Oil-besotted place:Just a cyclist living here

[lph]

We haven't reached the tipping point. I've just read "The tipping Point", can you tell?

Seriously, I'm convinced it will happen, because it has to happen. I hope it will happen before it has to, because then we have a chance of "controlling" the situation, or at least adapting to it without too much upheaval. In the meantime I think every step in the right direction is a step towards the tipping point, whether it's a small personal step or a big step involving many people.

And there's no doubt that it will cost, in terms of unpopular and difficult decisions. But we are supremely adaptable as a species.

And if you all think this sounds like a lot of hot air, it's because I don't know anything about the specifics of the situation you're discussing so I'm theorizing freely

[shootingstar]

In the meantime I think every step in the right direction is a step towards the tipping point, whether it's a small personal step or a big step involving many people.

It is happening when it is happens, when people are personally affected.

I am certain the 2 proposed pipelines --1 running from Alberta oil tar sands right across east to west to the British Columbia coast and the 2hd straight south from northern Alberta right through the U.S. south...: seems Sooooo far away to TE members here.

Fine.

However the oil and energy industry is so powerful, so pervasive...that some of us here in TE forums, choose not to even talk about it. Just so complex...and some perhaps a (distant?) personal stake..where family members or friends are directly working in these industries.

For the longest while dearie, did not want it mentioned in his bio profile that he did work for an oil firm even after he retired...quite a number of years ago.

[OakLeaf]

Well, I don't want to beat this to death, but it isn't pie in the sky or some imaginary hippie future. It's now.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/20...il-or-gas-jobs

And this is in spite of the massive tax subsidies and externalities exclusions to the fossil fuel industries, compared with much smaller support to renewables (at least in the USA for both - I don't know how the comparison shakes out in Canada). Yes, there is a lack of political will, that comes from some very specific reasons, but the need for jobs and human health is beginning to outstrip lobbyists' influence.

[smilingcat]

Why have we not developed alternative energy in last 30 years??

first of all, oil companies have too much to lose when we get off our addiction to oil. They will only go kicking and screaming like a two yo.

The technology is there. We just need to develop it. Only exception is nuclear and fusion technology. Both are not practical.

Examples of why things have not progressed.

Let's see back in the '30s or was it earlier, oil companies and other automobile companies bought up the trolly system in Los Angeles and proceeded to dismantle it. They wanted to sell cars and oil. Not for people to commute on a mass transit system.

Who killed the electric car? also a movie by that name worth watching.

NiMH battery patents and rights were bought up by you guessed it, oil company. And they sat on it until it expired. This precluded the development of NiMH battery and for its use in EV. look up on history of NiMH battery. Chevron is still mucking with it.

I think solar cells are only relevant where there isn't much of wind. I think we should be looking at different aspect of renewable energy instead of just electricity. We could be using solar heat to heat our water and to heat our house. Saves lot of energy!! and its lot cheaper than solar cell to generate electricity.

yes its one of my hot button.

[shootingstar]

Our organization has the role of being on the regulatory side on some matters with the oil and gas companies.

So even if I wanted to ignore, not hear about the industry, I can't.

[NbyNW]

... and when it's -30C, the locals will do everything they can to hasten global warming.