Interview with Maine man preparing for the future (via CNN)

danbloom · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 54

Iver Lofving, a teacher in Skowhegan, Maine and a forum member here, was recently interviewed on CNN for an international news story seen around the world in over 100 countries. Deborah Feyerick was the reporter on air.

See CNN news story here: (thanks, Revi) http://www.peakoil.com/article39512.html

As a followup to the CNN segment, I interviewed Iver by email and he kindly replied as follows:

Danny Bloom: How did that CNN story come about?
Iver Lofving: I was asked by another member of the peak oil forums to talk to the reporter from CNN.

Danny: Did you know the reporter beforehand, or how did she find you?
Iver: I was given the contact info by that other peak oil forum member who suggested me to the CNN producer.

Danny: When did they film it?
Iver: They filmed it on a Tuesday, and it was on air on CNN by Thursday morning the same week.

Danny: How did CNN find you -- by email or phone or what?
Iver: I called them up after getting their contact info and telephone number from that other forum member.

Danny: What did you think of the CNN story on TV after you saw it?
Iver: I liked it. I think that they did a great job.

Danny: Did the reporter leave anything out, did she go too far, or did she not go far enough in reporting the "news" of what's coming in the future?
Iver: Yes, I think she did a good job of presenting the peak oil problem. None of us knows exactly what is coming in the future, but it looks like there will be less oil.

Danny: What impact do you think this CNN story, seen arond the country and around the world , will have on people worldwide, and especially in America and Canada?
Iver: I hope a few people saw it on TV and started thinking. I don't know what impact it will have, but at least the words peak oil have made it to the mainstream media via this CNN report.

Danny: If things get worse, as some people say they might, where will most of your food come from?
Iver: I hope to shop at the farmer's market here in Maine and trade for a lot of it. We make maple syrup, so maybe we can barter some of that for other things. I would like to have a bigger garden. We'll do a lot more processing at home, like baking bread.

Danny: And not just you there in Maine , but where will the food come from for people who live in large cities like New York or Chicago or Taipei?
Iver: I really don't know where it will come from. Maybe there will be local food coming from closer places. Things that keep like grain could still be moved by ships.

Danny: Do you believe it is too late to save the planet?
Iver: I think the planet will be fine. I worry about the people on it.

Danny: Do you believe that we are past the point of no return?
Iver: I don't think that there is a point of no return. We will have to try to make this place work. There is always hope.

Danny: When do you think things will begin to get really bad and desperate?
Iver: I think that things could get really bad and desperate for some people this winter of 2008-2009. The cost of heating oil has doubled here in Maine in the past year. A lot of people had a really hard time getting through last winter. How are they going to pay for oil when it has doubled?

Danny: Where do you stand on all this, in terms of peak oil and survivalism and getting ready for what comes next, Iver? Do you feel the US government, and other governments around the world, from Russia to China to France and Germany, will be powerless to stop what is to come?
Iver: Yes, it's coming now. They could get everyone into insulating and get mass transit back together. We should really save ourselves, though. The government isn't going to do it.

Danny: Where you quoted correctly in CNN story?
Iver: Yes. I don't really consider myself to be a survivalist, but otherwise the parts that they quoted were pretty accurate.

Danny: Do you have anything else to add here as a new comment for online readers around the world in terms of what you think they should be doing to prepare for such a future?
Iver: I think the time is now to do something. Grow a garden, put in more efficient light bulbs and appliances, insulate, get a bicycle and a pressure cooker and learn to like beans and rice. We're headed for some rough times. Get to know your neighbors and shop locally. Most of all have fun doing it!

Danny: Two quick last questions. Do you follow any specific religion?
Iver: Yes, I am a Universalist Unitarian.

Danny: Have you read Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" yet?
Iver: Yes. I really liked it even though it was the darkest book I have ever read. It is the ultimate "uh-oh" book. These are books that you can't put down, but have a lot of parts where you say "uh-oh" out loud.

Danny: Thank you, Iver, for your time and patience in answering these questions by email, from Taiwan to Maine, via cyberspace...
Iver: Thank you.

CROSS-WEBLINKED AT:
http://northwardho.blogspot.com/2008/06/interview-with-iver-lofving-in.html

Pops

Personally I think All The Pretty Horses is more instructive.
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Make a plan and work it:

danbloom · Tar Sands Joined: Jun 01, 2008 Posts: 54

As a backgropunder to the CNN interview, here is what Iver wrote earlier, before the interview took place:

BigTex

GeoJAP

I'm a total noob in this regard I guess, but what is a pressure cooker? Unless it's a BBQ grill then it is alien. Smile

coastie · Coal Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 7

What is that little solar car he had? Looks interesting. Is that fellow a member here?

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3112 Location: Maine

A pressure cooker allows you to cook beans and other things much quicker and with less energy than a regular pot. I used to use one all the time when I lived in Guatemala.
Try the black turtle beans. Put in a garlic clove and some chili powder. Serve with corn tortillas, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream (or crema fresca if you have it) Yum!

I like to use cast iron dutch ovens and cook New England beans outside too. Add lots of maple syrup and possibly rum. Soak the beans first. Try the Kennebec Bean company for beans.
Just another of my peak oil hobbies.
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Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

GeoJAP

DomusAlbion

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3112 Location: Maine

LocalFutureGrandRapids · Coal Joined: Apr 08, 2008 Posts: 10 Location: grand rapids

Great vid Revi. I just about fell out of my chair when they gave our group some free publicity. When they have the websites being shown on screen they actually click on our groups founder's video. His name is Aaron Wissner and is also a teacher here in Michigan. Too funny, he's going to get a real kick out of this one. His video was on CNN and he didn't even know it. Great house -

Eric

mos6507

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3112 Location: Maine

We're trailering it, but I guess you could get there if you went 30 miles a day and recharged at night. We are going to use it around town here and maybe once in a while go up to our woodlot which is 3 miles away.

It looks like it's almost time to have one of these not just as a curiosity. It will get about 30 miles to a charge and it only costs about 30 cents for a full charge plus what you get from the sun.

A penny a mile for transportation isn't bad.
_________________
Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

coastie · Coal Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 7

What can it carry for a load?

misterno