Quote:
Originally Posted by erps
so then we'll switch, when it's cheaper to do so rather than trying to get the last couple of drops of the cheap stuff out of the earth.
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That attitude worked out well for the American car companies! They will switch to more efficient cars....when people stop buying the existing models, right?
Ok, even though I can BS on any subject, Energy is my life calling and work...I have made my living in the field for over 30 years.
So, a little education for you....
Changing directions in something like energy takes DECADES. You don't wake up one day and say "oh, oil is now $5 so we will head in another direction".
As one example, it is estimated that the Prius is about 10 years ahead of other competitors in hybrid cars.
It is EXACTLY the attitude of "we'll fix it later" that get's us in so much trouble! That means passing on the problems to your and my children, and it also means we end up dead last in the race of nations.
This cannot be solved by brute force. It takes time. All of the new programs that are finally being put into place now will take 20-30 years or more to come to full fruition. A side benefit may be less CO2, but the main benefit is less pollution, more stable prices, less tearing up of the landscape (coal mines), etc.
Global Warming or not, man made or not, there is no downside to harnessing technology and intelligence to meet our energy needs.
The attitude of "we want the cheapest price all the time" is just like saying "My kid has the money to buy a lot of candy bars, so therefore it must be good for him to buy and eat them". Not true.