I think this is the beginnings of an economy based on perpetual growth and fossil fuel energy running headlong into geological energy constraints. Basically I see an undulatory downward path for the rest of my life. From here out, I think any rallies in our economic condition are going to be met with spiking commodity prices that knock us right back down.
Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 5928 Location: New Jersey
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
I regret to inform everyone that I will not be able to contribute to the national news investigation. It poses something of a conflict of interest to my employment, because I found out late last week something I'm involved in at work may attract national attention. Don't worry - it's good for my career, and it has nothing to do with PO.
Thanks for supporting me. DP. _________________ It's already over, now it's just a matter of adjusting.
Joined: Apr 12, 2007 Posts: 1185 Location: Central NC
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
DantesPeak wrote:
I regret to inform everyone that I will not be able to contribute to the national news investigation. It poses something of a conflict of interest to my employment, because I found out late last week something I'm involved in at work may attract national attention. Don't worry - it's good for my career, and it has nothing to do with PO.
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
I'm talking to them tomorrow, so watch for it this week. I think I'll talk to them about the problem and what can be done about it by regular middle class people. Here's what I'll say, if they want:
Peak Oil Visit
Peak oil is the point when we have used up half of the world’s oil. It is also the point when we hit maximum production. From here on out we will get less, and the demand will increase. This will drive up the price. At some point it will be difficult for middle class people to afford to drive a regular car and heat their house exclusively with fossil fuel.
We saw this coming five years ago and made some changes to prepare for it. We now use half the fossil fuel. We save about $3000 a year from the changes we’ve made.
1) We traded both our cars for the most fuel efficient models we could get. My wife’s car gets 43 mpg, and my small truck gets 29 miles per gallon.
2) We insulated the basement and wrapped the hot air ducts. We replaced windows and caulked any place we felt a draft. We insulated the attic also.
3) We cut our electricity costs by getting a new high efficiency washer, energy efficient appliances and compact florescent bulbs. We switched to green power that has saved us money since it’s locked in for a three year contract.
4) Installed a small woodstove near the thermostat. The room the stove is in stays warm, and attracts every person and pet in the house, while the rest of the house stays cooler.
5) Bought a woodlot and have harvested it sustainably for over 7 years. We make maple syrup there as well.
6) Built the solar wood shed to hold and dry a cord of wood.
7) Installed solar hot water system, makes around 2/3rds of our hot water. Our teenager can take a long shower if he wants when the sun has been shining!
Installed a solar panel that runs LED lights, charges cell phones and runs CD player.
9) We live in town and walk most places. There is a farmer’s market every week where we buy local produce.
10) We are getting a solar electric car that will get the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon.
11) We grow a garden that provides some of our veggies.
12) Our house is only around 1000 square feet, which is what the average American lived in up until the 1950’s. It is easier to heat a small space.
Al of these things are fun, and they save energy and money. Try them!
Peak oil is a problem that isn't going away. Better do something about it while you still have some time and money. Once energy gets expensive it's going to be hard to make changes.
That's what I am thinking of saying. I think the mention of peak oil will have them looking around for it, and they'll find out what it's all about.
I will try not to sound like a wacko, and to get the message to a wider audience.
Maybe they will get it. Who knows?
It may be just a minute or so. _________________ Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.
Joined: Dec 18, 2004 Posts: 4886 Location: One Mile From the Columbia River
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
Revi, I like it. Important stuff only. You may have to prioritize even more. You know CNN will!
I particularly like the immediate mention of 'peak oil'. Those two words should be the first words out of your mouth, after 'hello' and all that. I also like the 'buy locally' idea. Maybe point out buying recurring needs within walking or biking distance, maybe. _________________ Got Dharma?
Joined: Aug 03, 2006 Posts: 4331 Location: Graceland
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
Revi wrote:
I'm talking to them tomorrow, so watch for it this week. I think I'll talk to them about the problem and what can be done about it by regular middle class people. Here's what I'll say, if they want:
Peak Oil Visit
Peak oil is the point when we have used up half of the world’s oil. It is also the point when we hit maximum production. From here on out we will get less, and the demand will increase. This will drive up the price. At some point it will be difficult for middle class people to afford to drive a regular car and heat their house exclusively with fossil fuel.
We saw this coming five years ago and made some changes to prepare for it. We now use half the fossil fuel. We save about $3000 a year from the changes we’ve made.
1) We traded both our cars for the most fuel efficient models we could get. My wife’s car gets 43 mpg, and my small truck gets 29 miles per gallon.
2) We insulated the basement and wrapped the hot air ducts. We replaced windows and caulked any place we felt a draft. We insulated the attic also.
3) We cut our electricity costs by getting a new high efficiency washer, energy efficient appliances and compact florescent bulbs. We switched to green power that has saved us money since it’s locked in for a three year contract.
4) Installed a small woodstove near the thermostat. The room the stove is in stays warm, and attracts every person and pet in the house, while the rest of the house stays cooler.
5) Bought a woodlot and have harvested it sustainably for over 7 years. We make maple syrup there as well.
6) Built the solar wood shed to hold and dry a cord of wood.
7) Installed solar hot water system, makes around 2/3rds of our hot water. Our teenager can take a long shower if he wants when the sun has been shining!
Installed a solar panel that runs LED lights, charges cell phones and runs CD player.
9) We live in town and walk most places. There is a farmer’s market every week where we buy local produce.
10) We are getting a solar electric car that will get the equivalent of 250 miles per gallon.
11) We grow a garden that provides some of our veggies.
12) Our house is only around 1000 square feet, which is what the average American lived in up until the 1950’s. It is easier to heat a small space.
Al of these things are fun, and they save energy and money. Try them!
Peak oil is a problem that isn't going away. Better do something about it while you still have some time and money. Once energy gets expensive it's going to be hard to make changes.
That's what I am thinking of saying. I think the mention of peak oil will have them looking around for it, and they'll find out what it's all about.
I will try not to sound like a wacko, and to get the message to a wider audience.
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:45 am Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
Yes, Sheila is coming this afternoon. I am going to mention peak oil in the first minute, explain it and then move on to what we've done. I am a bit nervous, but Art is showing up with the solar car, and we'll shoot from 1:30 until 5. I think it will be a little spot on the news some time later this week.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I'll try to represent peak oil well.
As Andy Warhol said, everyone gets 15 minutes of fame. _________________ Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
It was fun. We spent about three and a half hours talking about peak oil and what can be done about it. I guess it will be a two minute story on CNN. It is supposed to be on CNN money on Thursday or Friday morning. They kept trying to make me into a survivalist. I said that we do want to survive, but then so does everyone. I showed them the house and the solar car, then we went up to the woodlot where I split up some wood. I think that they will have some shots of a plate I made about peak oil, and I explained it some.
We had some footage of the peak oil group in there as well.
I think it will be an interesting piece that might get some people talking about peak oil. We'll see.
It sounded like she was interviewing some other people as well. It might be a series. I can't wait to see what they use.
They run a tight ship, I can tell you that. We had the whole thing wrapped up pretty quickly. They had an idea of what they wanted and set up the shots to get it. I was very impressed. _________________ Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.
Joined: Dec 08, 2004 Posts: 1634 Location: Nez Perce Nation
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:56 pm Post subject: Re: I need a volunteer for a national news interview today!
Fantastic. I hope we at PO can get a copy of the video for Peak TV. Some of us do not have CNN or any television for that matter. _________________ "Modern Agriculture is the use of land to convert petroleum into food."
-- Albert Bartlett
"It will be a dark time. But for those who survive, I suspect it will be rather exciting."
-- James Lovelock
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Then stop driving to work, duh..... 
Installed a solar panel that runs LED lights, charges cell phones and runs CD player.
