03-30-2009, 05:01 PM
Don't know where you are haning out, CJ, but as far as messages containing environmental guilt trips, just about every PSA I've ever seen attempts to lay a guilt trip on the folks. From energy conservation to recycling, they'd have you believe it's all our fault. Doom if you don't conserve.
I've heard the warnings for over 50 years, but nothing was done. I grew up in a house that was built in the 20's that had solar water panels. The technology was there, but the incentive was not. Energy was cheap so solar heat fell by the wayside. Now we all pay the consequences.
We've become enchanted with energy consuming gizmos like food processors, trash compactors, electric can crushers, yadda yadda. I don't own any of these things. I can slice and dice vegies just fine with a knife. I can stomp a soda can or milk jug with my foot. Little things that add up.
I built 5 gold star energy efficient house 25 years ago. External house wrap to conserve heat/cold, wrapped the water heater and installed a timer on it, put in a programmable thermostat, paddle fans in every room, installed tinted windows, oriented my house on the lot to make the most of shade from trees, double insulated the attic and interior walls, low flow water everywhere (except the toilets, because I wanted to flush once not twice). I turn off lights, hang stuff to dry rather than use the dryer and all the other "normal" things you do to conserve energy, but even my attempts to conserve will not rescue my utility bill from cap and trade. The CEO of our local electric co-op has already told us to expect our electric bill to triple by 2012 if clean coal is off the table.
I've heard the warnings for over 50 years, but nothing was done. I grew up in a house that was built in the 20's that had solar water panels. The technology was there, but the incentive was not. Energy was cheap so solar heat fell by the wayside. Now we all pay the consequences.
We've become enchanted with energy consuming gizmos like food processors, trash compactors, electric can crushers, yadda yadda. I don't own any of these things. I can slice and dice vegies just fine with a knife. I can stomp a soda can or milk jug with my foot. Little things that add up.
I built 5 gold star energy efficient house 25 years ago. External house wrap to conserve heat/cold, wrapped the water heater and installed a timer on it, put in a programmable thermostat, paddle fans in every room, installed tinted windows, oriented my house on the lot to make the most of shade from trees, double insulated the attic and interior walls, low flow water everywhere (except the toilets, because I wanted to flush once not twice). I turn off lights, hang stuff to dry rather than use the dryer and all the other "normal" things you do to conserve energy, but even my attempts to conserve will not rescue my utility bill from cap and trade. The CEO of our local electric co-op has already told us to expect our electric bill to triple by 2012 if clean coal is off the table.