city and you will see lights blazing 24/7 -- and no doubt the air conditioning is also blasting away, keeping the empty building nice and cool.<br /><br />Three relatively simple ways to cut energy usage: <br /><br />1. Cut back on your car use. Pressure your local city government to put more money in public transit, then use it. (Of the 6 members of my family, only 2 even own cars. I haven't owned a car in over a year. Sure, it's not always practical, but there are still people who won't go to the corner store without driving there in their car.<br /><br />2. Keep things longer. Instead of needing to buy the latest gadget every year, keep your TV, computer, car, clothes, everything a year, two years, longer.<br /><br />3. Buy locally. This is so simple, but is huge in two ways. You not only support your own community, but you cut down on shipping costs, another large consumer of energy.<br /><br />Sadly, I think I'm a pessimist. The only thing I think is going to happen is everyone will go back to what they were doing before and more oil wells will be opened, off shore and on because everyone wants someone else to make the sacrifices, and no one wants to make any themselves.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48773149329900434042010-07-06T09:46:32.538-04:002010-07-06T09:46:32.538-04:00People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy...People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy use, but when asked to give up something or make adjustments that resolve goes out the window. Both GM and Ford upped their production of SUVs in 2010 because that's what sells. I see calls to turn off lights in office buildings at night yet go into any large city and you will see lights blazing 24/7 -- and no doubt the air conditioning is also blasting away, keeping the empty building nice and cool.<br /><br />People are still buying large, single family homes which they don't need, space wise, but want for the prestige. Then they spend huge amounts of energy dollars maintaining pristine and sterile lawns instead of vegetable gardens. <br /><br />Three relatively simple ways to cut energy usage: <br /><br />1. Cut back on your car use. Pressure your local city government to put more money in public transit, then use it. (Of the 6 members of my family, only 2 even own cars. I haven't owned a car in over a year. Sure, it's not always practical, but there are still people who won't go to the corner store without driving there in their car.<br /><br />2. Keep things longer. Instead of needing to buy the latest gadget every year, keep your TV, computer, car, clothes, everything a year, two years, longer. We are manufacturing ourselves to death.<br /><br />3. Buy locally. This is so simple, but is huge in two ways. You not only support your own community, but you cut down on shipping costs, another large consumer of energy -- shipping goods and produce all over the world, storing it, keeping it cold or frozen, etc.<br /><br />Sadly, I think I'm a pessimist. The only thing I think is going to happen is everyone will go back to what they were doing before and more oil wells will be opened, off shore and on because everyone wants someone else to make the sacrifices, and no one wants to make any themselves.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4205399857628142272010-07-06T09:45:43.076-04:002010-07-06T09:45:43.076-04:00People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy...People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy use, but when asked to give up something or make adjustments that resolve goes out the window. Both GM and Ford upped their production of SUVs in 2010 because that's what sells. I see calls to turn off lights in office buildings at night yet go into any large city and you will see lights blazing 24/7 -- and no doubt the air conditioning is also blasting away, keeping the empty building nice and cool.<br /><br />People are still buying large, single family homes which they don't need, space wise, but want for the prestige. Then they spend huge amounts of energy dollars maintaining pristine and sterile lawns instead of vegetable gardens. <br /><br />Three relatively simple ways to cut energy usage: <br /><br />1. Cut back on your car use. Pressure your local city government to put more money in public transit, then use it. (Of the 6 members of my family, only 2 even own cars. I haven't owned a car in over a year. Sure, it's not always practical, but there are still people who won't go to the corner store without driving there in their car.<br /><br />2. Keep things longer. Instead of needing to buy the latest gadget every year, keep your TV, computer, car, clothes, everything a year, two years, longer. We are manufacturing ourselves to death.<br /><br />3. Buy locally. This is so simple, but is huge in two ways. You not only support your own community, but you cut down on shipping costs, another large consumer of energy -- shipping goods and produce all over the world, storing it, keeping it cold or frozen, etc.<br /><br />I remember a year or so ago when President Obama came out with some ideas on cutting our oil consumption, he was mocked and one Senator even attacked his proposal to buy smaller cars by crowing that he wasn't giving up his SUV. The whole oil crisis has become a political game with anything the current party in power suggesting being attacked no matter what the merit of the idea might be. Maybe if everyone told their local/state/federal representatives to knock it off and come up with solutions, not knee jerk attacks on the opposition just because they are the opposition, maybe some real action could be taken.<br /><br />Sadly, I think I'm a pessimist. The only thing I think is going to happen is everyone will go back to what they were doing before and more oil wells will be opened, off shore and on because everyone wants someone else to make the sacrifices, and no one wants to make any themselves.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68013531790637363962010-07-06T09:45:07.588-04:002010-07-06T09:45:07.588-04:00People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy...People give a lot of lip service to cutting energy use, but when asked to give up something or make adjustments that resolve goes out the window. Both GM and Ford upped their production of SUVs in 2010 because that's what sells. I see calls to turn off lights in office buildings at night yet go into any large city and you will see lights blazing 24/7 -- and no doubt the air conditioning is also blasting away, keeping the empty building nice and cool.<br /><br />People are still buying large, single family homes which they don't need, space wise, but want for the prestige. Then they spend huge amounts of energy dollars maintaining pristine and sterile lawns instead of vegetable gardens. <br /><br />Three relatively simple ways to cut energy usage: <br /><br />1. Cut back on your car use. Pressure your local city government to put more money in public transit, then use it. (Of the 6 members of my family, only 2 even own cars. I haven't owned a car in over a year. Sure, it's not always practical, but there are still people who won't go to the corner store without driving there in their car.<br /><br />2. Keep things longer. Instead of needing to buy the latest gadget every year, keep your TV, computer, car, clothes, everything a year, two years, longer. We are manufacturing ourselves to death.<br /><br />3. Buy locally. This is so simple, but is huge in two ways. You not only support your own community, but you cut down on shipping costs, another large consumer of energy -- shipping goods and produce all over the world, storing it, keeping it cold or frozen, etc.<br /><br />I remember a year or so ago when President Obama came out with some ideas on cutting our oil consumption, he was mocked and one Senator even attacked his proposal to buy smaller cars by crowing that he wasn't giving up his SUV. The whole oil crisis has become a political game with anything the current party in power suggesting being attacked no matter what the merit of the idea might be. Maybe if everyone told their local/state/federal representatives to knock it off and come up with solutions, not knee jerk attacks on the opposition just because they are the opposition, maybe some real action could be taken.<br /><br />Sadly, I think I'm a pessimist. The only thing I think is going to happen is everyone will go back to what they were doing before and more oil wells will be opened, off shore and on because everyone wants someone else to make the sacrifices, and no one wants to make any themselves.Pat Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08824114343214016153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75083933353751336432010-07-06T09:36:55.111-04:002010-07-06T09:36:55.111-04:00My husband and I made the decision to garden the o...My husband and I made the decision to garden the old fashioned way, without using any gas powered equipment, so we tilled our garden with rakes and hoes and now weed it either by hand or with a hoe.Kathy Thomasonhttp://brightfacedesigns.ecrater.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-41044123796472904362010-07-06T09:02:50.804-04:002010-07-06T09:02:50.804-04:00[I am trying for the third time this morning to po...[I am trying for the third time this morning to post here - twice my comment was removed some minutes after it appeared.]<br /><br />I like Hallie's ALL POWER REALLY OFF button idea. Those little lights are on everywhere: the time on the microwave, radio, TV, clocks. It must add up. And I wish gas had stayed at $5/gallon. Finally SUV sales went down.<br /><br />I've been a clothesline user for decades, even hanging items sorted by owner and category. The only time the clothes dryer is on is dark damp December days, and even then I often hang the damp items on a wooden rack by the wood stove. And I've been delighting in my Prius' summer mileage, averaging 62-63 mpg lately (Roberta, FYI, it's a very comfortable drive for long-distance, commuting, and around town).<br /><br />EdithEdith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66302107861067029342010-07-06T08:45:01.315-04:002010-07-06T08:45:01.315-04:00Great topic, ladies. I spend a lot of time at our ...Great topic, ladies. I spend a lot of time at our house in Italy. I am always taken back by my change in habits. Here in Connecticut I do run the AC (especially today at nearly 100 degrees) and I confess to not thinking too much about hopping in my car. <br /><br />Yet, in Italy where the cost of energy is so expensive, I do change my habits. Hallie, you are right. Gasoline costs nearly four times as much as here, electricity is frightfully expensive, and all the costs are translated into each product. Combine that with the euro/dollar translation- yikes, it adds up.<br /><br />Most people in Italy drive small cars. The refrigerators are smaller. The grocery shopping happens more frequently, yes that's time consuming, but the extras don't get lost in the back of the huge fridge- another kind of waste. <br /><br />So, the question I keep asking myself is: Why can I behave one way in one place and revert to American behavior when I'm here?Cassy Pickardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777179497200958899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66564959633666605492010-07-06T08:10:16.869-04:002010-07-06T08:10:16.869-04:00When I was working for an investment banking firm ...When I was working for an investment banking firm in California in the 1980s, one of our projects was looking at funding for wind energy. I even toured a windfarm near Palm Springs. What has happened with wind energy since then? Next to nothing. As Hank says, nobody wants a turbine in their back yard.<br /><br />I've lived in two Victorian houses over the last 20 years. Neither has been a suitable candidate for air conditioning. What they did have, though, is excellent cross-ventilation. Have we all forgotten how to open windows to catch the breeze? And shut them again once the day heats up? Now we think we should be able to do it all with a button.Sheila Connollyhttp://www.sheilaconnolly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60412029901703147652010-07-06T08:04:39.734-04:002010-07-06T08:04:39.734-04:00I like Hallie's OFF ALL POWER OFF button idea....I like Hallie's OFF ALL POWER OFF button idea. All those little lights on all the time: the clocks on the microwave, radio, TV. The power strip on. The digital clocks on. It's got to add up. I wish gas had stayed at $4/gallon. That's the only thing that has made SUV sales go down.<br /><br />I have been delighted with the summer mileage on my Prius - averaging 62-63 mpg lately (and Roberta, it is a comfortable ride for long trips, commuting, and around town). And I've been a devoted clothesline user for decades (I even hang items sorted by owner and category...). I don't think I could live in a place that banned it. The only time the clothes dryer comes on is rainy dark December days, and even then sometimes I hang the damp laundry on a rack by the wood stove, instead.Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47139516792437022362010-07-06T07:16:44.578-04:002010-07-06T07:16:44.578-04:00I like the Power OFF ALL OFF button idea, Hallie. ...I like the Power OFF ALL OFF button idea, Hallie. All those little lights on all the time - on the radio, the microwave, the clock, the computer - it's got to add up. And I really wish gas prices had stayed at $5 - that's the only thing that made SUV sales go down.<br /><br />I have been delighting in the summer mileage on my Prius - averaging 62-63 mpg lately! (Roberta, FYI: I find it comfortable for long trips, commuting, and around town.) And I have been a clothesline user for decades. The dryer is only on when it's raining on a dark December day, and even then sometimes I just put it all on a rack next to the wood stove.Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.com