So, Oil will run out or be unviable to obtain within 50 years and proabbaly nearer 30 if India, China and Russia continue their present expansion rates. In Brazil cars have been running on a form of fuel derived from sugar cane. Recently a Uk company AB foods has decided it will invest in research of trying to obtain bio-ethanol from Sugar Beet. The is a great start but needs to be supported by governments with tax breaks and investment. Why is there no tax on aviation fuel? THe true cost of lfying is not being paid by today's consumer but will ultimately be paid for by future generations through increased insruance and power costs.
Solar
Why can't the deserts be converted to giant solar farms? I appreciate that a lot of energy is dissipated when it is transported but it is free energy!!
To be honest though the real source of the problem is that we are using too much energy. Air conditiong is a prime example of where this increase in energy usage is going and also provides an excellent example in the loop of global warming. Why is it that the two related problems of glabal warming and resource consumption seem to be treated as one issue. There is too much foncus on the very narrow topic of carbon emissions and not enough discssion of the wider issues.
For example, we are encouraged to insulate our homes but no-one is being told of the dangers to personal health of doing so. The rates of cancer, asthma and eczema are on the rise and it has been argued that this is partly due to us living in 'closed spaces'. We rely on heating rather than clothing, we block up chimneys, close windows, insulate walls, and lofts all in the name of reducing our emissions, but what about the human problems? Reducing carbon emissions is a quick fix that doesn't get tot he root of the problem - over consumption.
