How do we fix the energy problem in America?

Question

Oil will eventually run out in my life time. Is there any alternative fuels that could replace oil? what about plastic? Also right now, are there any eletric cars on the market? any additional info on any of these topics would be helpful

Answer 1

Plastic is made from oil, so that's not an option. Countries are starting to use bio-diesel to replace oil, but it's a horrible alternative because farmers stop growing food for us and use the land for making bio-diesel. It's causing food prices to rise, especially wheat. I think the best way is to use public transit or use a bike. As for electric cars, the Tesla is coming soon, I think, but it's only good if you live in an area that doesn't burn fossil fuels to create electricity.  Also, save energy by turning off your computer, lights and tv when you don't use them. It uses a lot of electricity. Electricity may run out too since everyone is going to start using more electricity. --- If you haven't already, go watch the movie Wall-E. It shows us how we will become in the future. It's not boring at all. I thought it was just about 2 little cute robots until i watched it. It's an awesome movie. =]

Answer 2

There are many things you can do. Drive the most fuel efficient vehicle you can afford, and drive in a way that conserves fuel, even a Prius isn't fuel efficient at 100mph. There are a few electric cars on the road, but many of them can't do highway speeds or have enough range for the average driver. The technology is improving, I just read that 2010 a couple electrics are expected to be out as well as plug in hybrids. The first Hydrogen Fuelcel sedan by Honda is going to be in limited release in LA.

Invest in renewable energy. If it is in your budget get solar PV or a wind turbine installed on your home. There are lease options in some areas for solar PV. If you don't own a home or that isn't in your budget now, check with your utility to see if you can buy "Green Power" that is a commitment from the utility to purchase renewable energy equal to the quantity that you use. It usually adds 1/2 to 2% to the cost of your electricity.

Avoid using plastis whenever possible. This may take some investment and lifestyle changes. I have reuseable bags for everything including produce. I buy my meat from a butcher that uses paper instead of plastic wrapping. I buy items out of the bulk aisle at the store and put into a cloth bag, you can get cereals, rice, flour, spices, sugar, cookies, candies, pasta and many other items.

Reduce food miles, buy locally grown food when possible. Even things like canned tomatoes can come from your state, or South America.

Make your home as energy efficient as possible, to conserve electricity, gas and water. Make use of natural light, heat and cooling. When doing any improvements make the most of your money and do them as energy efficient as possible.

Reduce, reuse and recycle- it uses less energy to recycle most items than to aquire virgin product. We need to quit throwing valuable resources into landfills, it's waste energy to mine more metals when we are throwing tons into landfills everyday.

One of my favorite sites is www.treehugger.com they have the latest on what is going on in the Green world.

Answer 3

stop using oil and send President Armenijihad of Iran a middle finger. smug little b*****d. don't we have covert ops that can take the fcuker out???

Answer 4

I currently run Bio Fuel (straight vegetable) in a 1999 Dodge 3500 truck. But all Cummins engines were modified from the factory to run on BioD since around 1992 without any modification.

Most vehicles are already equipped to run on Alternative Energy. In fact you’re probably even driving one right now and didn’t even know it. Go to www agua-luna com for a list of this vehicles

Ethanol doesn’t go bad like petroleum it’s just Alcohol. It’s what preserves your wine and gets better as the years go by.

Ethanol is a much cleaner fuel than petrol (gasoline):



It is a renewable fuel made from plants

It is not a fossil-fuel: manufacturing it and burning it does not increase the greenhouse effect

It provides high octane at low cost as an alternative to harmful fuel additives

Ethanol blends can be used in all petrol engines without modifications

Ethanol is biodegradable without harmful effects on the environment

It significantly reduces harmful exhaust emissions

Ethanol's high oxygen content reduces carbon monoxide levels more than any other oxygenate: by 25-30%, according to the US EPA

Ethanol blends dramatically reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, a major contributor to the depletion of the ozone layer

High-level ethanol blends reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 20%

Ethanol can reduce net carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100% on a full life-cycle basis

High-level ethanol blends can reduce emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by 30% or more (VOCs are major sources of ground-level ozone formation)

As an octane enhancer, ethanol can cut emissions of cancer-causing benzene and butadiene by more than 50%



Sulphur dioxide and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions are significantly decreased with ethanol.

Lastly and my favorite.. It can be made at home.

It will cost about $1.10 to $1.20/gal to make the alcohol from various feed-stocks like corn, barley, potatoes, or Jerusalem artichokes. You will also have by-products which you can sell or use as animal feed, reducing the total cost down to about $.95/gal.

Biofuel is recognized by both the US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy as an alternative fuel, and qualifies for mandated programs under the Clean Air Act Amendments and the Environmental Protection Act of 1992 (EPAct).

USDA Clears Air with Biofuel: Buses and other diesel-burning vehicles run cleaner if they mix biofuel with regular diesel fuel, said the US Department of Agriculture at a biofuel fuel seminar at a USDA research center.

Conversely most major automotive manufacturers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors, etc) recommend the use of bio fuels, and nearly every car manufacturer in the world approves ethanol blends in their warranty coverage.

In fact your probably even driving an ethanol car and didn't even know it.

The trick is finding fuel.

I've been producing biofuel for about 3 years now, it's not extremely difficult. Basically you need general household ingredients, a processor (or still for ethanol) and some used oil. Blend it, let separate, screen and use. I complied a guide a while back to help walk you threw the process step by step, just email me or check out..

www agua-luna com

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming!!!

Answer 5

You go back 30 years and let us drill in the Anwar......

Everyone said the Alaska Pipeline was bad for the environment and what happened?

Animals started to hover around it to keep warm.

We might have saved thousands of animals.