Get out the bikes! Gas $4.09/gal in Seattle.

[Jolt]

I think part of the problem we have in North America is that we are so spread out in some areas. I'm looking for a bike suitable for commuting, but my commute is less than 2 miles. I'm less than a mile from a grocery. I live in town. But I know people who are many miles from either. Often those in more densely populated areas don't get that.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. In a lot of areas, things just aren't set up in a way to be conducive to walking or biking to get to work or get errands done. My parents and two sisters, for example, live in western NJ and it's a fifteen-minute drive (and not because of stop and go) just to get to the grocery store, Walmart etc., and a lot of those trips are along a busy, high-speed route. Not the best setup for utility cycling, and plus it's VERY hilly (puts the Worcester area to shame in that department!!) to boot.

[GLC1968]

Exactly my thoughts.

Interesting times ahead.

Interesting and a bit frightening.

[Grog]

Interesting and a bit frightening.

If you really want to scare yourself (although it will be less scary now that you live in the PNW, to a point), go read
The Long Emergency
by James Howard Kunstler.

He's bringing together global politics, urban studies, climatology, and oil depletion theories in a very skilful way. Frankly it's quite pessimistic but it ends on a positive note. I reread bits of it last night and I find that it's a good mental exercise to see things differently once in a while. It's easy to take our environment for granted...

[GLC1968]

If you really want to scare yourself (although it will be less scary now that you live in the PNW, to a point), go read
The Long Emergency
by James Howard Kunstler.

He's bringing together global politics, urban studies, climatology, and oil depletion theories in a very skilful way. Frankly it's quite pessimistic but it ends on a positive note. I reread bits of it last night and I find that it's a good mental exercise to see things differently once in a while. It's easy to take our environment for granted...

That's funny. I just got his other book (the novel: A World Made by Hand) delivered yesterday. I've read a lot of other things on that same topic, but I've not read his book in particular. I'll have to see if the library has a copy. I can guess what the positive note at the end is...does he see that happening in our lifetime, or do we just get to experience the frightening part?

[redrhodie]

If you really want to scare yourself (although it will be less scary now that you live in the PNW, to a point), go read
The Long Emergency
by James Howard Kunstler.

He's bringing together global politics, urban studies, climatology, and oil depletion theories in a very skilful way. Frankly it's quite pessimistic but it ends on a positive note. I reread bits of it last night and I find that it's a good mental exercise to see things differently once in a while. It's easy to take our environment for granted...

+1. Kunstler's unfortunately hitting the nail right on the head with his predictions. I do hope he's wrong about the ability of someone to find a reliable, renewable, affordable alternative to fossil fuels. I agree it's unlikely to happen soon enough, though.

[mimitabby]

+1. Kunstler's unfortunately hitting the nail right on the head with his predictions. I do hope he's wrong about the ability of someone to find a reliable, renewable, affordable alternative to fossil fuels. I agree it's unlikely to happen soon enough, though.

thanks for the book recommend. i'm reading it now on google books. Hopefully it's the whole book

[GLC1968]

thanks for the book recommend. i'm reading it now on google books. Hopefully it's the whole book

Thanks for pointing this out, Mimi! I'm going to try to read it on Google and save the trip to the library for later.

[mimitabby]

no, you can only read a certain number of pages. then it stops and tells you to order the book
owell

[Grog]

That's funny. I just got his other book (the novel: A World Made by Hand) delivered yesterday. I've read a lot of other things on that same topic, but I've not read his book in particular. I'll have to see if the library has a copy. I can guess what the positive note at the end is...does he see that happening in our lifetime, or do we just get to experience the frightening part?

His "happy" comment is about how it might provide us for opportunities to create new solidarities and renew our communities in a much richer way than is the case currently.

We might rise to the challenge... maybe!