This year’s Republican Presidential candidate, John McCain wants to drill for more oil in the Caribbean, but I ask, is that really such a good idea?
Yes, we need more fuel, but there are so much better choices than drilling for oil in the Caribbean. Why would we want to keep being dependent on oil? It’s getting more expensive every year, but so what if we find more? The cost will still keep rising, the only difference is that it’ll be rising at a slower rate. Why’s it bad if oil and gas prices rise at a slower rate? Well, it gives us more time to get used to the new prices before they go up again. In other words, gas prices can go up with hardly more than a sad moan. Surely no one wants to fall for a trick like that.
What of the waters along the hurricane-infested Gulf Coast? Won’t more oil rigs mean more chances for one to get hit every time a tropical storm or hurricane occurs? It’ll then leak its precious black goo into the Caribbean and contaminate the water. All that much more water and sea life wasted, plus when it happens, wouldn’t it make sense for the first thing to happen to be a jump in the price of all oil-based products? Imagine after every hurricane, the prices of gasoline, plastics, make-ups and whatnot going up. Wouldn’t it be easier to get it all over and done with at the same time?
Not to mention the fact that this Caribbean drilling plan still leaves us very much dependent on foreign oil from a region rocked by terrorist attacks on what seems like a daily basis. What’s more, America says it will not be denied access to Middle Eastern oil. China claims the same thing. Experts predict that in the next 20 years, there won’t be enough oil production capacity, even with the new drilling, to satiate both America’s voracious appetite for oil and China’s growing demand. So what happens then? Do the United States and the People’s Republic go to war? Not to mention other nations will fight over their remaining oil. That doesn’t seem like a particularly appealing future to me.
I actually support high oil prices because they’ll force us to confront the problem in a less apocalyptic way. I say we can stop this war from happening. We have the technology now. Instead of drilling for more oil, take this extra push to support things like electric or hydrogen vehicles.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Electric Cars
Today, I write about how electric cars are better than gasoline-powered cars.
First, electricity is cheaper than gasoline. Right now, gasoline prices, at least in America, averages about $4 a gallon. Now let's take a car, whatever car you want. Electricity gives a mile of travel for about 3 cents at current electric prices. That means that, for $4, a gas-powered car can travel about 35 miles, but an electric car can travel about 150 miles. Wouldn't you like at least 4 times as much milage per dollar for your car? Not only that, but gas prices will only continue to rise and the price of power, especially solar and wind, are expected to keep going down for a long time yet.
Environmentally? The electric car makes no emissions, which means you can take comfort in the fact that even while you're driving, you're doing something good for the environment.
Another good point about electricity is that it doesn't have to be imported, which means that it takes a huge burden off the local economy. More money stays close to home, which lets people where you live spend more on stuff other than fuel. Also, if cars use locally-produced energy, that can bring more jobs, most of them well-paying.
The slow, weak electric cars that inhabit most people's thoughts are a thing of the past. Battery quality and production cost've been improving for some time now, and will continue to improve. Translation: there's an electric vehicle that can all but beat even the best of its gas-powered counterparts. Examples are the Tesla roadster, which can compete with Lamborghinis and Porches, and the Killawatt racing motorcycle, which was only a hair slower than the best gas-powered motorcycle at the quarter-mile race.
It may take some people time to get used to the fact that the purr of the gas-powered car gets replaced by a low hum in electric cars, but overall, I would say electric cars are better, and that their progress shows no signs of slowing, so I would reccommend getting one when you can.
The Government, however, being as heavily inluenced by oil companies as it is, wants to keep the production of electric cars down, but a unified public can become even more influencial, so if you want to do some good, it only takes a few minutes to write to your government officials and express your desire to see the limits on electric car production lifted.
First, electricity is cheaper than gasoline. Right now, gasoline prices, at least in America, averages about $4 a gallon. Now let's take a car, whatever car you want. Electricity gives a mile of travel for about 3 cents at current electric prices. That means that, for $4, a gas-powered car can travel about 35 miles, but an electric car can travel about 150 miles. Wouldn't you like at least 4 times as much milage per dollar for your car? Not only that, but gas prices will only continue to rise and the price of power, especially solar and wind, are expected to keep going down for a long time yet.
Environmentally? The electric car makes no emissions, which means you can take comfort in the fact that even while you're driving, you're doing something good for the environment.
Another good point about electricity is that it doesn't have to be imported, which means that it takes a huge burden off the local economy. More money stays close to home, which lets people where you live spend more on stuff other than fuel. Also, if cars use locally-produced energy, that can bring more jobs, most of them well-paying.
The slow, weak electric cars that inhabit most people's thoughts are a thing of the past. Battery quality and production cost've been improving for some time now, and will continue to improve. Translation: there's an electric vehicle that can all but beat even the best of its gas-powered counterparts. Examples are the Tesla roadster, which can compete with Lamborghinis and Porches, and the Killawatt racing motorcycle, which was only a hair slower than the best gas-powered motorcycle at the quarter-mile race.
It may take some people time to get used to the fact that the purr of the gas-powered car gets replaced by a low hum in electric cars, but overall, I would say electric cars are better, and that their progress shows no signs of slowing, so I would reccommend getting one when you can.
The Government, however, being as heavily inluenced by oil companies as it is, wants to keep the production of electric cars down, but a unified public can become even more influencial, so if you want to do some good, it only takes a few minutes to write to your government officials and express your desire to see the limits on electric car production lifted.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
NiMH Batteries
I've had Nickel Metal Hydride rechargeable batteries for about 4 or 5 years. I got them so I wouldn't have to walk over to the store every time I needed new batteries. I recommend them for anyone who needs batteries, especially if you get free utilities. Despite the high initial cost of $27 for 4 batteries and the recharger, I've used them enough times to make it far more than woth the price. If I would've bought regular batteries, I would've probably spent at least a few hundred dollars on them so far, but my rechargeable batteries are sitll going strong.
Three Gorges Dam
I hate it. I know that as an American, I'm not supposed to care about what's happening in China, and that as an environmentalist, I should love the fact that it's replacing coal power, but still, it's destroyed hundreds, maybe thousands of towns, displaced millions of people, and made huge numbers of historical artifacts lost to us forever. I saw a show about it on Discovery Channel last night. It's almost finished, so I know I can't do anything about it now, but it's still sad. So many people will lose everything they've ever known and a culture whose remains were stumbled upon during construction are being lost to the water.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Go Solar
This was on the news Friday night:
The State says they will pay anywhere from 40-60% of the cost to have Californian homes install solar cells to generate power. There is also some sort of Federal tax credit to homes and businesses that generate solar power.
There were also some figures on emissions, such as the fact that homes equipped with solar capabilities reduce carbon dioxide output by an average of about 5 tons per house per year. That sounds impressive. Modern solar cells are said to last 25 years and actually be able to generate a profit for average households in sunny climates for about 15 years. That’s what I hear.
Need another reason to go solar? How about those annoying blackouts that happen on hot, sunny summer afternoons? You remember them, don’t you? It’s like 110, 120, you’ve got the air conditioner straining to keep your house cool when the power suddenly goes out and you have to wait a few hours for it to come back on again. Solar power is one of the ways you can help avoid that because, coincidetally, those hot, sunny summer days are when the most light would hit your solar cells and generate the most electricity.
The State says they will pay anywhere from 40-60% of the cost to have Californian homes install solar cells to generate power. There is also some sort of Federal tax credit to homes and businesses that generate solar power.
There were also some figures on emissions, such as the fact that homes equipped with solar capabilities reduce carbon dioxide output by an average of about 5 tons per house per year. That sounds impressive. Modern solar cells are said to last 25 years and actually be able to generate a profit for average households in sunny climates for about 15 years. That’s what I hear.
Need another reason to go solar? How about those annoying blackouts that happen on hot, sunny summer afternoons? You remember them, don’t you? It’s like 110, 120, you’ve got the air conditioner straining to keep your house cool when the power suddenly goes out and you have to wait a few hours for it to come back on again. Solar power is one of the ways you can help avoid that because, coincidetally, those hot, sunny summer days are when the most light would hit your solar cells and generate the most electricity.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Giving the Earth a Christmas Present
Christmas is under 6 weeks away now. Have you gotten your Christmas tree and wrapping paper and everything yet? Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannukah or another holiday, you can help the world while you celebrate.
Christmas Trees
If you’re thinking of getting a Christmas tree, I’d like to suggest something better. If you buy a new tree every year, that means another tree has to be cut down every year. So here’s my suggestion: Get a potted sapling or at least a synthetic tree. Either way, you can reuse it year after year if you like. With a potted sapling, though, you can plant it in the ground somewhere like in your back yard, so that it will help clean the air.
Gift Wrap
People use lots of gift wrap for Christmas and Hannukah, too. I suggest you try to use a gift bag instead, since they can be reused. If you do use gift wrap, please don’t just throw it out when you’re done. Find out if there’s a recycling center near you that can recycle gift wrap, and if there is, do it.
Send an E-card
All the paper cards that get sent require lots of trees to be cut down and place a HUGE burden on the postal system. As with all of cyberspace, e-cards don’t require trees to be cut down, not to mention all the letters get sorted much more quickly and efficiently.
Carpooling
During the holidays, there is a migration of epic proportions, people going from one house to another. I remember last Thanksgiving, while going where I was going, people were calling in to the radio station, saying how it was taking 5 hours just to get from Riverside to San Bernardino, California (a distance of about 15 miles). Traffic was awful everywhere else, too, because so many people were going from place to place in their own cars. You can help reduce this kind of horrible condition. If you know someone who is passing by your house to go the same place you’re going, I suggest calling them up to arrange a ride. You can save money on gas by doing so, too.
One last thing, if you’re not sure, save yourself the trouble and don’t make a fruitcake. It’ll most likely go to waste.
Christmas Trees
If you’re thinking of getting a Christmas tree, I’d like to suggest something better. If you buy a new tree every year, that means another tree has to be cut down every year. So here’s my suggestion: Get a potted sapling or at least a synthetic tree. Either way, you can reuse it year after year if you like. With a potted sapling, though, you can plant it in the ground somewhere like in your back yard, so that it will help clean the air.
Gift Wrap
People use lots of gift wrap for Christmas and Hannukah, too. I suggest you try to use a gift bag instead, since they can be reused. If you do use gift wrap, please don’t just throw it out when you’re done. Find out if there’s a recycling center near you that can recycle gift wrap, and if there is, do it.
Send an E-card
All the paper cards that get sent require lots of trees to be cut down and place a HUGE burden on the postal system. As with all of cyberspace, e-cards don’t require trees to be cut down, not to mention all the letters get sorted much more quickly and efficiently.
Carpooling
During the holidays, there is a migration of epic proportions, people going from one house to another. I remember last Thanksgiving, while going where I was going, people were calling in to the radio station, saying how it was taking 5 hours just to get from Riverside to San Bernardino, California (a distance of about 15 miles). Traffic was awful everywhere else, too, because so many people were going from place to place in their own cars. You can help reduce this kind of horrible condition. If you know someone who is passing by your house to go the same place you’re going, I suggest calling them up to arrange a ride. You can save money on gas by doing so, too.
One last thing, if you’re not sure, save yourself the trouble and don’t make a fruitcake. It’ll most likely go to waste.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Stem Cell Research
Stem cell research is the topic of much debate, of course. Many of its opponents rest on the belief that it is immoral. I, however, hold that it is beneficial and I’ll tell you why.
Yes, why is it OK?
Well, scientists get the stem cells from an unthinking, unfeeling cluster of a few stem cells before they change into actual organ cells. I hear stem cells can also be taken from umbelical cords and scientists are also experimenting with replacing the DNA in a cow stem cell with human DNA, effectively turning it into a stem cell for humans. Is everyone with me so far? OK, stem cells don’t have the capability to even be aware of its existance, therefore, it won’t matter to it if it gets used for research. Yes, it cares about as much as your blood cells care. A stem cell’s only function is to reproduce and eventally change into something different, about the same as a germ.
Scientists separate the stem cells and begin research on them before they change into something else, so they are still just an unthinking, unfeeling cluster of a few cells, and it is done in an effort to cure diseases in humans that have the ability to be aware of such things. That is why I say stem cell research should be allowed. Besides, if we ban stem cell research, what do we abandon next? Soaps? Vaccines? The effort to cure cancer and AIDS? Should we die because some people say studying or neutralizing certain types of cells is immoral?
Yes, why is it OK?
Well, scientists get the stem cells from an unthinking, unfeeling cluster of a few stem cells before they change into actual organ cells. I hear stem cells can also be taken from umbelical cords and scientists are also experimenting with replacing the DNA in a cow stem cell with human DNA, effectively turning it into a stem cell for humans. Is everyone with me so far? OK, stem cells don’t have the capability to even be aware of its existance, therefore, it won’t matter to it if it gets used for research. Yes, it cares about as much as your blood cells care. A stem cell’s only function is to reproduce and eventally change into something different, about the same as a germ.
Scientists separate the stem cells and begin research on them before they change into something else, so they are still just an unthinking, unfeeling cluster of a few cells, and it is done in an effort to cure diseases in humans that have the ability to be aware of such things. That is why I say stem cell research should be allowed. Besides, if we ban stem cell research, what do we abandon next? Soaps? Vaccines? The effort to cure cancer and AIDS? Should we die because some people say studying or neutralizing certain types of cells is immoral?
Monday, November 06, 2006
Voting Day
Tomorrow is voting day throughout America. There are a few things I'd like to say before everyone goes out to vote, though.
First of all, study the propositions that will be on the ballot before you commit yourself. There is often an attractive idea paired up with a not-so-attractive one. It's up to you to decide whether the good outweighs the bad.
Your vote does count. Remember, you may help push a measure to victory or defeat by your actions. Its fate isn't decided until the end of the day.
Everyone has a right to vote. Well, all law-abiding citizens do. If you're registered to vote, don't be afraid to march right up to the poll and fill out your ballot.
If you don't have anything to say, don't vote. Casting a random vote is worse than not casting one at all. If you don't know or don't care about a measure, please leave that spot blank. I'm sure we want what's best for us, not just random, arbitrary laws.
Now that I've said that, I have one last comment:
Happy voting! :)
First of all, study the propositions that will be on the ballot before you commit yourself. There is often an attractive idea paired up with a not-so-attractive one. It's up to you to decide whether the good outweighs the bad.
Your vote does count. Remember, you may help push a measure to victory or defeat by your actions. Its fate isn't decided until the end of the day.
Everyone has a right to vote. Well, all law-abiding citizens do. If you're registered to vote, don't be afraid to march right up to the poll and fill out your ballot.
If you don't have anything to say, don't vote. Casting a random vote is worse than not casting one at all. If you don't know or don't care about a measure, please leave that spot blank. I'm sure we want what's best for us, not just random, arbitrary laws.
Now that I've said that, I have one last comment:
Happy voting! :)
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