[JeffC_]

Sneuman, I believe that has much to do with North Americans'' having, historically speaking, abundant natural resources, so see no need to husband those resources. Much of America''s approach to energy use, IMHO, simply has to do with the lack of incentive to be efficient.

I''m not a pessimist, just a keen student of human nature. Until folks actually feel a hit in their wallets, lifestyles or national prestige (remember the Space Race?), efficient ways to produce/store/use energy will remain undeveloped or under-utilized, and those who go outside the mainstream will be regarded as a bit kooky.

The implications for the sailing fraternity are self-evident.