Herbert makes the case that major solutions to energy challenges lie in energy efficiencies and are worth another look. Good source quotes.

This is an important opinion piece that challenges a nation to conserve a commodity that is, literally, killing us slowly like a nicotine habit. Nicotine and gasoline addiction have much in common, including the inability to function without it even though conscious of its effects on ourselves and others, especially children, whose future hinges on whether we see the obvious, most logical solution: conservation. Jerry Brown does deserve credit for bringing this notion into the public ... More »

Great article right on the money and coming from a perspective that isn't often considered

It's good because it really goes to the heart of the problem. Lack of leadership and negative leadership have combined to mean that if and when we start on efficiency and conservation we'll be 35 years behind the curve. Remember "drive 80 and freeze a Yankee" bumperstickers? We were deluded into thinking that the good cheap oil times could roll forever. And we're still looking for ways to keep them rolling, rather than look at alternatives.

The only way the much needed efficiencies will be obtained is if the public buys the more efficient refrigerator/car/etc rather than the cheaper inefficient model. The only way the public will buy the more efficient model is if they perceive that in the long run they will save money by using less energy. The only way that they will percieve that there is an energy saving to be made is if the price of energy remains high. Then with the decreased demand for energy the price will ... More »

This is a very good article which cuts to the chase on energy supply and demand issues. Conservation is the key to cutting energy usage. The government and private enterprise can (potentially) produce vast amounts of energy, but unless we practice conservation a rising population and the proliferation of electronic devices will simply eat up any surplus.

Herbert makes some good points, and leaves out some good points. The framing of the problem is more than alternative fuels, it is also renewable non-carbon energy sources and protecting the atmosphere and oceans from excess carbon dioxide that brings on global climate change and acidifies the oceans. Conservation is the cheapest and quickest path to reduced fuel use, but if it still puts carbon in the air the scientists say we are in trouble. The other major problem he does not ... More »

Herbert is right on. An energy efficiency retrofit of an existing building can reduce energy consumption by 30 to 50% and pays for itself in lower energy bills within 3 to 10 years (or even faster for large commercial buildings). By contrast, installing solar PV panels on the roof of a home takes about 20 years to pay for itself. That's not to say solar should be passed by - solar and other renewables absolutely need to be developed and expanded - but energy efficiency is really the hidden gold.