If you want to get people to conserve energy, you could always adopt the UK's current approach. This seems to involve ramping up the cost of gas and electricity by up to 35% every quarter, to the point where people are forced to conserve energy usage or face starvation through not being able to buy food - partially through energy bills taking up most of household finances, but also because the cost of food skyrockets through the massively increased cost to transport and refridgerate it.
Add in phenomenally expensive petrol prices through a government unwilling to reduce the 60-odd percent tax it adds to the base cost of it... and the choice is simple. Use less or be destitute.
There are hundreds of alternative ways to produce energy and vehicle propulsion systems. All of these
could be used in conjunction to eliminate the need for oil as a fuel source. But they won't be. Because, as we all know, it's easier to suck the planet dry than to consider using the free, renewable sources of energy - solar, tidal, geothermal, wind etc - to produce unlimited electricity... which
could be used to produce hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles. This would have the added benefit of neutralising vehicle carbon emissions, and emissions from power stations... helping to combat climate change.
But no, that's unfeasable because it requires money. And the vision to see beyond one person's or individual country's interests. We can't have the oil companies using the billions they make through profits to do something that might actually benefit them in the long run. No. It's easier to go scratching around in evermore remote, and ecologically sensitive areas in order to keep pumping out the black blood of the planet.
*sigh*
It makes me sad. There is so much that could be done... but won't be. Because we can't see past our own selfish desires... like China devouring everything because it thinks it has a right to the 'prosperity' the Western countries have.
"Well you did it, so why shouldn't we?"
"Because we screwed up the planet... and now so are you. Don't you see?"
*shakes head*
The answer isn't new ways of getting the last vestiges of oil, coal and gas from the Earth before it all goes to hell and we start killing each other for the final few drops... the answer is new ways of thinking and the courage to make the changes necessary to stop that from happening.
I just wish that people in power could see that and not just what will win them votes.
Anyone with the vision to take these steps will leave a far greater legacy in history than a fake tan and a stick-on smile.
