Clean Energy - for Earth Day

[Bigdog]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

It's a bit unfair pointing a finger at the developing countries that use a mere fraction per capita that we do (USA #1, Canada #2).

We can hope they are more efficient than us. But, if they were to one day reach our scope, and be twice as efficient (like the Japanese), both India and China would each be using 2x the energy as the USA.

Gary

Yeah not sure were you have been for the last 5 years, but China pegs the top of every chart now relating to polution. Their government simply does not care what anyone outside of China thinks, and anyone inside would dissapeer if they tried to make noise about it!

[camper]

Originally Posted by Bigdog

Yeah not sure were you have been for the last 5 years, but China pegs the top of every chart now relating to polution. Their government simply does not care what anyone outside of China thinks, and anyone inside would dissapeer if they tried to make noise about it!

It's not just that, but in the past 5 years the Chinese are *gasp* buying cars for themselves instead of mopeds and bicycles. You've got a country that far exceeds the US population, so much so that if only 13% go to a 2 car family that number will exceeds the ENTIRE US population. Plus, all those toy factories that produce lead-painted kids toys consume a lot of oil and they have more industry than every other country combined--at least the US, since we don't really produce anything anymore.

Once India becomes a bit more industrilaized, look out. They'll make China look like Al Gore's environmental wet dream. Their 'wealthy' is roughly our middle class, and they have so many people that are so obscenely poor that they would probably be willing to work in plants the chinese would walk out of. Of course, India also needs to get to the point where you can count on electricity for more than 8 hours a day, and running water for more than 4.

~Camper

[groovyone]

While it is true that those two are worse, does that mean we shouldn't make an effort? My neighbor throws out stuff that can be recycled, doesn't mean I shouldn't bother.

I do still drive my 12MPG car on occasion and yes, I have a gas trimmer and mower, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't still make an effort in other areas. Sorry, but my V8 is not going anywhere yet.

The purpose of my thread was not to tell people YOU HAVE TO DO THIS. I just wanted to throw the information out there, since many people may not know their options.

[actionhank]

Cool. But another PS3 and start folding, or build a farm out of dual cores.

But at a higher price, I still can't see mass market adoption unless it is cheaper.

[camper]

Originally Posted by groovyone

While it is true that those two are worse, does that mean we shouldn't make an effort? My neighbor throws out stuff that can be recycled, doesn't mean I shouldn't bother.

I do still drive my 12MPG car on occasion and yes, I have a gas trimmer and mower, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't still make an effort in other areas. Sorry, but my V8 is not going anywhere yet.

The purpose of my thread was not to tell people YOU HAVE TO DO THIS. I just wanted to throw the information out there, since many people may not know their options.

No, people definitely should make the effort. We recycle, buy only energy efficient appliances, and have moved to flourescent/LED bulps when possible or practical.

Still, we have gas mower/trimmer/tractor, an SUV (our climate dictates a 4x4) and we use disposable diapers. There's no doubt we should take care of the environment, but some people take it to extremes.

My comment above was more to point out the 'american environmentalist egotism' that is essentially saying "America has the biggest impact on the world...see how WE are responsible for global warming?" It's kind of funny (to me) in a very ironic way, especially since every environmental type I've ever known is disgusted at what they call American egotism in thinking that the US is the best country on earth, and how those who are patriotic ignore the role of other countries in the grand scheme of things.

~Camper