Asphalt

In a world of diminishing oil and natural gas production, it's safe to assume that we will need all of the land we have to produce food using non-industrialized farming methods. It might sound ridiculous now, but we'll probably need to rip out parking lots to do this (it's not like we'll be able to drive our cars on them anyway).

But here's what I'm wondering: what the heck are we going to do with all of that asphalt? And will we have enough machine power to remove it?

It's something to think about.

Peak Oil - Films to Wake the Sleeping

Valuesystem at livejournal has compiled a nice list of films and other media for those of you who want to know what peak oil is all about.



Netflix has "End of Suburbia" in their catalog. If you have Netflix, I recommend you put it on your list.

Right...."Hidden"

If you drive (or take bus 55) along Highway 89 in Fruit Heights you can see the recently built subdivision on the east side near the city's southern border named "Hidden Springs." Of course there's nothing hidden about this subdivision; it's clearly visible from the highway. And you can't miss the ugly tan stucco siding or the awkward roof lines. If you live in this new subdivision, the only public places you can walk to are Fruit Heights City Hall and the churches there on Mountain Road. If you live here, your kids can't walk to school or to the grocery store. It's another suburban noplace where the people are bound to their automobiles if they want to get anywhere or do anything.

So Hidden Springs is just one of the newest pieces of the unsustainable crapscape we've created here along the Wasatch Front.

Damn those text messages...

So the other day I received one of those chain text messages on my cell phone telling everyone not to buy gas on the 15th of this month.

Why are there still enough people delusional enough to believe that some sort of boycott will lower prices? Anybody who avoids buying gas that day will surely purchase it within a few days before or after. The oil companies have the half of a brain it takes to understand this.

If you really want to avoid forking over too much dough for gas, let's review some things you can do that really will make a difference.

1. Start walking to church. Yes, for some people church is too far for walking. However, I know way too many people who really do live just a block and a half away from church and drive regularly, even though they are perfectly healthy enough to walk and have hardly anything to carry. You know who you are.

2. If you live 15 miles away (or more) from work and commute by car five days a week, something has to give. Move closer to where you work, get a job closer to where you live, figure out how you can use mass transit, carpool, or work out some combination of the above. And if you live less than three miles from work, walk or ride a bicycle. No need for an expensive gym membership, and less money spent on gas. And less wear-and-tear on the car. It's a win-win-win solution.

3. Be aware when you drive. Are you accelerating to the speed limit so you can brake to a stop at the red light you can see from two blocks away? If so, please stop. Are your tires properly inflated? Are you letting the car idle while you chit chat with your neighbor who you're dropping off? Stop doing that too. And while you're at it, stop going on drives with friends just for fun. And if you have the chance to coast down a hill, even if it means going five under the limit, take your foot off the gas and let gravity do the work.

If anybody has any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments section.